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Colorado Rockies: Projecting the 2022 Opening Day lineup

ByKevin Henry|
DENVER, COLORADO - SEPTEMBER 22: Charlie Blackmon #19 of the Colorado Rockies scores against catcher Will Smith #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers on a C.J. Cron double in the seventh inning at Coors Field on September 22, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - SEPTEMBER 22: Charlie Blackmon #19 of the Colorado Rockies scores against catcher Will Smith #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers on a C.J. Cron double in the seventh inning at Coors Field on September 22, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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Kris Bryant, Colorado Rockies
DENVER, CO – AUGUST 19: Kris Bryant #17 of the Chicago Cubs prepares to bat against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning of a game at Coors Field on August 19, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)

Projecting the Colorado Rockies Opening Day lineup

Perhaps the biggest change to Colorado’s batting order and lineup this season will be the addition of Kris Bryant, inked to a seven-year, $182 million deal and instantly becoming one of the cornerstones of the franchise for years to come. With a full no-trade clause as part of the deal, the only way Bryant leaves Colorado is if he chooses to leave. New general manager Bill Schmidt is counting on the 30-year-old Bryant finishing his career in Denver.

Here’s how the Rockies could line up when Opening Day 2022 arrives:

Raimel Tapia (L) — RF

Kris Bryant — LF

Charlie Blackmon (L) — DH

C.J. Cron — 1B

Ryan McMahon (L) — 3B

Brendan Rodgers — 2B

Sam Hilliard (L) — CF

Elias Diaz — C

Jose Iglesias — SS

Certainly there is a lot that could change about this lineup between now and Opening Day. The Rockies will likely move the designated hitter position around to various players throughout the season, but Blackmon opening the season in that role makes sense. Just don’t look for him to be there every game as he’ll still have plenty of time in the outfield.

Along those lines, will the Rockies have enough faith in Raimel Tapia to play him in right on a consistent basis? He spent just 17.0 innings there last season and seems to be a player without a position with Bryant as part of the team.

Another thing to watch is what happens in center field. While the Rockies would love to have Hilliard and his power in the lineup, he still has to show he can bring that on a consistent basis while cutting down on strikeouts. Don’t be surprised if Garrett Hampson, who played more innings than anyone in center field last season, doesn’t get the nod if Hilliard doesn’t impress in spring.

Need another potential option? How about this one from the March 22 spring training matchup?

Who will take the mound on April 8? Expect German Márquez to get the Opening Day start once again.

So what could Rockies fans expect to see out of the Dodgers? Let’s take a look.

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