With the Colorado Rockies reporting to their Spring Training Facility, Hi-Corbett Field, in sunny Tucson Arizona the Rockies’ world is abuzz about the new, 2010 season. With the call of coaches throughout the air many players will be fighting and scratching to gain that last roster spot and make the Big League team out of camp. Many players, Troy Tulowitzki, Todd Helton, and Ubaldo Jimenez (just to name a few) have spots on the team sealed up, but for players like Eric Young Jr., Greg Smith, and Justin Speier their fate hangs in the balances of this crucial month and a half before the season starts. Now this article will be examining the players who are definitely on the team, who will probably make, and someone who has a shot but will need to do some work and prove it. At the end I will reveal my starting lineup for the 2010 Colorado Rockies!
First, we will start off with the easy part; showing the players who will make the team regardless of their Spring Training stats. You have Chris Iannetta, Todd Helton at first base, and Clint Barmes at second, at third you have Ian Stewart, and rounding out the infield at short you have Troy Tulowitzki. In the outfield you have Brad Hawpe, Dexter Fowler, and Carlos Gonzalez; this leaves, at the most, one spot in the outfield up for grabs. At total the Rockies have 8 of their 14 hitting slots as locked; basically, they have locked their starting 8 for opening day.
Next, we move on the players who will probably make it but still need to work during Spring Training. This list includes Miguel Olivo at catcher, Jason Giambi at first, Melvin Mora at third, and Seth Smith and Ryan Spilborghs in the outfield. All of these players would be in the backup role for their positions but are the best available. Olivo at catcher will see the most pressure of anyone of these players by veteran Paul LoDuca; LoDuca enters camp on as a Non-Roster Invitee but also as a player who has not played in the Majors since 2008. In 2008 LoDuca played 67 games, combined, for the Nationals and Marlins hitting a combined .243 with a .616 OPS. With the 8 locks and these 5 "probable" that leaves just 1 spot, on the hitting side, to be fought for during camp.
Lastly, we check on the players who will have to fight for the last spot in order to get onto the Major League Team. In the infield you have super-utility man Omar Quintanilla who will be battling with another super-utility man, Eric Young Jr (EYJ). These players are both about the same skill set; both are above average defenders who can play multiple positions, have speed, and need to develop their hitting skills. EYJ is at a slight disadvantage because he plays 3 positions but does not have the experience like Q does; Quintanilla can play 4 different positions and has been up in the Majors before. I believe that this difference will allow Omar Quintanilla to take the final roster spot over Eric Young Jr.; Young Jr. will definitely be the first person called up in case of injury (unless it's a catcher) and would be used off the bench in a pinch-runner and defensive sub capacity.
Now that you guys have a good idea who is a lock, who is probable, and who will grab the last roster spot it is time to reveal my Opening Day lineup for the Colorado Rockies:
1). Dexter Fowler (S)- CF
2). Carlos Gonzalez (L)- LF
3). Todd Helton (L)- 1B
4). Troy Tulowitzki (R)- SS
5). Brad Hawpe (L)- RF
6). Ian Stewart (L)- 3B
7). Clint Barmes (R)- 2B
8). Chris Iannetta (R)- C
As you can see the lineup is filled with young talent anchored by two key cogs in this lineup. In order for the Rockies to get off to a fast start Tulo needs to shrug off his April slumps (he hit .200 in April last year) and he needs to hit like he did at the end of the 2009 season (.350 with an 1.049 OPS). Overall this lineup has power, speed, and has depth to kill any pitching rotation.
First, we will start off with the easy part; showing the players who will make the team regardless of their Spring Training stats. You have Chris Iannetta, Todd Helton at first base, and Clint Barmes at second, at third you have Ian Stewart, and rounding out the infield at short you have Troy Tulowitzki. In the outfield you have Brad Hawpe, Dexter Fowler, and Carlos Gonzalez; this leaves, at the most, one spot in the outfield up for grabs. At total the Rockies have 8 of their 14 hitting slots as locked; basically, they have locked their starting 8 for opening day.
Next, we move on the players who will probably make it but still need to work during Spring Training. This list includes Miguel Olivo at catcher, Jason Giambi at first, Melvin Mora at third, and Seth Smith and Ryan Spilborghs in the outfield. All of these players would be in the backup role for their positions but are the best available. Olivo at catcher will see the most pressure of anyone of these players by veteran Paul LoDuca; LoDuca enters camp on as a Non-Roster Invitee but also as a player who has not played in the Majors since 2008. In 2008 LoDuca played 67 games, combined, for the Nationals and Marlins hitting a combined .243 with a .616 OPS. With the 8 locks and these 5 "probable" that leaves just 1 spot, on the hitting side, to be fought for during camp.
Lastly, we check on the players who will have to fight for the last spot in order to get onto the Major League Team. In the infield you have super-utility man Omar Quintanilla who will be battling with another super-utility man, Eric Young Jr (EYJ). These players are both about the same skill set; both are above average defenders who can play multiple positions, have speed, and need to develop their hitting skills. EYJ is at a slight disadvantage because he plays 3 positions but does not have the experience like Q does; Quintanilla can play 4 different positions and has been up in the Majors before. I believe that this difference will allow Omar Quintanilla to take the final roster spot over Eric Young Jr.; Young Jr. will definitely be the first person called up in case of injury (unless it's a catcher) and would be used off the bench in a pinch-runner and defensive sub capacity.
Now that you guys have a good idea who is a lock, who is probable, and who will grab the last roster spot it is time to reveal my Opening Day lineup for the Colorado Rockies:
1). Dexter Fowler (S)- CF
2). Carlos Gonzalez (L)- LF
3). Todd Helton (L)- 1B
4). Troy Tulowitzki (R)- SS
5). Brad Hawpe (L)- RF
6). Ian Stewart (L)- 3B
7). Clint Barmes (R)- 2B
8). Chris Iannetta (R)- C
As you can see the lineup is filled with young talent anchored by two key cogs in this lineup. In order for the Rockies to get off to a fast start Tulo needs to shrug off his April slumps (he hit .200 in April last year) and he needs to hit like he did at the end of the 2009 season (.350 with an 1.049 OPS). Overall this lineup has power, speed, and has depth to kill any pitching rotation.
