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Colorado Rockies: 3 more questions left unanswered this spring

By Kevin Henry |
DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 25: Starting pitcher Kyle Freeland #21 of the Colorado Rockies throws in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Coors Field on May 25, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 25: Starting pitcher Kyle Freeland #21 of the Colorado Rockies throws in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Coors Field on May 25, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 23: An overhead view of the Oakland Athletics and Arizona Diamondbacks as they stand for the national anthem prior to the spring training game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 23, 2020 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 23: An overhead view of the Oakland Athletics and Arizona Diamondbacks as they stand for the national anthem prior to the spring training game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 23, 2020 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

When spring training came to a sudden halt, there were still plenty of questions left unanswered for the Colorado Rockies.

In yesterday’s article, we touched on three questions involving the Colorado Rockies that we still needed to have answered when spring training resumes (whenever that might be). Today, we will look at three more questions we have about certain players on the team and roster construction.

Let’s start behind the plate where the battle for backup catcher didn’t have a resolution during spring’s first installment. With Tony Wolters entrenched as the Opening Day starter, there are still questions about who from the trio of Drew Butera, Elias Diaz, and Dom Nunez will serve as Colorado’s second backstop.

On the offensive side of the equation this spring, Butera is 4-for-12 at the plate with a pair of homers and six RBI. Diaz is 9-for-21 with three RBI while Nunez is 3-for-15 with a homer and four RBI.

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But there’s the defensive and chemistry sides of the equation to take into account as well. We talked to Diaz and Freeland about how they have meshed in the spring and we know Butera and Nunez both have prior experience catching the Rockies.

From what we saw during our trip to Scottsdale, we think Diaz had a slight edge in the backup battle when the team broke camp. We’ll be watching on what happens when they get back together in Scottsdale once Major League Baseball gives the green light for teams to start interacting and practicing again.

However, despite all of our analysis, the creativity award for staying focused during the offseason could well go to Butera.

DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 12: Josh Fuentes #8 of the Colorado Rockies plays first base during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Coors Field on September 12, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Cardinals defeated the Rockies 10-3. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 12: Josh Fuentes #8 of the Colorado Rockies plays first base during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Coors Field on September 12, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. The Cardinals defeated the Rockies 10-3. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Who will take the final 26-man roster spots?

There are still plenty of questions on roster spots for the Rockies outside of the catcher position as well.

For instance, in the outfield, it’s widely believed that Opening Day’s outfield will consist of Charlie Blackmon, David Dahl, and Ian Desmond. Raimel Tapia will also be on the roster.

But who else might see time in the outfield? Garrett Hampson is battling to make the roster with the skills to play both infield and outfield. Sam Hilliard was impressive with his power in September and has hit a pair of homers this spring (but also struggled with a .176 average in 34 at-bats). Yonathan Daza is praised for his defense and has hit .414 this spring in 29 at-bats.

In the infield, Nolan Arenado, Trevor Story, Ryan McMahon, and Daniel Murphy will be throwing it around the horn on Opening Day. But will Hampson be on the roster in a backup role to help in the infield and outfield? Offseason pickup Chris Owings is hitting .360 in spring (25 at-bats) and has versatility as well. Josh Fuentes can play both corner positions and is hitting .300 in 30 at-bats.

If you include two catchers, four starting infielders, three starting outfielders, and Tapia, that’s 10 of the 13 position players already allotted on the roster. That also means those three remaining spots will come down to who can flash the best set of skills when spring training kicks back in.

If you want to see our latest predictions on who will be on the Opening Day roster, just click here.

DENVER, COLORADO – MAY 30: Starting pitcher Kyle Freeland #21 of the Colorado Rockies throws in the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field on May 30, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO – MAY 30: Starting pitcher Kyle Freeland #21 of the Colorado Rockies throws in the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field on May 30, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Is Kyle Freeland really back?

The answer to this question could be one of the biggest keys to Colorado’s chances at an improved record in 2020.

As we know, Freeland worked in the offseason to make his delivery “more fluid” and took out the pause he exhibited in his first three seasons in the Majors. Through two spring starts, the results of the new delivery were encouraging.

Freeland debuted on February 27 with two innings of one-hit, one-run ball against the Oakland A’s before having to leave with back spasms. He returned on March 8 with three innings against the Cleveland Indians, allowing two hits and one run.

One of the numbers to watch this spring for Freeland is the number of home runs allowed. In both spring outings, he gave up a solo home run. This comes after a 2019 season where the Denver native allowed a career-high 25 home runs. His 2.16 home runs per nine innings rate was the fifth-highest in Major League Baseball and was the highest rate in the National League.

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Even with a change in his delivery, Freeland still has to hit his spots to be successful. So far this spring, he has done that with mixed results. Can his pitch location become even finer in the “second spring training” so Freeland can be at his most effective during the season? We’ll be watching to see.

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