Colorado Rockies: Scott Oberg on how 2020 could benefit Colorado

For Colorado Rockies pitcher Scott Oberg, a different start to the season is something he believes he and the Rockies could benefit from in 2020.

Speaking to the media after working out at Metropolitan State University in Denver, Colorado Rockies pitcher Scott Oberg talked not only about what it has been like to restart spring training, but also how playing the upcoming 60-game season after working out at altitude could be a plus for the team in 2020.

At an elevation of 1,319 feet, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Ariz., has prepared the Rockies for their season since it opened in 2011. From there, the Rockies have opened the season on the road for the last eight seasons (and were scheduled to start the 2020 campaign in San Diego and move on to Los Angeles before returning to Denver and altitude).

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Now, with the Rockies working out at Coors Field rather before beginning the 60-game sprint for the postseason, Oberg believes the team may not suffer from spending so much time away from being at a mile high before returning home.

"“I think it will play well for us,” Oberg said. “We are in a unique situation that we get to practice in our home ballpark in our home altitude for the first time than we have in years prior where we are always doing our spring training in Arizona and usually start on the road for a week and then kind of get hit in the face by the altitude a little bit when we come back home.“Having these three weeks is actually I think really going to be beneficial for our pitchers to really hone in and lock in on their breaking pitches. It will definitely help our hitters get readjusted and reacclimated to our ballpark. I think it will give us a little bit of an advantage going forward. You never really know what’s going to happen in a 60-game season.”"

The 30-year-old Oberg posted a 6-1 mark and 2.25 ERA last season in 49 games before undergoing a procedure to eliminate blood clots in his right arm in mid-August. Having established himself as one of Colorado’s most reliable and consistent options out of the bullpen over the last two seasons, Oberg understands just how important health is, not only in the midst of a pandemic but in any other season as well.

However, living with three autoimmune diseases and having a daughter who is approaching two years old, Oberg’s senses are keenly aware of just how vital it is to stay safe this year and what needs to be done to make that a reality.

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"“For my personal and safety health aspect, being in that high-risk category, it’s just a matter of sticking with the protocols that are in place,” Oberg said. “Holding myself to a little bit of a higher standard. Wearing my mask, no matter where I’m at. I’m not really trying to take too many chances with too many things. I’m always washing my hands and hitting up the (sanitizer) dispensers we have around the clubhouse. Trying to do as many little things as I possible can to keep myself healthy moving forward.”"

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