Colorado Rockies 2015 Season Preview: Offense

The 2014 season for the Colorado Rockies was one to forget, just like the 2013 season

Both seemingly started the same way with fast starts out of the gates, followed by injuries that kept piling up, eventually leading to endless losing streaks and frustrated fans. Enter Jeff Bridich, the teams former farm director, as the teams general manager – replacing Dan O’Dowd. O’Dowd apparently ‘stepped-down’ as the teams general manager, leading to Dick Monfort hiring Bridich who was at the time, the teams farm director. Will things begin to take shape for the Rockies at 20th and Blake, or will injuries continue to derail the teams chances?

Catcher: Nick Hundley

Mar 1, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies catcher Nick Hundley poses for a portrait during photo day at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

• Colorado signed the former Padres/Orioles backstop to help out defensively for the young pitching staff, adding a veteran leadership presence. One area Colorado wanted to clean-up was the defensively at the catching position and they did just that with this signing.
• Hundley finished the 2014 season hitting .243 with 7 doubles, 6 home runs, and 22 RBI’s.

1st Base: Justin Morneau

Mar 1, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies infielder Justin Morneau poses for a portrait during photo day at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

• Justin Morneau’s first season as a member of the Colorado Rockies was one for the record books. The 33-year-old slashed at a line of .319/.364/.496, bringing home the National League Batting title.
• People quickly jumped the gun on Morneau, claiming he lost his power that he once possessed as a member of the Minnesota Twins. Morneau notched 32 doubles, 3 triples, 17 home runs, and drove in 82 RBI’s this past season.

2nd Base: D.J. LeMahieu

Mar 1, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies infielder D.J. LeMahieu poses for a portrait during photo day at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

• D.J. LeMahieu put his name on the map if you will during the 2014 campaign. D.J. went on to win his first Rawlings Gold Glove – given to the best player defensively at their position. He went on to commit just six errors on 676 total chances.
• D.J. was no stiff with the bat as well. The former LSU Tiger hit .267 with 15 doubles, 5 triples, 5 home runs, and 42 RBI’s in 149 games played.

3rd Base: Nolan Arenado

Mar 1, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies infielder Nolan Arenado poses for a portrait during photo day at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

• Even though Nolan Arenado suffered a broken thumb that landed him on the disabled-list, that didn’t stop the kid from earning his second-straight Gold Glove. In 111 total games played in 2014, Arenado committed 15 errors on 364 total chances – good for a .959 fielding percentage.
• Colorado will look for Arenado to improve with the stick as well, even though he hit .287 this past season. Arenado collected 34 doubles, 2 triples, 18 home runs, and 61 RBI’s.

Shortstop: Troy Tulowitzki

Mar 1, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies infielder Troy Tulowitzki poses for a portrait during photo day at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

• I could literally write an entire column on just how important Troy Tulowitzki is to the Rockies, but I’ll just have to save that for another time. Tulo is the heart and soul of this team, when he’s healthy, they’re pretty darn good.
• Tulo appeared in just 91 games last season before ending up on the disabled-list. His .340/.432/.603 line accompanied by 18 doubles, 1 triple, 21 home runs, and 52 RBI’s was pretty darn impressive.

Left Field: Corey Dickerson

Mar 1, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies outfielder Corey Dickerson poses for a portrait during photo day at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

• Corey Dickerson burst onto the Major League radar last season with his breakout performance. The native of McComb, Mississippi, hit at a line of .312/.364/.567 with 27 doubles, 6 triples, 24 home runs, and 76 RBI’s.
• Colorado is hoping Dickerson can produce just like he did when both Tulo and CarGo were sidelined for the rest of the season. The sky is the limit for Corey.

Center Field: Charlie Blackmon

Mar 1, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon poses for a portrait during photo day at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

• Talk about another guy who burst onto the scene in Charlie Blackmon. Blackmon’s month of April was one you can’t possibly forget. Blackmon hit .389/.434/.642 with 7 doubles, 1 triple, 5 home runs, 18 RBI’s and 7 walks.
• Overall, Charlie finished off the regular season hitting .288/.335/.440 with 27 doubles, 3 triples, 19 home runs, and 72 RBI’s. Not to mention, Chuck was named to his first All-Star Game.

Right Field: Carlos Gonzalez

Mar 1, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez poses for a portrait during photo day at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

• The other heart and soul guy of the Colorado Rockies is none other than Carlos Gonzalez. CarGo, like Tulo, spent most of the second-half of the season on the disabled-list. 2014 was one to forget for CarGo as he saw career low’s across the board.
• Gonzalez hit an all-time low in terms of batting average, hitting just .238 in 70 games played. CarGo averaged a strikeout per game, striking out 70 times over 70 games played.

Projected Lineup:

1. Charlie Blackmon (CF)
2. Corey Dickerson (LF)
3. Troy Tulowitzki (SS)
4. Carlos Gonzalez (RF)
5. Nolan Arenado (3B)
6. Justin Morneau (1B)
7. Nick Hundley (C)
8. D.J. LeMahieu (2B)
9. Pitchers Spot

Notable Bench players:

OF: Brandon Barnes
OF: Drew Stubbs
C/1B: Wilin Rosario
INF: Daniel Descalso

When healthy, this lineup is as good as any team in the league. It will all come down to health to key players such as Troy Tulowitzki, Nolan Arenado, Carlos Gonzalez ect. for this team to compete in the tough National League West. Also, pitching from both the starting rotation and bullpen will be an area to watch.