The 2016 Rockies may not be amazing, but they are nowhere near as bad as people thought they would be. This piece aims to analyze the 2016 Colorado Rockies.
Now these Rockies, they aren't your typical Rockies, they aren't what people expected them to be. This team is different. I'm not saying they are the best team, but they are nowhere near the level people thought they would be playing at. No one expected them to be a .500 team. We have lived in the times of the bad Rockies, but reform is coming. And it is visible.
The offense, well what can I say. The Rockies always seem to have a solid offensive team. They will go through tough times, but they are usually solid. In recent years, they have struggled against lefties, but that's where guys like Ryan Raburn come into play, guys who typically crush southpaws. Raburn was a late sign, but Bridich and company definitely did a great job hunting the free agent market. Add to that other additions, Mark Reynolds and Gerardo Parra. And calling up Trevor Story. Yeah, that kid is gonna be something. Heck, he is something. Trevor has already made history in just the first month of the season offensively, and that is just the start of things for him. Yeah, he's struck out a fair share (not at all helped by the umpires at times), but I'm sure he'll adjust (much like Nolan Arenado has over the years in terms of strikeouts), and he's also had a number of great at bats that have resulted in walks. Add the newbies to the usuals, like Nolan, Carlos Gonzalez, DJ LeMahieu, and Charlie Blackmon, and you have a good offensive team.
The starting pitching, that has definitely improved as well. Tyler Chatwood is back after recovering from Tommy John surgery, and he has dominated, especially (and one could say mostly) on the road, where he has a 0.33 ERA. Those numbers have been inflated at home, but he has still been very good overall. Chad Bettis has also shown his share of great starts and has generally fared very well. Jon Gray has definitely come into the pitcher we thought he would be all along. At times he has struggled, but the stuff has always been there, and he has finally put it all together and gained confidence. This guy will be exciting to watch for years to come Eddie Butler was brought up once again from AAA Albuquerque, thoroughly impressing fans with what he's done. Ever since he first came up in 2014, he has struggled, contrary to the hype, but he has looked impressive in what we have seen of him thus far. Chris Rusin had a great first start, and he has suffered a bit since then, but serviceable. When he is on, he's on, but when he's not spot on, he struggles (somehow he gave up 7 runs against the Giants and still got the win due to a massive offensive turnout that burst out for 17 runs), yielding way to inconsistency (as if we didn't already see this last year). Butler and Rusin replace Jorge De La Rosa, who is on the DL with a groin injury, and Jordan Lyles, who initially made the rotation but struggled and was optioned to AAA.
They have also made additions to the bullpen. The bullpen has seen its up and downs, per usual, but there is promise there. For example, Carlos Estevez, who has been called up and shows poise, and despite some struggling outings, has shown great stuff and had great outings. Christian Bergman has been great in long relief, as expected of him. Scott Oberg has suffered from what he did last year, that is the home run, some, but there is promise and improvement there as well. Justin Miller has also performed in line with last year, until he is extended over an inning. Yeah, don't extend him over an inning, or else he will fall apart. End of story there. Just don't do it. Boone Logan has been Boone Logan, showing his veteran presence, generally good against lefties, and somehow managing to keep a low ERA thus far by means of inherited runners. But I do think this is the best we've seen him since he's been with the Rockies. Chad Qualls has been a solid pickup, but has had hiccups & not so sharp outings here and there (accounting for his 5.40 ERA, aka why ERA is not the best measure for bullpen guys). So far, Gonzalez Germen looks solid and better than last year, and closer acquisition Jake McGee has not dazzled as much as expected (the blown save against the Dodgers especially comes to mind). His strikeout rate has been down, and he still makes me nervous ever since the Dodger incident, but he seems to be good when he is on his game and into a groove. Adam Ottavino is still recovering from Tommy John, and when he returns it will be interesting how they slot him in if McGee is still around. Oh, and Miguel Castro also impressed until he went on the 15-Day DL, and acquisition Jason Motte has yet to see action, as he has been on the 15-Day DL since Opening Day.
The defense is still the defense. Nolan still has 10,000,000 Nolan being Nolan plays, DJ shines, and CarGo still has an arm, and Charlie makes good plays. Story, the rookie, has impressed as well, as have new additions Mark Reynolds and Gerardo Parra. Reynolds has proven to be a great defensive first baseman, and don't run on Parra either, or bad things will happen.
The Rockies may not be an amazing team, but they have definitely made improvements and are nowhere near as bad as some thought they would be (not to mention the prospects coming up, though their major league ability unknown, that have been doing well). This team will be great. Soon. Very soon.
Now these Rockies, they aren't your typical Rockies, they aren't what people expected them to be. This team is different. I'm not saying they are the best team, but they are nowhere near the level people thought they would be playing at. No one expected them to be a .500 team. We have lived in the times of the bad Rockies, but reform is coming. And it is visible.
The offense, well what can I say. The Rockies always seem to have a solid offensive team. They will go through tough times, but they are usually solid. In recent years, they have struggled against lefties, but that's where guys like Ryan Raburn come into play, guys who typically crush southpaws. Raburn was a late sign, but Bridich and company definitely did a great job hunting the free agent market. Add to that other additions, Mark Reynolds and Gerardo Parra. And calling up Trevor Story. Yeah, that kid is gonna be something. Heck, he is something. Trevor has already made history in just the first month of the season offensively, and that is just the start of things for him. Yeah, he's struck out a fair share (not at all helped by the umpires at times), but I'm sure he'll adjust (much like Nolan Arenado has over the years in terms of strikeouts), and he's also had a number of great at bats that have resulted in walks. Add the newbies to the usuals, like Nolan, Carlos Gonzalez, DJ LeMahieu, and Charlie Blackmon, and you have a good offensive team.
The starting pitching, that has definitely improved as well. Tyler Chatwood is back after recovering from Tommy John surgery, and he has dominated, especially (and one could say mostly) on the road, where he has a 0.33 ERA. Those numbers have been inflated at home, but he has still been very good overall. Chad Bettis has also shown his share of great starts and has generally fared very well. Jon Gray has definitely come into the pitcher we thought he would be all along. At times he has struggled, but the stuff has always been there, and he has finally put it all together and gained confidence. This guy will be exciting to watch for years to come Eddie Butler was brought up once again from AAA Albuquerque, thoroughly impressing fans with what he's done. Ever since he first came up in 2014, he has struggled, contrary to the hype, but he has looked impressive in what we have seen of him thus far. Chris Rusin had a great first start, and he has suffered a bit since then, but serviceable. When he is on, he's on, but when he's not spot on, he struggles (somehow he gave up 7 runs against the Giants and still got the win due to a massive offensive turnout that burst out for 17 runs), yielding way to inconsistency (as if we didn't already see this last year). Butler and Rusin replace Jorge De La Rosa, who is on the DL with a groin injury, and Jordan Lyles, who initially made the rotation but struggled and was optioned to AAA.
They have also made additions to the bullpen. The bullpen has seen its up and downs, per usual, but there is promise there. For example, Carlos Estevez, who has been called up and shows poise, and despite some struggling outings, has shown great stuff and had great outings. Christian Bergman has been great in long relief, as expected of him. Scott Oberg has suffered from what he did last year, that is the home run, some, but there is promise and improvement there as well. Justin Miller has also performed in line with last year, until he is extended over an inning. Yeah, don't extend him over an inning, or else he will fall apart. End of story there. Just don't do it. Boone Logan has been Boone Logan, showing his veteran presence, generally good against lefties, and somehow managing to keep a low ERA thus far by means of inherited runners. But I do think this is the best we've seen him since he's been with the Rockies. Chad Qualls has been a solid pickup, but has had hiccups & not so sharp outings here and there (accounting for his 5.40 ERA, aka why ERA is not the best measure for bullpen guys). So far, Gonzalez Germen looks solid and better than last year, and closer acquisition Jake McGee has not dazzled as much as expected (the blown save against the Dodgers especially comes to mind). His strikeout rate has been down, and he still makes me nervous ever since the Dodger incident, but he seems to be good when he is on his game and into a groove. Adam Ottavino is still recovering from Tommy John, and when he returns it will be interesting how they slot him in if McGee is still around. Oh, and Miguel Castro also impressed until he went on the 15-Day DL, and acquisition Jason Motte has yet to see action, as he has been on the 15-Day DL since Opening Day.
The defense is still the defense. Nolan still has 10,000,000 Nolan being Nolan plays, DJ shines, and CarGo still has an arm, and Charlie makes good plays. Story, the rookie, has impressed as well, as have new additions Mark Reynolds and Gerardo Parra. Reynolds has proven to be a great defensive first baseman, and don't run on Parra either, or bad things will happen.
The Rockies may not be an amazing team, but they have definitely made improvements and are nowhere near as bad as some thought they would be (not to mention the prospects coming up, though their major league ability unknown, that have been doing well). This team will be great. Soon. Very soon.
