3 Rockies Who Deserve More Playing Time, 1 Who Deserves Less

Now that we’re a couple weeks into the season, let's take a look at three players that should be getting more run and a better chance to prove themselves, as well as one player who needs to see his playing time axed (I bet you can guess who it is).

Honorable Mention: Michael Toglia

Toglia hits balls hard and far. It’s a fun watch when he makes contact, but the contact is a bit of an issue still. Toglia has 10 strikeouts this season and has yet to walk, and three of his four hits have left the yard. His dead center shot against the Diamondbacks showed off that home run happy approach. Toglia looks very rough around the edges but has the early makings of an entertaining power hitter.

Jake Cave is solid

For a team that has a decent amount of volatility and streakiness outside of Charlie Blackmon and Ryan McMahon, Jake Cave is a professional who knows his role. The Rockies have plenty of young players in the lineup, and Cave is a veteran presence who has been a solid backup thus far for the Rox in a limited sample size. He sparked a late inning rally against the Cubs with a double; he also hit an eighth inning triple against the Rays and made a nice diving catch against the Diamondbacks.

Cave will provide some solid defense, slightly above average speed, and more consistency on an at bat to at bat basis. I’m not campaigning for him to be an everyday starter, but he could warrant more than just three starts in the first 13 games of the season. Cave is also a great trade for the Rockies this season, and the Rockies could showcase him more in hopes to net a return later on in the year.

Kris Bryant is still struggling

You all knew where this one was going. I’ve written about it, Rockies fans have complained about it, and there’s not a ton of positives to take from it. We’re stuck with this contract, which is unfortunate for a team that is so cautious to dish out big money. Through 42 at bats, Bryant is hitting just .100 with only one home run and a 15-4 strikeout to walk ratio. It’s ugly, and the at bats look nothing like a former MVP. Bryant’s regular at bats take away from younger guys like Montero and Michael Toglia, who has shown immense power potential despite his low batting average. I’m not saying to bench the $182 million man, but seeing more of a part-time role until he shows any signs of positive production would be better for the lineup and the development of the younger Rockies. 

All things considered with Bryant, let’s not forget we have no reason to believe he doesn’t love baseball. While the production is similarly disappointing, this isn’t an Anthony Rendon situation where his love for the game can be called into question.

In a recent interview, Bryant mentioned some of the negativity he received from fans, even including death threats. No athlete deserves death threats, whether Bryant, Rendon, or anyone else. Performance on the field can be booed and heckled, but that should be the extent of it. Who knows, maybe a little bit of the Trea Turner treatment can help to give Bryant some support and get his season on track.

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