The Colorado Rockies are at a crossroads heading into the 2024 season. However, they do have an improved roster, young prospects, and a couple of all-stars.
It seems 2024 may be an improvement from last year but they still have work to do to be a contender. The Rockies have some exciting young players and a couple of veteran players. Here is how the Rockies’ expectations and reality could play out the rest of the offseason into the new season.
Crossroads 2024
Embed from Getty Images EmbedThe Rockies once again plucked from The Rays’ fruitful starting pitching tree when they elected Anthony Molina in the Rule 5 Draft. He is a right-handed pitcher who had 102 strikeouts in 122 combined innings in MILB. They hope this move works out as well as the German Marquez deal in 2016. Marquez helped lead the club to the postseason in 2017 and 2018. They hope he can stay healthy and pick up where he left off for the 2024 season.
For now, the Rockies’ most experienced starting pitchers are Austin Gomber and Kyle Freeland. Also, they obtained Cal Quantrill from the Guardians this offseason. The Rockies continue to find ways to fill starting pitching holes, but it is hard to get pitchers to come to Coors Field. There will be younger prospects attending spring training to compete for spots. Alan Trejo and Sean Bouchard will be top candidates as they can play multiple positions and find ways to get on base.
Young Players and All-Stars
Standard code Embed from Getty ImagesThe Rockies revamped roster features three exciting rookies like Nolan Jones who finished fourth in Rookie of the Year votes. He caught fire in the second half of 2023 with a .297 average and twenty home runs. Star center fielder Brenton Doyle was a Gol Glove winner and can hit for power. Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar’s 2023 rookie season lived up to the hype. He hit fifteen home runs and 147 hits which is amazing for a player who is only twenty-two.
All-Star Kris Bryant will be playing first base most of the time in 2024. They hope that it helps with his injuries so they can keep his bat in the lineup. Charlie Blackmon will be the designated hitter but he will play outfield occasionally. Both players are crucial to the Rockies’ success because they are some of the hottest hitters in their lineup.
The Colorado Rockies are going into the new season with hope for a better year. They are betting that the young players will play as well as last year. Considering all their obstacles and low expectations, it will be interesting to see how 2024 plays out for them. Stay tuned for more MLB news and stories.
Featured Image: Photo by Helen. H Richardson /Media News Group/ The Denver Post via Getty Images.
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