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An in-depth preview of the 2022 Colorado Rockies season

By Kevin Larson

DENVER, COLORADO - AUGUST 05: Sam Hilliard #22 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run against the Chicago Cubs in the fourth inning at Coors Field on August 05, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - AUGUST 05: Sam Hilliard #22 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run against the Chicago Cubs in the fourth inning at Coors Field on August 05, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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Colorado Rockies pitcher Kyle Freeland
Sep 18, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Freeland (21) throws the ball in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports /

What approach should the Rockies have with their rotation?

This is from one of our friends at Venom Strikes which is our sister site that covers the D-Backs. The Rockies’ starters have been a real bright spot for this team over the past five seasons. They’ve certainly held their own and, for the most part, have been league average or better by park-adjusted stats like ERA-, FIP- and xFIP-.

They continue to get a high amount of groundballs (47.3% in 2021, highest in the league) and that will generally lead to success. They likely need to strike more batters out more often (20.1 percent in 2021, 22nd overall) but what they’ve been doing has not been detrimental and has kept the Rockies in games they otherwise would have no business winning.

One area they do need to improve at, outside of K%, is their HR/FB%. Starters gave up a HR/FB% of 15.1%, 8th highest among starting staffs in the majors. None of the teams who had one of the ten highest HR/FB% rates made the playoffs last season. Only two teams who had one of the ten lowest rates missed the playoffs last year (Oakland and Seattle). It’s an obvious point of improvement, but one where the Rockies’ starters could really benefit.

dark. Next. Projecting the Rox Opening Day lineup with Grichuk

So there we have it! A way too in-depth preview of the Colorado Rockies 2022 season that I know you read every single word of. Here’s to hoping that, no matter what happens this season, they notch at least 71 wins and we all make a little bit more money here (unless you’re fading me. In which case, how dare you?)

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