Colorado Rockies: 3 more questions left unanswered this spring

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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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.

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