2008 Colorado Rockies Outlook
2007: (90-73), 2nd place
Manager: Clint Hurdle (7th season)
Key Additions -
P - Mark Redmond
Key Losses -
2B - Kaz Matsui (to HOU)
Projected Starting Lineup -
C - Yorvit Torrealba
1B - Todd Helton
2B - Jayson Nix
SS - Troy Tulowitzki
3B - Garrett Atkins
LF - Matt Holliday
CF - Willy Taveras
RF - Brad Hawpe
Projected Rotation -
1 - Jeff Francis (L)
2 - Aaron Cook (R)
3 - Ubaldo Jimenez (R)
4 - Franklin Morales (L)
5 - Mark Redmond (L)
CL: Manny Corpas (R)
SU: Brian Fuentes (L), Luis Vizciano (R)
2008 Outlook:
The Colorado Rockies spent the latter half of the 2007 season as the darling of baseball by making one of the most improbable runs in recent baseball memory. They clinched the National League Wild Card by defeating San Diego in a one-game playoff and continued their run by blazing through the NL Playoffs, before Boston brought them to reality by sweeping the World Series.
The Rockies come into 2008 wanting to prove last year was no fluke. Leading the way is superstar left fielder Matt Holliday. Holliday posted an exceptional year by hitting .340 with 36 homeruns and 137 RBI’s. He also put up an OPS at 1.102 and finished second in the NL MVP voting.
Along with Holliday, the Rockies boast a youthful but tremendous lineup. Scoring runs should be no problem this year, as the speedy Willy Taveras and Troy Tulowitzki set the table for a powerful middle of the order. Taveras is a thief on the basepaths, swiping 33 bases last season, and Tulowitzki hit .291, 24 HR, 99 RBI, and scored 104 runs himself.
Holliday will be protected in the lineup by veteran Todd Helton, and emerging stars Garrett Atkins and Brad Hawpe. Helton still hit .320 last year, and Atkins and Hawpe both posted 25+ homeruns and 100+ RBI’s. Overall, the Rockies have one of the most potent and powerful lineups in the National League.
If the Rockies have a weakness, it is the starting pitching. Colorado does not have a lot of experience and will be relying on young arms who showed flashes of brilliance late in the 2007 season, but it remains to be seen if these youngsters can put a full season together.
Jeff Francis returns as the ace of the staff. Francis won 17 games a year ago, but posted a pedestrian ERA of 4.22 and a high WHIP of 1.38. Francis is maturing as a pitcher, and needs to improve his ratios to move to the next level. Sinkerballer Aaron Cook is a solid starter. Cook fought through injuries to win 8 games and post an ERA of 4.12 a year ago. The Rockies will need to make sure these two arms are healthy the entire 2008 campaign.
Two young guns fill the next two spots in the rotation. Ubaldo Jimenez pitched great in September and October, and posted a K/9 rate of 7.5, which conveys his electric stuff. Franklin Morales finished the 2007 season with an ERA of 3.43, while winning 3 games in 8 starts. If these two pitchers live up to expectations, the Rockies could easily be back in the Fall Classic. Veteran left Mark Redmond finishes out the rotation, but don’t be surprised if Jason Hirsch takes the fifth spot when he returns from injury.
Brian Fuentes, Luis Vizciano, and Matt Herges will attempt to protect leads for Manny Corpas, who will be asked to close the door. Corpas saved 19 games a year ago, while posting a terrific ERA of 2.08 and a WHIP of 1.06. He seems to be ready for this role.
Overall the Rockies are trying to turn to the 2007 feel-good story into 2008 dominance. The Rockies are in a tough division, and will be battling Arizona, Los Angeles, and San Diego all year long. If the pitching comes around, expect the Rockies to be back in the 2008 postseason because we all know this team will score runs, especially in the always hitter-friendly park known as Coors Field.
Fantasy Impact:
Holliday should be a middle first round pick in all formats. His numbers have improved every year, and his 2007 stats will make any fantasy owner drool. Holliday is a lock for .325+ AVG, 35+ HR, 125+RBI, 100+ R, and the added bonus of about 10 bases being swiped.
Tulowitzki, Hawpe, and Atkins are all early-to-middle round selections. All have shown the ability to hit for power and average, and all have posted an OPS of .804+. Tulowitzki is a great fantasy option for the shortstop position. Helton is
not the force he once was, but he will hit for average and still drive in runs. He has a career average of .332, and will be a decent value pick in the middle to late rounds. In terms of stolen bases, Taveras will help, but that is about all he’ll do, even though he did post a career-high OPS of .748.
Francis is a solid fantasy play, but Jimenez could be a huge sleeper. He has great stuff and is still learning to master the game. Keep an eye on Jimenez in April and May. We like Corpas as a closer and expect him to be drafted in the top tier of closers. He easily has the ability to put up a 40 save season with a great ERA and WHIP.
2008 projection: (88-74), 3rd place
Team MVP: Garrett Atkins
Also, check out our NL West preview with links to our team outlooks for each of Colorado’s division foes.
Derek Rang
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