Colorado Rockies 2008 Preview

It’s that time of year again. Spring training is in full swing, and the baseball season is just around the corner. Over the next month, The Sports Lounge will run a season preview for each team in the majors, leading up to the season opener in Japan on March 25th. Today we continue the season preview with a look at the Colorado Rockies.


Manager: Clint Hurdle
2007: 90-73, 2nd NL West (Lost World Series 4-0 to Boston)

Projected Batting Order:

1. Wily Taveras, cf (.320, 2 hr, 24 rbi, 33 sb)
2. Troy Tulowitzki, ss (.284, 24 hr, 99 rbi, 104 r)
3. Matt Holliday, lf (.340, 36 hr, 137 rbi, 50 2b)
4. Todd Helton, 1b (.320, 17 hr, 91 rbi)
5. Garret Atkins, 3b (.305, 25 hr, 111 rbi)
6. Brad Hawpe, lf (.291, 29 hr, 116 rbi)
7. Yorvit Torrealba, c (.255, 8 hr, 47 rbi)
8. Jayson Nix. 2b (rookie)

Projected Starting Rotation:

1. Jeff Francis (17-9, 4.22 ERA)
2. Aaron Cook (8-7, 4.12 ERA)
3. Ubaldo Jimenez (4-4, 4.28 ERA)
4. Franklin Morales (3-2, 3.43 ERA)
5. Jason Hirsch (5-7, 4.81 ERA)

Setup: Brian Fuentes
Closer: Manny Corpas


The Colorado Rockies were simply amazing during their incredible run in September and October, winning 21 of 22 games before bowing to the Red Sox in the World Series. Colorado won 13 of their last 14 regular season games to force a one-game playoff with San Diego for the wildcard spot. Then, they won a crazy and controversial game to clinch the spot, scoring three runs off the game’s most prolific closer in the bottom of the 10th to make the playoffs. Then, they racked off seven more in a row in reaching the World Series undefeated. It will be a hard act to follow in ’08, but the nucleus of this young team is getting better and only has their primes in front of them.

Colorado’s wealth of young talent in the farm system over the past is starting to pay big dividends in the bigs. Matt Holliday would have been the MVP in any other year, settling for second behind Jimmy Rollins, a very deserving winner. Holliday has become one of the best power hitters in the league (70 HR last two seasons), and combines it with a wonderful batting average (.300+ last three years). Holliday was hottest when his team needed it most, making a surge at the end of the season to win both the batting and RBI titles. In the playoffs, Holliday was the NLCS MVP, and hit five home runs in 11 games. Joining Holliday was the emergence of rookie Troy Tulowitzki, who a phenomenal rookie season. Tulowitzki hit 24 home runs and had 99 RBI, while playing some slick defense at shortstop. He made some amazing plays in the field over the course of the year, and will win many Gold Gloves in his career. Todd Helton may be at the tail end of his career, but he can still get on base frequently in front of Holliday to give the team’s slugger plenty of opportunities. Garret Atkins and Brad Hawpe both hit over 25 homers, knocked in over 100 runs, and are only 28.

The rotation looked great during the streak, but there are more questions surrounding this group. 17-game winner Jeff Francis will anchor the staff, but is still largely unproven. Last year was the first time the lefty had ever won 15 games, and his ERA was still only a mediocre 4.22. He’s lucky he’s got an offense backing him that’s as potent as Colorado’s. Aaron Cook, who only won eight games last year, but led the team with a 4.12 ERA, is the second starter. #3 Ubaldo Jimenez could be the wildcard of this group. He’s already shown off his impressive repertoire in the playoffs, posting a 2.25 ERA in 16 innings last fall. If he can pitch anywhere near that level for an entire season, Colorado could make it back-to-back playoff appearances. Behind him are 22-year Franklin Morales, who battled through a rough postseason, and Jason Hirsch. The fifth spot is still a question mark, with Mark Redman and Kip Wells also possibilities.

Colorado’s efficient bullpen was crucial last year in taking pressure off the starting rotation. Once the Rockies got the lead in the middle innings, the bullpen always found a way to hammer it down. This year’s group will need to be that reliable again. Manny Corpas became the closer in favor of Brian Fuentes towards the end of last season, and the move looks to be permanent. Corpas was 19 for 23 in save opportunities and perfect in four tries in the playoffs, while Fuentes struggled in his new role. Corpas will need to be that dominant again this year. Like Jimenez and Morales, this Panama native has filthy stuff, but with these three we’re going to find out if last year was lightning in a bottle or not. The rest of the bullpen will be filled with new faces. Matt Herges and Ryan Speier will see a dramatic increase in responsibility, and its uncertain how they will handle it.

Colorado’s offense offers no favors to opposing pitchers. Second base is bit of a concern, with Jayson Nix expected to replace Kaz Matsui. Other than that, this entire lineup is comfortable in their role. Three guys knocked in over 100 runs last year, and two others had more than 90. Offense alone won’t be enough though. For the Rockies to replicate last year’s success, the pitching will need to hold its end of the bargain. Colorado’s defense was the best of all-time last year, and is a unit that can really help out the staff. Jimenez and Morales will go a long way towards deciding how this team does. They can either make this a mediocre rotation or a solid one. Colorado will win plenty of games with its offense, and enough games with its rotation to win the NL West.