Colorado Rockies: Our first prediction of the 2020 Opening Day roster

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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 25: Tony Wolters #14 of the Colorado Rockies reacts to the bases runners on base against the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the fifth inning at Oracle Park on September 25, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

As March begins, it’s time for us to take our first look at what the Opening Day roster might look like for the Colorado Rockies when they open the regular season in San Diego on March 26 against the Padres.

This season, Major League Baseball teams will have a 26-man roster when the season opens. That will like be evenly split between 13 pitchers (maximum) and 13 position players. The Colorado Rockies will have to make some decisions on who will make their Opening Day roster on their pitching staff and the extra man on the roster will be an interesting decision for Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black to make as the season gets closer.

We will dive into that in just a moment. However, let’s start our first prediction for the roster by looking at the two men we believe will be behind the plate for the Rockies to start the season.

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At catcher, we’re predicting Tony Wolters and Elias Diaz. Certainly Drew Butera and Dom Nunez are options for the Rockies. However, Diaz has quickly proven his worth to a position that needs offensive improvement in 2020, going 5-for-8 heading into Sunday’s action. Wolters has gone 447 consecutive plate appearances without barreling the baseball and had just one homer last season. Defense is obviously a key behind the plate but the Rockies need a boost at the plate from the position as well as Diaz has shown early in spring training he can provide that.

Butera and Nunez will start the season at Triple-A, giving the Rockies a chance to have their young pitchers work with a veteran catcher (Butera). It will also give Nunez more time to work on his development.

What about the rest of the position players? Let’s dive in.

DENVER, CO – JULY 16: Ian Desmond #20 and Daniel Murphy #9 of the Colorado Rockies celebrate scoring on a Desmond home run, tying the game in the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field on July 16, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Infield

Daniel Murphy, Ryan McMahon, Trevor Story, Nolan Arenado, Chris Owings

Outfield

Charlie Blackmon, David Dahl, Raimel Tapia, Ian Desmond, Sam Hilliard

Outfield/infield

Garrett Hampson

Analysis: Your starting infield of Murphy (first base), McMahon (second base), Story (shortstop), and Arenado (third base). Owings provides the versatility (he’s played second, shortstop, and outfield in his career and the Rockies have been giving him time at first base at the start of spring) and veteran factor that the Rockies love so much. He has started slow in spring training but don’t be surprised when he makes the squad. McMahon can also float between first, second, and third when needed.

Hampson also brings versatility with the ability to slot into the infield or outfield when needed.

In the outfield, Blackmon will start in right, Dahl in center, and left will be a platoon between Tapia, Desmond, and Hilliard. Other than Blackmon, all of the outfielders can be interchanged in their positions as well.

The bottom line? Colorado has a solid lineup but questions remain. Can Murphy put together a better, healthier season this year? Can Hilliard keep impressing with more at-bats outside of September? Can Desmond be used efficiently against left-handers? Can Tapia be more consistent? Can Hampson provide a spark as he did in September?

There are plenty of questions and Colorado will need the answers to be better than they were last year during a 71-91 campaign.

DENVER, CO – AUGUST 16: Scott Oberg #45 of the Colorado Rockies pitches against the Miami Marlins at Coors Field on August 16, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Rotation

Kyle Freeland, Jon Gray, German Marquez, Antonio Senzatela, Ubaldo Jimenez

Bullpen

Yency Almonte, Wade Davis, Jairo Diaz, Carlos Estevez, Jake McGee, Scott Oberg, James Pazos, Bryan Shaw

Analysis: Some bold predictions here so let’s dive in.

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Yes, I think Jimenez gets the fifth starter role to begin the season. I think the Rockies are looking for some consistency in that five spot and they’re not going to get it to start the season with Jeff Hoffman, Peter Lambert, or Chi Chi Gonzalez. I believe Lambert and Gonzalez will start the season at Triple-A and the Rockies will finally pull the plug on Hoffman and DFA him rather than carry him into the season.

Do I think this rotation will stay intact the whole season? No, I think Lambert and Gonzalez will be a part of the rotation’s story before the season is over. Consistency has to come out of all parts of the rotation for the Rockies to have a shot at a winning campaign.

In the bullpen, the Rockies are backed into somewhat of a corner with high-priced veterans (Davis, McGee, and Shaw) and those players without options (Almonte, Diaz) as virtual locks for the roster.

However, like the offense, if Davis, McGee, and/or Shaw can bounce back from last season and Oberg can continue to be a force, the back end could be a plus. If Diaz and Estevez can harness their potential, it makes some of the veterans expendable if they can’t perform this season.

Next. Looking at Sam Hilliard's potential with this year's Rockies team. dark

Pazos makes the roster as the only other left-hander in the bullpen besides McGee.

Note: We will update our predictions next week from Rockies spring training in Scottsdale, Ariz.

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As March begins, it’s time for us to take our first look at what the Opening Day roster might look like for the Colorado Rockies when they open the regular season in San Diego on March 26 against the Padres.

More from Rox Pile

Schedule