Colorado Rockies: Predicting the Opening Day 30-man roster

Here is our prediction for what the Colorado Rockies Opening Day roster will look like when the team takes the field in Arlington, Texas, on Friday for the season opener against the Texas Rangers.

With the start of the 2020 season comes a 30-man roster for the Colorado Rockies and the rest of Major League Baseball. As a reminder, two weeks after the season opener, the Rockies will slice the roster to 28 players. Two weeks after that, the roster shrinks to 26 for the rest of the season (although a 27th man would be added if the Rockies were playing a double-header).

So who will be on that 30-man roster? Here are our predictions, starting with the infield.

Infielders (6): Nolan Arenado, Josh Fuentes, Ryan McMahon, Daniel Murphy, Brendan Rodgers, Trevor Story

Thought process behind the selections: Three players who are entrenched at a certain position (Arenado, Murphy, and Story) while the three others on the list can play multiple positions. Fuentes and Rodgers will get the chance to quickly improve upon 2019 campaigns that were less-than-stellar MLB debuts.

Infielders/Outfielders (2): Garrett Hampson, Chris Owings

Thought process behind the selections: Speaking of versatility, Hampson and Owings will likely see time all over the diamond in 2020. Can Hampson pick up where he left off in September? Can Owings continue his impressive display at the plate in Spring Training 1 and 2? Don’t be surprised if one of these players is in the Opening Night lineup.

Outfielders (5): Charlie Blackmon, David Dahl, Sam Hilliard, Matt Kemp, Raimel Tapia

Thought process behind the selections: Kemp could become the most pivotal signing the Rockies made in the offseason. In his short time with the team, he’s shown the bat is still there and, even at age 35, he can make an impact.

Will Blackmon be conditioned enough to start in right field on July 24? He looked good in the field in Saturday’s intrasquad scrimmage at Coors Field in the field and at the plate so it’s certainly a possibility.

Those are the two veterans of the group, while Dahl, Hilliard, and Tapia provide youth and plenty of intrigue. Can Dahl continue his All-Star pace from the first half of last season? Can Tapia take the next step? Can Hilliard continue his September stretch of power?

Catchers (2): Drew Butera, Tony Wolters

Thought process behind the selections: Elias Diaz will likely be on the taxi squad and available at a moment’s notice if needed or if the Rockies want to make a switch behind the plate. Butera has impressed in Spring Training 2 at Coors Field (including a power-showing double to left in his first at-bat on Saturday night) and played first base for the Purple team in that same game, showcasing his ability to fill in at another spot if needed.