Colorado Rockies 2010 Preview, Predictions & Odds

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Colorado Rockies 2009 MLB Record: 92-70
Colorado Rockies 2009 MLB Home Record: 51-30
Colorado Rockies 2009 MLB Away Record: 41-40

Colorado Rockies 2010 Betting

Colorado Rockies Odds to Win the National League: 10/1
Colorado Rockies Odds to Win the World Series: 20/1

Colorado Rockies 2010 Preview & Prediction

The Rockies enter the 2010 season with high expectations. That’s hardly surprising after their stunning turnaround last year when Jim Tracy replaced Clint Hurdle and instilled a winning attitude in the clubhouse. After what was by design a quiet winter, the Rockies, winners of a franchise-record 92 games last year and the wild card entrant in the National League playoffs, again should be contenders in the NL West. The first division title in franchise history is not a stretch. Their rotation is solid enough, and could even be more of a strength if Ubaldo Jimenez, who has all the talent to become a true No. 1 starter, realizes that potential this season. The bullpen features an accomplished closer in Huston Street and the means to get to him with capable set-up places. The Rockies’ infield defense is airtight with Ian Stewart at third base, Troy Tulowitzki at shortstop, Clint Barmes at second base and Todd Helton at first. Carlos Gonzalez in left field and Dexter Fowler in center are pluses on defense, where the only below-average player is right fielder Brad Hawpe. Catcher Chris Iannetta is also an asset on defense. The Rockies hope Stewart and Iannetta, both of whom have hit for power, become more consistent on offense, a reasonable expectation given their abilities and relative inexperience. Depth in the rotation could be a problem should the Rockies lose a starter to injury for a prolonged period. Prospects such as Jhoulys Chacin and Esmil Rogers will start the season at Triple-A and should be ready to contribute in the majors during the season. And left hander Greg Smith, limited by injuries to 11 starts and not quite 50 innings in the minors last year after throwing 190.1 innings as a rookie for the A’s in 2008, could help the Rockies this year.

The Rockies are capable of building on their 2009 success and winning the National League West. With an ownership divorce creating uncertainty about the finances of the Dodgers, there is no longer a preeminent team in the division. The Rockies have a host of young players who gained valuable experience in the postseason last year and will be better for it. Their final seven games will present a test – three at home against the Dodgers and four on the road against the Cardinals. But those should be games of consequence for the Rockies, who appear to be well-rounded enough to challenge for the division title.

Colorado Rockies Manager: Jim Tracy (8 Seasons) Record: 636 – 614

Colorado Rockies 2010 Projected Batting Order: LF Carlos Gonzalez (L), CF Dexter Fowler (S), 18 Todd Helton (L), SS Troy Tulowltzkl (R), RF Brad Hawpe (L), C Chris lannetta (R), 3B Ian Stewart (L), 2B Clint Barmes (R)

Colorado Rockies 2010 Projected Rotation: RH Ubaldo Jimenez, LH Jeff Francis, RH Aaron Cook, LH Jorge De La Rosa, RH Jason Hammel

Colorado Rockies 2010 Projected Closer: RH Huston Street

2010 Colorado Rockies Rotation:

Jason Marquis, who made the All-Star team but was nowhere near as effective in the second half, is gone but should be adequately replaced by Jeff Francis, who missed the entire 2009 season following shoulder surgery. Jimenez has the stuff, demeanor and work ethic to be an ace and at 26, he might be ready live up to that billing now that he has 500-plus major league innings on his resume. Aaron Cook is 27-15 with a 4.05 ERA over the past two seasons. He’s dependable at worst and typically far better than that because of a vaunted sinker. Jorge De La Rosa had a career year in 2009, and with free agency looming, he will have ample motivation this season. He has swing-and-miss stuff and has gotten much better at harnessing his emotions in times of duress. The Rockies won 17 of Jason Hammel’s 25 starts after May 24, which is a virtually off the charts success rate for a fifth starter.

2009-2010 Colorado Rockies Bullpen:

Street and set-up man Rafael Betancourt anchor an effective bullpen that could be buoyed by the return of Taylor Buchholz sometime over the summer. Buchholz, who missed the entire 2009 season, underwent Tommy John surgery in June. Left hander Franklin Morales has found his niche in relief, and Matt Belisle was extremely impressive after a September recall. Matt Daley wore down the final six weeks of his first big league season. Manuel Corpas didn’t pitch after July 20 because of elbow problems but threw well in winter ball. Corpas could fit in nicely in the seventh inning before Betancourt, at least until Buchholz returns and finds a groove. Randy Flores is an adequate, inexpensive left-handed specialist.

2010 Colorado Rockies Middle Infield:

Tulowitzki and Barmes are superb defensively and hit with power. In Barmes’ case, he doesn’t hit enough overall, flailing too often at breaking pitches away and trying too hard at times to pull the ball. Tulowitzki, one of the team’s primary leaders, is an All-Star in the making if he can just avoid his typical slow start. He took over the cleanup role soon after the All-Star break last year and hit .344 with 12 homers and 41 RBI’s in 195 at-bats batting fourth.

2010 Colorado Rockies Corners:

Helton reestablished himself after suffering through the 2008 season with back trouble. He’s an outstanding defensive player who hits for high average and can be counted on for an on-base percentage above .400. Helton, who turns 37 in August, hits fewer homers at this point in his career but nearly as many doubles as before and is a master at fouling off balls and making pitchers work. Stewart has tremendous power; his 25 homers were second on the team last year behind only Tulowitzki (32). Stewart is a very good defensive player – vastly better than the departed Garrett Atkins, who played the position the first two months of 2009 – but must cut down his 138 strikeouts, or one every 3.1 at bats last year. The Rockies are counting on Stewart, who has only 734 at-bats in the majors, to grow into a more consistent hitter as he gains experience.

2010 Colorado Rockies Outfield:

Gonzalez is a budding star in left field who had a .992 OPS after the All-Star break. He can play the other two outfield positions and ultimately because of his strong arm will take over in right field for Hawpe. In his rookie season, Fowler, who never played at the Triple-A level, went from surviving early on to contributing down the stretch. He’s a true center fielder, a necessity at spacious Coors Field, and will only get better with more experience. Hawpe tailed off badly in the second half after making the All-Star team. He has a plus arm but is otherwise below average defensively. Hawpe has natural loft in his powerful swing and frequently walks, but he strikes out a lot and did so to an alarming degree in the second half of the 2009 season.

2010 Colorado Rockies Catching:

The Rockies believe Iannetta will rebound this year and count that expected improvement as a reason the team’s offense will be better this season. He works well with the pitchers and is fine defensively. He hit 16 home runs and managed to compile a .460 slugging percentage despite hitting just .228. Depth at this position was addressed in early January when the Rockies signed Miguel Olivo.

2010 Colorado Rockies Bench:

The Rockies have very good outfield depth with Ryan Spilborghs, a right-handed hitter, and Seth Smith, who bats left-handed. Smith went 17-for-36 (.472) as a pinch-hitter last year and is 31-for-78 (.397) lifetime in that role. Spilborghs is a high-energy gap hitter with a .311 career average pinch-hitting. Eric Young Jr. provides speed off the bench and can play the outfield as well as second base. A switch-hitter, Young didn’t appear overwhelmed offensively in a brief stay with the Rockies at the end of the 2009 season.

Colorado Rockies 2010 Season Predictions

We predict that the Colorado Rockies will finish 2nd in the NL West Division .

Colorado Rockies 5-Year Win Trend

2009: 2nd NL West 92
2008: 3rd NL West 74
2007: 2nd NL West 90
2006: T-4th NL West 76
2005: 5th NL West 67

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