3 Rockies who will be the reason why they don't lose 100 games in 2024
Looking ahead at why three players who will be the reason why the Rockies won't lose 100 games next season.
The Rockies are coming off the worst season in franchise history as they finished the year with a 59-103 record, coming off the first season they have ever lost 100 games in the franchise's 30 year history.
While this past year was a horrific one, it was also one to remember as the Rockies youth invasion took over all season long. Towards the end of the season, the Rockies bolstered a lineup that featured at least five starting rookies.
Success is always hard for any team to replicate. But for the Rockies, it might even be harder to replicate the kind of nonsuccess they had last year as Colorado seems to find a way to not lose 100 games in a single-season.
Now I think the Rockies will need at least another year before they can think about the post season, but I do think they will be a much better team next season and that's partially due to the experience some of the younger players gained this year and the emergence of a key veteran pitcher stepping up.
Going forward, I decided to take a look at which three players will be a reason why the Rockies won't lose 100 games next season.
1. Austin Gomber
After a rough start at the beginning of last year due to confidence issues and letting the pressure get to him from the Nolan Arrenado trade in 2021 that sent him to Colorado, Gomber later emerged as one of the bright spots in an injury-depleted rotation last season.
Gomber, went from having one of the worst years of his career before the MLB All-Star break to one of the best seasons yet following the mid-summer classic. During this stretch, he went 2-2 while pitching with a 3.86 ERA and striking out 26 batters.
In 2024, the Rockies post All-Star game Gomber to lead this young rotation that will be focused on getting better.
As of right now, I would expect to see Gomber as the Rockies ace of the staff. Of course, I would expect them to attack starting pitching this free agency.
2. Nolan Jones
Coming off one of the best rookie seasons in Rockies history, Nolan Jones will remain a key part of the starting lineup in 2023.
Jones, 25, ranked first in five different categories among all-time rookies in the Colorado organization including OPS (.931) and OBP (.389).
Last season, Jones was second in home runs (23), triples (4) and walks (53) while third in RBI's (70) just three away from the team lead behind fellow rookie teammate Ezequiel Tovar.
After a dominant rookie campaign in 2023, Jones now finds himself as someone who should be nominated as an NL Rookie of the year candidate this offseason.
Coming into next season, I would expect Jones to find himself as a name that sits at the top of the lineup as he has proven himself to be one of the Rockies most consistent hitters on the roster.
3. Ezequiel Tovar
The arrival of Ezequiel Tovar was one that definitely did not disappoint last season as the young shortstop put on a show all year long and showed he has everything in the making to become the shortstop of the future.
Defensively, Tovar led all MLB rookie shortstops in every category and even found himself leading veteran shortstops like Willy Adames, Bobby Witt Jr. and Javier Báez.
Offensively, as I mentioned earlier when discussing Jones, Tovar led the Rockies in doubles this year while hitting .253, 37 doubles, four triples and 15 home runs.
After a rough first two months of the season, Tovar started to emerge on the scene in the month of July as he hit .323 with 17 RBIs.
In clutch situations with the bases loaded, that seemed to be where Tovar thrived as a hitter hitting with an average of .357 while driving in 13 RBIs.
In 2024, I would expect to see Tovar elevate his game offensively to a higher production after having a year of MLB ball under his belt.