3 questions the Rockies already answered during spring training, 1 they haven't

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We are just over a week away from Opening Day 2024, and it has been a very exciting spring for Rockies fans. We have gotten to watch (I use that term loosely considering the lack of actual TV time) a lot of the Rockies veterans who have looked really solid this spring. We have also gotten to see a lot of up-and-coming Rockies prospects who have looked really good, proving that this Rockies system is in a better spot than most think.

Spring training generally comes with many position battles, veterans fighting against each other to prove themselves in the league; youngsters are fighting to make their first Opening Day roster; veterans are trying to fight off the young, top prospects, looking to extend their careers. The Rockies were in a position this spring with only a couple of position battles, however there were some question marks. Today, we look and three questions the Rockies have answered this spring, and one we are still searching for the final answer to.

3 Rockies questions they've answered at spring training

Who are the #4 and #5 starting pitchers in the rotation this year?

Coming into the spring, the biggest question mark was in the starting rotation. After losing two of the club's top three starting pitchers last year (German Marquez and Antonio Senzatela) to Tommy John surgery, there was uncertainty surrounding how the rest of the rotation would shake out.

Last year, we saw 15 different pitchers make at least one start for the Rockies, something that will hopefully change this year with some stability. The Rockies added a couple of veterans in Cal Quantrill and Dakota Hudson; that paired with stable veteran Kyle Freeland should provide some quality innings. They have a number of options to fill in the rest of those innings, but they need to see someone step up and stake their claim as a valuable part of the rotation.

The battle for the final two rotation spots was said to be between Dakota Hudson, Ryan Feltner and Peter Lambert. All three have been shaky this spring, but it's spring training and not a lot can be put into it. Hudson is likely the favorite for one of the spots, given the veterans status and the fact that the team signed him to a contract as a free agent.

Ryan Feltner looked really good last year before an injury. This spring, Feltner has sort of struggled (albeit in a limited number of innings); he has thrown just six innings, but has given up seven hits, four walks, just five strikeouts and has an ERA of 9.00. Most of the damage came in one start when he threw just one inning, giving up five hits, five runs, and walked two.

Lambert has been a little better this spring, with 12.1 innings, 12 hits, four walks, 10 strikeouts and a 5.11 ERA. Lambert made some starts last year and rotated in the bullpen as well. Lambert may work his way into some regular appearances in the rotation this year again,.

As things currently stand, the final two rotation spots should go to Hudson and Feltner. Though Hudson is the veteran, I wouldn't be surprised if Lambert is solid at the beginning of the year, they move Hudson to the bullpen. Hudson is a name to watch at the trade deadline and though this question has been answered, it will certainly shake up throughout the year.

Do the Rockies have any pitching help close to the big leagues?

Building off the last topic we just discussed, the Rockies pitching was the biggest question mark coming into this offseason. Not only were there two major injuries the club has to deal with, but the lack of a pitcher friendly field, makes it extremely hard to attract free agents (like Sean Manea or Mike Clevinger).

This spring we were going to see some top prospects that we could be excited about, though there weren't a ton of big-name pitching prospects, as most of them were recently acquired and not ready for spring camp yet.

One name that flew way under the radar was recent second round pick, Jaden Hill. Hill was drafted as a starter and after two seasons starting, the Rockies decided to move him to the bullpen. That decision has looked to be one of the best moves for Hill. This spring Hill has dominated! He has thrown five innings, striking out eight batters and walking just two. His fastball has been sitting in the upper 90's and he has shown a plus changeup and plus slider. The Rockies should see Hill this year and he looks like he has the makings of a very good, high leverage arm.

Another arm that surprised this spring, was one of the top pitching prospects in the system (albeit a thin pitching system), Carson Palmquist. The 23-year-old lefty, made three appearances this spring, throwing five innings, striking out eight and walking just two. He only surrendered four hits and didn't allow a run. His low arm slot has a lot of scouts pegging him for a relief role, but after his solid 2023 season (3.90 ERA over 92.1 innings with a 13.1 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9), he looks like he has the makings of a solid starting pitcher.

The thin depth of pitching made a lot of fans wonder where and when the next crop of pitchers would come, but Jaden Hill and Carson Palmquist have answered those questions, and the time is coming soon!

Who earned the utility IF spot?

The Rockies came into last season with high expectations for Brendan Rodgers. A significant injury in spring training cost him a majority of the season, but it also put a couple of players into positions that were not optimal at that time.

One of those guys was Alan Trejo. Trejo was pretty solid in 35 games in 2022, slashing .271/.312/.424, but he couldn't find the same success in an extended look in 2023. He slashed just .232/.288/.343 while playing three infield spots. He isn't a great defender at any one spot, but isn't a liabiliity either.

Coming into spring, there were certainly questions around who would be the bench utility spot. It seemed to be a three-man battle between Trejo, Aaron Schunk and Coco Montes. Though Schunk has impressed this spring, hitting .276 with two stolen bases and playing some good defense, Trejo looks like he is ready to return to his 2022 form.

This spring, Bud Black has gotten a good look at Trejo, playing 15 games. He is slashing .300/.361/.533 with two home runs, a stolen base and more walks (4) than strikeouts (3). He has looked really comfortable and with no options remaining, Trejo looks to have answered this question for the Rockies.

A battle that hasn't been resolved yet

Who is the starting RF?

As we break down position battles this spring, there may not have been a better battle than the one for the starting right field job. It was widely considered to be Sean Bouchard's job, especially with Kris Bryant moving to first to try and stay healthier.

Two players have really thrown a wrench into this and made it a serious competition in a couple of different ways. First off, Michael Toglia, has been scorching hot this spring, making it a serious possibility that he is the opening day starter. For being 6'5 and nearly 230 lbs, Toglia is a surprisingly good athlete that can play a decent right field. This spring he is slashing .333/.415/.750 with four home runs, 12 RBI, and three doubles in just 16 games. Toglia is still running a 34% strikeout rate this spring, which is very concerning, but the production can't be ignored.

The other name that is making this position battle a little murky, is former top prospect, Elehuris Montero. Montero was the starting third baseman last year, but that will be occupied by Ryan McMahon this year, with Brendan Rodgers starting at second base. Montero has been pretty solid this spring, though he's cooled off lately. He is slashing .238/.298/.524 with three home runs, nine RBI and three doubles. Montero's strikeout rate is sitting at 27.66%, which is manageable considering his power output. If Bud Black wants Montero in the opening day lineup, we could see Kris Bryant shift back to right field, with Montero getting the start at first base.

Sean Bouchard is the final piece of this puzzle, but he hasn't run away with the job. He is hitting .267/.378/.433, but only has one home run in 15 games. Bouchard is probably the favorite, but no one is running away with the job, leaving the job wide open.

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