Colorado Rockies 2011 Preview, Predictions & Odds

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They couldn’t catch the Giants or Padres last year, but with young studs Gonzalez, Tulowitzki, and Jimenez, the Rockies will be in the thick qf the NL West race again.

Colorado Rockies 2010 MLB Record: 83-79
Colorado Rockies 2010 MLB Home Record: 52-29
Colorado Rockies 2010 MLB Away Record: 31-50

Colorado Rockies 2011 Betting

Colorado Rockies Odds to Win the National League: +1200
Colorado Rockies Odds to Win the World Series: +2500

Colorado Rockies 2011 Preview & Prediction

The Rockies reached the postseason in two of the past four years – 2007 and 2009. They appear capable of returning, not because it’s an odd-numbered year but because they have three of the best young stars in the game in shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, 26, outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, 25, and pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez, 27, and have addressed their offseason needs. To be sure, catcher Chris Iannetta, third baseman Ian Stewart and outfielder Seth Smith must hit better this season. The Rockies also need some sort of offensive revival from first baseman Todd Helton. The Rockies went 52-29 at home, but to contend they must improve upon a 31-50 record on the road, where they hit a paltry .226. The hope is that help in these areas can come from new hitting coach Carney Lansford, who brings an intense approach and has experience with Smith, Stewart and Iannetta as the Triple-A Colorado Springs hitting coach. The Rockies are a good defensive team, although somewhat diminished by the departure of second baseman Clint Barmes. The bullpen, particularly the back end, appears to be a strength. The rotation is strong at the top with Jimenez and Jorge De La Rosa, and promising in the middle with Jhoulys Chacin, but there is some cause for concern at the back end.

Colorado Rockies Manager: Jim Tracy – Third year Record: 157-121

The eternally optimistic Tracy is a players’ manager, trusting his guys to perform while trying to put them into situations that favor their abilities. That style has worked well in Colorado.

Colorado Rockies 2011 Projected Batting Order: CF Dexter Fowler (S), RF Seth Smith (L), LF Carlos Gonzalez (L), SS Troy Tulowltzkl (R), 1B Todd Helton (L), 2B Jose Lopez (R), 3B Ian Stewart (L), C Chris Iannetta (R).

Colorado Rockies 2011 Projected Rotation: RH Ubaldo Jimenez, LH Jorge De La Rosa, RH Jhoulys Chacin, RH Aaron Cook, RH Jason Hammel.

Colorado Rockies 2011 Projected Closer: RH Huston Street

2011 Colorado Rockies Offense:

OF Dexter Fowler will play fulltime. He posted a .371 OBP in 212 PA’s as a leadoff hitter last year. He gets on base enough to hit NO.2, but there’s little to like about 1B Todd Helton, especially his lack of power. OF Carlos Gonzalez is a beast, but there are some warts: He strikes out a ton as an aggressive hitter, his .384 BABIP is a bit fluky and he’s ordinary away from Coors (.289, 8 HR in 71 games). SS Troy Tulowitzki is poised for an MVP-type season as long as Gonzalez is getting on base in front of him . 2B eligibility is gone, but 3B Ian Stewart has 30-HR upside. A disastrous finish to ’10 (.192 BA after the break) has OF Seth Smith in limbo. He could platoon with OF Ryan Spilgorghs. C Chris Iannetta has power, but strikes out alot and will never hit for average. Jose Lopez could push speedster Eric Young JR. for the second base role. Lopez has the pop to be intriguing in Coors. Utility man Ty Wigginton can swing it and could fill in at either CI spot.

2011 Colorado Rockies Rotation:

Yes, Ubaldo Jimenez has arguably the best stuff in the bigs and is an absolute stud. But he was a bit fortunate last year, as his bouts with control problems didn’t burn him often until late in the year. Lefty Jorge De La Rosa is adecent second-tier starter. His control isn’t always there and Coors Field will be a drag on his ERA, but he misses a fair number of bats. Aaron Cook got it done with smoke and mirrors for a few years before falling apart in 2010. Cook could hang in because he induces so many groundballs, but he’s not worth the risk in fantasy leagues because of his lack of strikeouts. Jason Hammel is a serviceable middle-of-the-rotation arm but is tough to trust in fantasy leagues. 23-year-old Jhoulys Chacin has a chance to be their second-best pitcher. Colorado might have him on a pitch count though, limiting his upside for 2011. Felipe Paulino will likely settle in as a long reliever. Esmil Rogers could be up midseason if injuries hit.

2011 Colorado Rockies Bullpen:

Huston Street pitched through just about every injury imaginable late last year, which contributed toward his subpar finish. He’s abit injury prone, but now that he’s 100 percent again he’s a potential top 10 closer. Rafael Betancourt was phenomenal last year and should have fantasy value because of his outstanding WHIP and strikeout rate. Matt Lindstrom was acquired from the Astros in late December. He is a hard-throwing set-up man with closing experience, and he’d probably fill the ninth-inning role if something were to happen to Street.

2011 Colorado Rockies Middle Infield:

Tulowitzki, who signed a seven-year, $134 million contract extension that runs through 2020, is the total package — a cleanup hitter who also hits for average and plays superb defense. Tulowitzki is also the team’s best leader, outspoken when necessary in the clubhouse and comfortable with that responsibility. The Rockies hope second baseman Jose Lopez, acquired from the Mariners, can provide the offense he did prior to a poor 2010. If Lopez ends up with the bulk of the playing time at second base, it’s likely Jonathan Herrera will be a late-inning defensive replacement.

2011 Colorado Rockies Corners:

Helton continues to play very good defense. Even with his diminished power, the Rockies hope Helton, 37, can supply more punch than last year when his output dwindled to eight homers, 37 RBIs and a .367 slugging percentage. Newcomer Ty Wigginton gives the Rockies a right-handed hitting alternative to both Helton and third baseman Ian Stewart. A solid defender with plus power, Stewart made better contact last year than he did in 2009 before a strained right oblique and then the flu essentially ended his season in late August. The Rockies believe Lansford’s guidance can help Stewart be more a consistent hitter, particularly against left-handed pitchers.

2011 Colorado Rockies Outfield:

The Rockies have two outstanding defensive outfielders in Gonzalez and center fielder Dexter Fowler. Gonzalez is the reigning NL batting champion and the quintessential five-tool player. He hit leadoff extensively until June 22 when he was moved to third, where he has found a niche. The switch-hitting Fowler was a markedly better left-handed hitter after returning from a month in the minors in late June. Smith, a lefty, and Ryan Spilborghs, a right-handed hitter, are adequate defensively and streaky hitters.

2011 Colorado Rockies Catching:

Iannetta has good receiving skills and works well with the pitchers. He has decent power and can draw walks but needs to relax at the plate. Jose Morales, a switch-hitter acquired from the Twins, has minimal power and won’t be a defensive upgrade over Iannetta but has shown an ability to reach base. For depth, the Rockies have Mike McKenry, who earned a September call-up, and Matt Pagnozzi, signed to a minor league contract.

2011 Colorado Rockies Bench:

Wigginton can play first base, second and third and even the outfield, and he gives the Rockies a much-needed versatile right-handed bat and power threat off the bench. Smith is a career .330 pinch hitter (38-for-115) with five homers, 32 RBIs and a .635 slugging percentage. Spilborghs led the Rockies with 13 pinch hits last year and tied for second on the club with eight pinch-hit RBIs behind Smith (12). Assuming Lopez starts at second base, the Rockies will have to decide which two to keep from among Jonathan Herrera, Chris Nelson and Eric Young Jr. Either of the first two will provide better defense, but Young has exceptional speed. The Rockies signed veterans Jason Giambi, Joe Crede and Willy Taveras to minor league deals in hopes they will make the team and add depth to the bench.

Colorado Rockies 2011 Season Predictions

The Rockies have just about everything you look for in a legitimate contender: a core group ofyoung position players headlined by Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez, an ace in Ubaldo Jimenez, and pitching depth behind him. They should be in the mix from day one, though toppling the World Series champion Giants may be too tall a task for this group. – We predict that the Colorado Rockies will finish 89-73 & 2nd in the NL West Division.

Colorado Rockies 5-Year Win Trend

2006: T-4th NL West East 76
2007: 2nd NL West 90
2008: 3rd NL West 74
2009: 2nd NL West 92
2010: 3rd NL West 83

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