Colorado Rockies: 5 Predictions for 2017 Spring Training
May 11, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story (27) runs through third on an RBI in the third inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
If you know nothing else about us, you know that we’re excited for the Colorado Rockies to open spring training next week in Scottsdale, Ariz. It’s been a long winter and we’re ready for the boys of summer to retake the field.
During the offseason, we’ve been keeping up with the latest news on Colorado and taking notes on who might make the biggest impact in Arizona. We’ve come up with five things we think will happen in Scottsdale … and they are five things that will carry over to the regular season.
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Trevor Story Finally Shows Off His Speed
Lost in a lot of the record-setting season that rookie shortstop Trevor Story had in 2016 is the fact that he has great speed on the basepaths as well. He has just eight stolen bases last season before being lost with a thumb injury in late July. He never had the chance to flash his speed last season. That will change in 2017.
Check out this quote about Story from this article. It’s from before he ever stepped foot onto Coors Field…
His speed is a tick above average but he gets excellent jumps and is a superior baserunner, aggressive and confident and usually successful when he takes a gamble.
He had 22 steals between Double-A and Triple-A in 2015 and had 23 at Single-A and Double-A the year before that. The speed is there. Mix that in with Story’s power on display from last season (27 homers and 72 RBI) and it’s very possible Story could be even more dangerous this season than last year.
We believe Story will be much more of a factor this season on the bases, and that will start in Arizona.
Nov 2, 2016; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Salt River Rafters infielder Ryan McMahon of the Colorado Rockies against the Scottsdale Scorpions during an Arizona Fall League game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Ryan McMahon Shines at Third Base
With Nolan Arenado helping Team USA try to win the World Baseball Classic this spring, someone other than Arenado will be manning third base for the Rockies during spring training. It’s a perfect opportunity for one of Colorado’s prospects to shine and we think that’s exactly what Ryan McMahon will do.
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There’s no question that it’s been a tough road in the minors so far for McMahon. Nolan Lees highlighted a lot of his struggles in this article. However, you have to remember that he just turned 22 years old and still has plenty of learning to do.
In Arenado’s absence, McMahon has the opportunity to not only show off the skills that make him one of Colorado’s Top 10 prospects, but also get plenty of on-the-job training to improve quickly.
While McMahon may have more of a future in the organization at first base rather than third, Arenado’s absence gives him a chance to be featured at the hot corner. While spring training fans may be bummed about missing a chance to see Arenado up close, this could very well be a blessing in disguise for the future of the franchise … if McMahon lives up to his billing.
We’re betting that he does, and that paves the way for his first call-up to the big leagues later this season.
Feb 29, 2016; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder Mike Tauchman (80) poses for photo day at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Mike Tauchman Continues to Make His Presence Felt
In a very crowded outfield, there’s another player lurking at the minor league level who could someday make an impact for the Rockies. We think Mike Tauchman will do some damage at the plate this spring and draw even more attention than he has in the past.
In his four minor league seasons, Tauchman has put together a .292 average. He doesn’t hit with a lot of power, but he hits the ball for average and also has solid speed. In the last two seasons at Double-A and Triple-A, he’s logged a combined 48 stolen bases.
Last season at Triple-A Albuquerque, Tauchman set a team record with a 22-game hitting streak and finished the year with hits in 25 consecutive games. The streak helped raise his average from .258 to .286 at season’s end.
Tauchman has put together some impressive numbers in the minors, including a .294 season in 2015 in his first Double-A season with the New Britain Rock Cats. On his way to earning All-Star honors that season, Tauchman established new career highs in doubles (23), triples (6), total bases (193), stolen bases (25), and walks (47).
Last season, Tauchman started off spring with the Rockies with a .375 with three hits in his first eight at-bats. One of those hits was a two-run triple in Colorado’s 9-5 decision over the San Diego Padres on March 5.
He cooled off from there, however, finishing his time with the Rockies in Arizona with a .154 average.
Yes, there are plenty of prospects in the outfield for the Rockies, but we think Tauchman will have a spring that will surpass many of them.
Nov 7, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies pitcher Kyle Freeland during the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars game at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Kyle Freeland Makes His Mark
We know, we know. Talking about another rookie who has never seen any time at the Major League level may seem a bit risky. However, when you’re talking about players with the skills that Tauchman and Kyle Freeland possess, it’s not a huge risk.
There’s been a lot of talk about who might be the fifth starter for the Colorado Rockies this season. We’re saying that Freeland will make a strong case in Arizona to be that person at some point during the 2017 season.
The former eighth overall pick (and Denver native) has taken all of the steps from rookie ball in 2014 to Triple-A last season. While in Albuquerque last year, Freeland went 6-3 with a 3.97 ERA in 12 starts. It was part of a solid 2016 that saw Freeland log an 11-10 record and 3.89 ERA in 26 starts.
Freeland is competing with Jeff Hoffman and German Marquez, among others, for the fifth starter role. Both those players got Major League experience last season with the Rockies, which may give them a leg up in the competition. However, Freeland has the raw skills to explode onto the scene for the Rockies in 2017.
We think that begins in Arizona with some strong showings on the mound. More than likely, Freeland begins the season in Triple-A. However, the skills he puts on display in Arizona will set the table for success at the MLB level later in the season.
May 14, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies left fielder Gerardo Parra (8) celebrates scoring a run in the third inning against the New York Mets at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Gerardo Parra Shows Up
Signed last January to a three-year, $27.5 million contract, Gerardo Parra had a season to forget in 2016. His -2.8 bWAR was abysmal and unfathomable. He walked just nine times in 381 trips to the plate. He hit just .253 with seven homers and 39 RBI while striking out 73 times. The Rockies were so desperate to find a way to get him in the lineup last season that they even put him at first base, which was a disaster both offensively and defensively.
It was a bad season. However, there are three main reasons to think why Parra will bounce back and be better in 2017. That starts in the spring.
First, it can’t get much worse for Parra this season. He played just 102 games last season after suffering a high ankle sprain in a collision with Story. It was symbolic of a rough year on the field for the 29-year-old outfielder.
Second, Parra’s career numbers show a strong chance for improvement. He’s a career .274 hitter with a .321 on base percentage and .404 slugging percentage. Those would all be numbers above what Parra did last season.
He’s also had the offseason to heal from his high ankle sprain, an injury he battled to overcome throughout the rest of the 2016 season.
Parra won’t beat out David Dahl for the starting left field spot, but a strong spring would help boost confidence in Parra coming off the bench. We think it will happen.
