Colorado Rockies spring training: Studs and duds so far

Colorado Rockies Opening Day at Coors Field is right around the corner and we couldn’t be more excited! With only two weeks left, we’re literally counting the days and looking at the Rockies’ spring training “studs and duds” so far.

Who has impressed so far for the Colorado Rockies in spring training?

Studs

Center fielder Jameson Hannah, 23, has undoubtedly shown up this spring. He currently holds a batting average of .400 through 12 games played, raking in five RBI and a home run as part of his four overall hits. His OPS is beautifully higher than average, sitting at 1.200. Hannah has yet to make an appearance in a Major League game, but if he keeps up this level of play the rest of spring and in the minors, he might just make his MLB debut sooner than later.

Catcher Dom Nunez, 26, has an OPS of 1.143 and a batting average of .389 over nine games played. Nunez carried 39 plate appearances for the Rockies during the 2019 regular season, but only logged a batting average of .179. It will be interesting to see Nunez get more chances for the Rockies in 2021.

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Last, but certainly not least, outfielder Yonathan Daza, 27, is batting .433 through 15 games played. In 2019, Daza was only able to swing a batting average of .206 with an OPS of .494, but he could well get another shot this year after no appearances in the 2020 regular season.

Duds

Shortstop Eric Stamets, 29, has put up an ugly .059 batting average through 15 games played. To add salt to the wound, his OPS painfully sits at .209. I wouldn’t expect to see Stamets get the call up anytime soon.

First baseman Greg Bird, 28, has recently mentioned that the opportunity to play with the Rockies is saving his career, according to an article in the New York Post. He mentions being plagued by a number of injuries that prevented him from reaching his highest potential since being drafted by the New York Yankees in the fifth round of the 2011 draft. Although he didn’t make his MLB debut until getting the call-up in 2015, he ended that season with a batting average of .261 and an OPS of .871.

This spring, Bird has put up a batting average of .148 and has a slightly less lousy OPS at .509.

Finally and perhaps most surprisingly, well-respected right fielder Charlie Blackmon, 34, has started slow, posting a batting average of .136 and an OPS of .345. We all know Blackmon has a much better game than what we’ve seen so far this spring and could well start the season as hot as he did last year when he flirted with .400 early on.

While we try not to put too much weight behind spring training stats, we know that the Rockies have a critical season in front of them. We remain optimistic that the Rockies will show up to Coors Field on April 1 ready to compete and make a statement to management, the league, and perhaps most importantly, the fans.