explanation of rankings and other team previews here
2008 Record: 74-88
Offseason Additions: Jason Marquis, Carlos Gonzalez, Huston Street, Greg Smith
Offseason Subtractions: Matt Holliday, Brian Fuentes, Willy Taveras
Ranks (MLB):
Line-Up – 11th
Rotation – 13th (rated prior to Jeff Francis injury)
Bullpen – 9th
Defense – 4th tier (out of 5)
Baserunning – 5th tier (out of 5)
KEY PLAYER: TROY TULOWITZKI
The Rockies predictably disappointed last year after playing way over their heads in August and September to reach the World Series. One of the reasons was because they lost their star SS Troy Tulowitzki very early on in the season. Tulo was a great hitter his rookie year (.299, 24HR, 99RBI, 838 OPS), but was even more valuable with his glove. In his rookie season he led MLB SS in nearly every category, and was the best SS in the MLB by most defensive metrics. He set a record for fielding % by a rookie SS, all at just 22. Now, with Matt Holliday gone, the Rockies need him to come back with his glove and his bat.
PLAYER TO WATCH: CHRIS IANNETTA
When you think of the best NL catchers, Brian McCann and Geovanny Soto probably come to mind first. But, had Chris Iannetta played a full season last year, you might be thinking about him. Iannetta was just .001 behind McCann for the lead among NL catchers in OPS last season. He had 18 HR and 65 RBI in just 333 ABs. If he had had the 509 McCann had, he might have had 27 HR and 100 RBI. Iannetta is revving up for his first full season as the Rockies catcher by backing up McCann for the United States at the World Baseball Classic. Last night, in his first start, he went 2 for 3 with 4 RBI and 2 BB. I guess he’s not a Coors Field wonder.
PHILLY ANGLE
Two steps back from 2007
Phillies fans should use the 2008 Rockies as a cautionary tale. The Rockies made the World Series in 2007 after a torrid finish, and seemed to have everything in place for another run in 2008. A great lefty in Jeff Francis, a young fireballer in Ubaldo Jiminez, plenty of offense and a solid bullpen with Manny Corpas and Brian Fuentes. Well, Francis, Jiminez and Corpas struggled mightily, they caught some bad injuries, and the team just tanked. Now, even though have nearly the same team, minus Matt Holliday, there aren’t a lot of people picking them to finish any higher than 3rd. Just another example about how there are no certainties in sports, and fans shouldn’t take any success for granted.
QUICK HITS
Worst Contract: Jason Marquis ( 3 yrs, $ 21 million, ends in 2009, signed by Cubs)
Best Pitch: Ubaldo Jiminez’ Fastball
Best Player in a Contract Year: Matt Herges, RP
Top Prospect: Dexter Fowler, OF
Best Individual Season: Todd Helton, 2000 (.372 BA, 42 HR, 147 RBI, 59 2B, 138 R, .463 OBP, .698 SLG%, 405 total bases)
Worst Uniforms: 2005
Where’d They Come From?
- Draft, 10 (most in MLB)
- Trade, 3
- Amateur FA, 1
- Free Agent, 0 (tied for least in MLB)
2009 OUTLOOK
3rd NL West, 8th NL, 14th MLB
I had a tough time picking between the Giants and Rockies for 3rd place in the NL West, not that it really matters. I picked the Rockies because they had too much go wrong last season. I think that Tulowitzki is going to make a huge difference, Corpas and Jiminez will have improved seasons and that some of the younger Rockies players, like Iannetta and Ian Stewart will make leaps forward. They are a little light on the back end of their rotation, so there might be a lot of slugfests again in 2009.
1) I don’t know where you get all your stadium pictures, but they are awesome.
2) I’ll definitely take the Giants over the Rockies, and maybe even the Padres.
3) Although it was at the height of the juiced ball era, that season by Helton was absolutely ridiculous. Back then, Coors Field was the non-steroid user’s steroid. How about those random 1995 stats: Galarraga .280, 31, 106; Castilla, 32, 90; Bichette .340, 40, 128; Walker .306, 36, 101.
Castilla .309