Colorado Rockies: Our staff season projections and bold predictions

Luke Mullins

The 2020 season might be the hardest Rockies season to predict in perhaps a decade. On one hand, the team lost 91 games last year. However, it could be argued that the team that lost those games was not an accurate reflection of the talent on the roster. Injuries, substandard performances, and the loss of all five members of the starting rotation sank a Colorado club many believed was a potential championship contender a year ago.

So was 2019 an anomaly or the beginning of the end? From where we stand a little over a month away from the opening pitch of 2020, the best we can do is guess. The Rockies have the talent on their roster to be a very good team if that talent can live up to its potential.

That’s not to say there aren’t still holes on this roster. The rotation in particular is a pretty big question mark. But if the results follow the talent that we know is there — Kyle Freeland, German Marquez, and Jon Gray can be dominant pitchers at the Major League level — this team has the chance to surprise some people.

Colorado Rockies

I could honestly see this team winning 90 games or losing 90 games in 2020 and the deciding factor will be a couple of bounce-back performances from some key players. But spring training is all about optimism so I’ll lean toward that position and project the Rockies finishing 88-74 in 2020.

Bold prediction: The Rockies will have a new superstar by the end of the 2020 season.

Regardless of the team’s record, the Rockies have always found a way to hit. Even if the club struggles, 2020 will bring a new superstar to 20th and Blake.

Much like Trevor Story’s breakout campaign in 2016, one of the Rockies’ young position players is poised to burst onto the scene this summer. Whether it’s Ryan McMahon building off a strong 2019, or Garrett Hampson, Sam Hilliard, or Raimel Tapia securing an everyday role, or Brendan Rodgers finally showing fans what all the hype was about, there will be a new jersey climbing up the Rockies’ top-sellers list.