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Colorado Rockies: Who could benefit the most from a 29-man roster?

By Noah Yingling

SAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 7: Jeff Hoffman #34 of the Colorado Rockies pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park September 7, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 7: Jeff Hoffman #34 of the Colorado Rockies pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park September 7, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /
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Josh Fuentes of the Colorado Rockies
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 12: Josh Fuentes #8 of the Colorado Rockies bats 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) /

Josh Fuentes

The Rockies won’t only need some extra pitchers but also some position players. Josh Fuentes is one that would be toward the top of the list, if not the top man.

Fuentes made his MLB debut last season for the Rockies and struggled a bit. He hit .218/.232/.400 in 56 plate appearances.

He played better in Albuquerque, though, as he hit .254/.298/.448 with 17 home runs and 64 RBI in 101 games. He won the Pacific Coast League’s MVP award in 2018 when in 135 games, he hit 14 homers, 95 RBI, 39 doubles, 12 triples, and he hit .327/.354/.517.

Fuentes can help back up in the infield as he can play third and first base. He wouldn’t necessarily be a backup for the middle infield positions but Daniel Murphy, Garrett Hampson, Tony Wolters, and our next candidate could also help out.

Chris Owings

Chris Owings was a non-roster invitee to spring training for the Rockies this season and particularly with the expanded rosters, he may find himself on the Rockies roster on Opening Day.

In 2019, he split the season with the Kansas City Royals and Boston Red Sox and he really struggled at the plate. He hit .139/.209/.233 with an OPS+ of 17.

Obviously, that would not be a good reason for making the team and he has never been a great offensive player (71 OPS+ in parts of 7 seasons).

In short, he’s versatile. He played every position besides catcher and first base last season and the Royals, in spring training, played him at first base. The Rockies also played him at first base in Spring Training as well. In 10 games (25 plate appearances), he hit .360/.429/.560 with a home run, three RBI, and two doubles.

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