Colorado Rockies Offense Causing Others to Salivate

By Fansided and Tim Engquist/FanSided via Rox Pile
Published

Oct 2, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies fans cheer for players in the dugout following the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Last week, Call to the Pen ranked the top five offenses in Major League Baseball. The Colorado Rockies got some love, coming in fourth behind the Washington Nationals, Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox. It’s always nice to get some attention nationally, and there is very good reason this year. 2017’s lineup could be the best the Rockies have had since 2010.

Also exciting in the article is the labeling of the Rockies as a dark horse pick for the National League wild card. Competing this year is something that Rockies fans has been the expecting for a couple of years now, but the fact that the young guys are here and living up to their potential has the Rockies primed to be at the very least contending for the wild card.

The author continued the love, voting for the Rockies as the best hitting infield in the major leagues. I would have to agree, with the Cubs providing the fiercest competition.

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    Lets take a look at Colorado’s probable lineup on opening day. With the addition of Ian Desmond, the only real position battle will be catcher. I think Tony Wolters and Tom Murphy will essentially split time behind the dish, but with Junior Guerra, Zach Davies and Chase Anderson all being right-handed at the top of Milwaukee’s rotation, it seems likely that Wolters will get the nod on April 3.

      A similar lineup last year was able to score the second most runs in the major leagues, trailing only the Boston Red Sox. This projected lineup for 2017 is a lot better. Let’s look at the reasons why on the next page…

      Sep 7, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) celebrates with teammates after his one run home run in the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

      A full season of Trevor Story: Story was only able to play in 97 games last year thanks to the tear of his UCL in his thumb. The guy was very durable outside of this freak injury so it is safe to bet he will be on the diamond for more games this year.

      Since he hit 27 home runs, it could be projected over 150 games he could hit 40 dingers. Last season, he also slashed .272/.341/.567. Some amount of progression also isn’t out of the question for Story as he enters his second year as a pro. In the final two months of his season, June and July, Story’s average was .284 and .288, respectively. That’s a big difference from the first two months where he hovered around .260, showing some progression as he gained experience.

      A full year of David Dahl:  A common theme for the Rockies will be more time with the young guys we fell in love with in 2016. Dahl was called up in July and absolutely raked in his first chance

      Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

      at the major league level. He slashed .315/.359/.500 over 237 plate appearances. He will likely be the Rockies primary left fielder and the lineup will benefit from his bat for the whole year rather than Gerardo Parra, who struggled in 2016.

      The Ian Desmond acquisition: Desmond will help the Rockies in a couple of ways. He is a very good hitter. In a successful 2016 with the Rangers, he accrued his fourth career 20/20 year with 22 homers and 21 stolen bases. He slashed .285/.335/.446. You would maybe hope for a little more power from a first baseman but Desmond’s versatility and ability to play almost every position will be huge for the Rockies.

      I see him moving all around the diamond as the Rockies give another starter the day off. This will allow them to sub in a good hitter, like Jordan Patterson at first base, and not lose anything defensively with Desmond playing up the middle or in the outfield. The Rockies also make up for lack of power at first base with Trevor Story and Charlie Blackmon’s power at shortstop and center field, positions not usually thought of as housing complete sluggers.

      More depth: I already touched on Desmond being huge for the Rockies but they have better options everywhere in 2017. Gerardo Parra, although a huge disappointment in 2016, should be an above average fourth outfielder. Murphy and Wolters could both be a starting catcher. Murphy in particular was impressive in his time in the majors in 2016. He hit five home runs in only 449 plate appearances.

      The “other guys”: The fact I have written this much about the Rockies offense without mentioning Arenado, CarGo, LeMahieu and Blackmon says something.

      I think Nolan will rightfully be in the top 3 in the MVP next year as the improved team will get him a little more national love. CarGo will continue to be an extremely streaky hitter, but there is not a more intimidating player in the league when that guy is hot. DJ is coming off his best year where he won the National League batting title, and continued to hit for more power, I expect more of the same in ’17. And Blackmon was the second best offensive center fielder in baseball last year, trailing only Mike Trout. There is no reason to expect this to change in 2017.

      Next year is going to be a season with a lot of runs both at Coors Field and away from it. More and more people will realize what a special group the Rockies are putting together.