Colorado Rockies: 5 storylines that will make or break the 2022 season

Jun 15, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon (24) on deck in the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 15, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon (24) on deck in the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
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Kris Bryant, Colorado Rockies
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA – MARCH 29: Kris Bryant #23 of the Colorado Rockies prepares for a spring training game against the Los Angeles Angels at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 29, 2022 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

The Colorado Rockies are a team that could be one of the more intriguing teams in the sport in 2022. Most people nationally believe that the Rockies will be a team in the high 60s or low 70s win area but many fans and people who cover the team (like us here at Rox Pile) believe that they will be better than that.

But for them to be that team they will have to have health, some things break their way, and some additions at the trade deadline to be in contention at the end of the season.

But on this Opening Day, there are five storylines that will determine their 2022 season.

Will Kris Bryant be the bat that the Colorado Rockies so desperately need?

The Colorado Rockies signed Kris Bryant to, essentially, replace Trevor Story in their lineup. He had an OPS+ of 124 in 2021 and an OPS+ of 132 in 2019. If he can replicate those numbers (especially the 2019 numbers), he will be their best bat (or one of their best bats).

However, they really want/need the production he had in 2016 when he won the NL MVP (39 homers, 102 RBI, 146 OPS+).

Can he produce at that level, especially going in and out of altitude?

Will Ryan McMahon step up at the plate?

We already know that Ryan McMahon is one of the best defenders in the sport, if not the best. But now that he will almost exclusively be playing third base, will be able to step up his game offensively?

His problem has been that has had a high groundball rate in recent years so if he can decrease that, his home run total will definitely increase from 23 (24 in 2019) to the low- to mid-30s and his RBI total will jump up from the mid-80s too. The Rockies need another 30+ homer, 90+ RBI bat.

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