Rockies 2024 Opening Day roster projection 3.0: A few familiar faces rejoin the team

With just over a week until Opening Day, we take a look at our latest Opening Day roster projection

San Francisco Giants v Colorado Rockies
San Francisco Giants v Colorado Rockies / Dustin Bradford/GettyImages
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We are just over 10 days away from Opening Day for the Rockies. We have gotten a really good look at some of the youngsters as well as vets. Some of the Rockies top prospects have really popped and showed that this team is in good hands.

The team has seen a few roster cuts, and though they haven't been all that surprising, the roster is starting to shape out. There are still a couple of position battles that could shake things up, but the way the roster currently stands, these position battles should only dictate the starting positions and not the actual roster makeup.

Rockies Starting Rotation

The starting rotation is one position group that hasn't changed for me at all. This whole spring has seen some pretty good performances from the Rockies pitchers. Kyle Freeland looks more like his 2018-2019 self-versus the 2023 Freeland. Austin Gomber has been up and down and will look to take off in a pivotal year. Ryan Feltner looked really good last year before an injury and with a change in his repertoire, he looks ready to break out in 2024.

Rockies Bullpen

  • Justin Lawrence
  • Tyler Kinley
  • Jake Bird
  • Jalen Beeks
  • Nick Mears
  • Anthony Molina
  • Peter Lambert
  • Ty Blach

The Rockies bullpen is pretty uninspiring and after losing Brett Suter, there are a lot of question marks. In my last version of this, I had the final spot in the bullpen given to flamethrower, Jaden Hill. I still think there is a solid chance he could make this roster, but Ty Blach has looked really good this spring and was a big part of the Rockies 2023 bullpen, making 20 appearances, throwing 78 innings. Peter Lambert will probably fill a similar role as last year, making some spot starts, while seeing quite a bit of innings out of the bullpen.

Rockies Infield

  • (C) Elias Diaz
  • (1B) Kris Bryant
  • (2B) Brendan Rodgers
  • (3B) Ryan McMahon
  • (SS) Ezequiel Tovar

This continues to be the easiest to predict here. The only question mark is if Kris Bryant starts at first base; we could see him move to right field with Elehuris Montero starting at first base. Brendan Rodgers has looked really good this spring with a batting average over .400 with a slugging percentage of nearly .500. He will look to prove he deserves a spot on this team long term, with top prospect, Adael Amador, nearing his debut. Ezequiel Tovar is one of the best defensive shortstops in all of baseball and will look to build upon that by putting together a solid offensive season.

Rockies Outfield

  • (LF) Nolan Jones
  • (CF) Brenton Doyle
  • (RF) Sean Bouchard
  • (DH) Charlie Blackmon

This is going to be such a fun outfield to watch! Nolan Jones and Brenton Doyle both have one of the best arms in baseball and should earn multiple gold gloves throughout their careers. Nolan Jones has the makings of a superstar and looks to build upon his 20-20 season last year. Sean Bouchard should see quite a bit of at bats this year, but will be in competition with Michael Toglia (the RF group could be pretty exciting as well). Charlie Blackmon is likely in his final season and fans need to soak up the character that is "Chuck-Nazty".

Rockies Bench

  • (C) Jacob Stallings
  • (1B/RF) Michael Toglia
  • (1B/3B) Elehuris Montero
  • (UTL) Alan Trejo

I have gone back and forth so much on the utility infielder spot. Alan Trejo, Aaron Schunk and Coco Montes are all in a battle for that spot. Schunk has been playing all over and showing he is capable. Trejo has looked really good this spring, embracing the need for him to be at his best defensively. Toglia and Montero should make this roster as true sluggers and could be fighting for their future with the club.

Projected to start on IL

  • (RP) Daniel Bard
  • (RP) Lucas Gilbreath
  • (SP) German Marquez
  • (SP) Antonio Senzatela

The names opening up on the IL this year is a really good group. Daniel Bard went down with an injury late in the offseason, but good news came out and we should see him shortly into the season. The same cannot be said for starting pitcher, Antonio Senzatela, who is expected to miss all of the year (except maybe a few Triple-A performances later in the year). German Marquez was slated to start throwing bullpen sessions a couple of weeks ago and is someone we should expect back sometime after the MLB All-Star break.

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