Colorado Rockies: Five bold predictions for the 2019 season

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Opening Day has happened and baseball is officially back. The Colorado Rockies are in a special position, looking to build on the success from the previous two seasons, and looking for more sustained production from their young squad.

The Colorado Rockies find themselves in a truly unique position. The franchise is coming off back-to-back playoff appearances and will look to continue building on the growth from the past two seasons.

A young core led by newly re-signed All-Star and hopeful MVP candidate Nolan Arenado, armed to the teeth with a potent lineup and a pitching staff who seem to have finally figured out the drudge of pitching at Coors Field, Colorado is in a prime spot to do some damage this season.

There are many things fans can hang their hats on when it comes to this team. Many things that have happened the past two seasons should hopefully continue into the new year. However, there are spots where the team will continue to grow and mature. That being said, here are five bold predictions for the Rockies in 2019.

(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

German Marquez reaches 250 strikeouts

A bright spot in 2019 for the budding Rockies was indeed German Marquez. The now 24-year-old is coming into his third full season in the big leagues and with that comes high expectations. Marquez reached the pinnacle of his career in 2018, helping as one of the main cogs the team to reach the postseason for a second straight year.

Marquez set career highs in every pitching category, finishing the year 14-11 with a 3.77 ERA across 33 starts. Record aside because, let’s face it, pitchers’ win-loss records are less critical, Marquez didn’t just break the single-season strikeout mark set by former starter Ubaldo Jimenez, he crushed it.

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By the end of the season, Marquez finished with 230 strikeouts. The year before, in his rookie season, Marquez set a respectable number with 147 strikeouts, making this all the more special. Regarding his FIP and xFIP, Marquez produced so well he decreased his totals to 3.40 and 3.10, respectively.

In the grand scope of things, everyone was talking about fellow fireballer Kyle Freeland after his dominant performance throughout the season. However, it became Marquez who stole the show. Most importantly, his strikeout percentage increased, moving from the 21.2% rate he recorded two seasons ago, to a most impressive 28.2% rate.

As Marquez is seemingly set up to continue to leap forward as a starting pitcher, the prediction of 250 strikeouts is within reach for the young righty. From 2017 to last season, Marquez increased his whiff rate from a respectable 9.1% to an exceptional 12.5%. He also decreased his contact rate both inside the strike zone and outside. Inside the zone, Marquez saw a drop from 89.4% to 85.5% and an outside zone contact rate from 58% to 49.7%.

The most significant advantage for Marquez to reach this number is of course health and sustained production. If he can once again surpass 30 starts, it is possible. In spring training, Marquez recorded 19 strikeouts over 15.1 innings so fans should be excited at this prediction becoming a reality.

Trevor Story records a >20% strikeout rate

While we are on the subject of strikeout rates, Trevor Story is someone who immediately comes to mind. As Rockies fans know, Story dramatically broke onto the scene in 2016, first making the club out of spring training to follow it up with two opening day home runs off one of the best pitchers in the game in Zack Greinke.

Story was on a torrid pace in his rookie season before a torn UCL in his left thumb derailed the remainder of his year. With high hopes heading into his sophomore year, Story underwhelmed slashing .239/.308/.457 with a 34.4% strikeout rate. It was disappointing as Story was one of the most electric rookies the year before.

Kyle Freeland wins 22 games … and the N.L. Cy Young

Rockies fans need not be reminded about the years of disastrous starting pitching that has come through the hallowed walls of Coors Field. Sure, there have been some quality starters who have produced quality seasons, but it stops there. Now, finally, it seems as though Colorado has begun to figure it out and it continues with their young star Kyle Freeland.

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Freeland made his debut for the Rockies in 2017, starting 28 games as a rookie and finishing the year with a respectable 4.10 ERA. Honestly, what more could you ask for the Denver native who lived out a lifelong dream of pitching in front of his hometown on a regular basis?

Last season, however, Freeland took his game to another level and it was glorious. In 33 starts, Freeland entrenched himself in the National League Cy Young talks, as he finished with a 2.85 ERA, winning 17 games as well as pitching the team past the Chicago Cubs in the National League Wild Card game.

Freeland increased his strikeout percentage from 15.6% in his rookie season to 20.5% last season. He also decreased his walk rate from 9.2% to 8.3% as well as his HR/FB clip from 12.5% to 8.5%. To add to it, last season in 93.2 innings pitching in Coors, Freeland posted a ridiculous 2.40 ERA.

As of now, Freeland is off to a solid start. His Opening Day gem helped start the Rockies off in the right direction, and he will hopefully continue to build on his beginning. It is apparent Colorado finally has their “ace.”

Peter Lambert wins a game for the Rockies

This one is easily the boldest of the bunch. Peter Lambert currently ranks as the club’s number three overall prospect and looks to build on his strong spring. Just 21 years old, the former second-round pick pitched well last season between time in Double-A and Triple-A.

In 92.2 innings at Double-A, Lambert finished with a strong 2.23 ERA with a 3.04 FIP and 3.47 xFIP, respectively. He posted a 21% strikeout clip and allowed a free pass to just 3.4% of batters faced.

Lambert struggled after receiving his promotion to Triple-A, pitching to a 5.04 ERA across 55.1 innings. His strikeout rate unfortunately dropped while his walk rate increased. However, he did still limit his home run number and kept his HR/FB rate to 9.3%.

The Rockies dealt with injuries last year as well as inconsistency from Jon Gray. Unfortunately, the reality does exist that injuries could occur this season which could help pave a path for Lambert to receive a late-season call-up. Depending on where Colorado is late in the season, as well as how he produces this season, Lambert could find himself called up. I believe he will make at least one start and win a game at the Major League level.

(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Colorado represents the National League in the World Series

It’s been 12 long seasons since the Rockies represented the National League in the World Series. However, this is the year it will happen again. The club has made back-to-back playoff appearances, and are moving into a potential golden age of baseball in the Mile High City.

Anchored by All-Star and top MVP candidate Nolan Arenado, Trevor Story, and a solid starting rotation, expectations are high. Colorado’s youth movement is in full effect, and the club brass is finally, and smartly, deciding to give fans what they want moving forward.

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The team is off to a rousing start after their Opening Day victory in Miami. While the Los Angeles Dodgers still represent the most forceful presence in the division and are one of the top teams in the league, the Rockies are now not far behind.

Hold onto your seats, Colorado. It’s about to be a thrilling ride.

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