The Rockies’ 2023 season-opener against the Padres in San Diego is 37 days away.
Stuff can happen and usually does. An injury, a breakout performance, a disappointing camp or, perhaps, even a trade, can alter the opening-day roster.
But as it stands now, Colorado’s 2023 roster won’t look that much different than the 2022 version that posted a 68-94 record. However, if former National League MVP Kris Bryant can stay healthy and play left field after playing in just 42 games last season, the daily lineup should be deeper and more productive.
And while the roster won’t go through a seismic shift during spring training, there is some heated competition.
“We are going to look at a number of different players and a number of different scenarios to see what makes sense for our team when we start the season,” manager Bud Black said. “There are probably eight to 10 guys for three or four spots.”
Keeping Black’s words in mind, here is an early projection of Colorado’s roster:
Starting rotation (5): Lefties Kyle Freeland and Austin Gomber, and right-handers German Marquez, Jose Urena, and Ryan Feltner.
The Rockies continue to insist that right-hander Antonio Senzatela will be back in the rotation at some point in March after undergoing ACL surgery on his left knee in September. Time will tell.
Barring an injury, the aforementioned six pitchers will make up the rotation, but right-hander Peter Lambert (back from an elbow injury), and trade acquisitions Connor Seabold (right-hander, Red Sox) and Jeff Criswell (right-hander, Athletics) will get long looks in Cactus League games. Also, former Blue Jays first-rounder T.J. Zeuch, a right-hander invited to camp with a minor-league contract, will get a chance to show what he can do.
Bullpen (8): Right-handers Daniel Bard, Pierce Johnson, Dinelson Lamet, Justin Lawrence, Nick Mears and Jake Bird, and lefties Brent Suter and Lucas Gilbreath.
The relief situation will be fluid throughout the season, but as it stands now, Bard will be the closer, and Pierce Johnson will be the primary set-up man. Suter, a newcomer, and Gilbreath, who’s returning from a shoulder injury, will share time as the lefty specialist.
Bird is penciled into the bullpen, but he sustained a strained left oblique Monday while working a bullpen session and will be shut down for at least a week. His injury opens the door wider for Riley Pint, Gavin Hollowell and Phillips Valdez, as well as for veteran lefties Fernando Abad, Logan Allen and Josh Rogers — all non-roster invitees.
Catcher (2): Elias Díaz, Brian Serven.
The Rockies are set behind the plate unless there is an injury. Black loves the franchise’s young catching talent, led by Drew Romo, but those catchers aren’t ready for prime time.
So the Rockies are hoping for a rebound performance from Diaz, who sizzled from June to the end of the season in 2021 (283/.346/.550, 17 home runs), but fizzled in 2022 (.228/.281/.368, nine homers).
They expect continued growth from Serven.
First base (1): C.J. Cron.
Cron was Colorado’s lone All-Star last season before slumping in the second half, in part because of a wrist injury. He posted a .298/.350/.552 slash line and hit 21 homers in 90 games before the break, but slashed .197/.263/.341 with eight homers in 60 second-half games.
Second base (1): Brendan Rodgers.
The 2015 first-round pick won his first National League Gold Glove award and overcame an April slump to put together a solid season (.266/.325/.408, 13 homers). If Rodgers can become more consistent at the plate, the Rockies see him as a potential All-Star.
Shortstop (1): Ezequiel Tovar.
Big things are expected of Tovar, the No. 25 prospect in the MLB Pipeline Top 100. The starting job is his to lose and the Rockies believe he will thrive in his rookie season.
Third base (1): Ryan McMahon.
After signing a six-year, $70 million contract early last year, McMahon struggled at the plate and in the field. The Rockies remain hopeful he can hit 30 homers and play elite defense.
Outfield (3): Bryant, Yonathan Daza and TBD.
Randal Grichuk, who will likely miss the season-opener after undergoing surgery to repair a sports hernia, was supposed to start in right field and share time in center with Daza. His absence creates an opportunity for prospect Brenton Doyle, first baseman/right fielder Michael Toglia and Sean Bouchard.
Designated hitter (1): Charlie Blackmon.
Blackmon, 36, will be the primary DH but will also see duty in right field.
Bench/Utility (3): Harold Castro, Elehuris Montero and Bouchard.
Grichuk’s injury had a domino effect, giving Castro an opening because he can play middle infield as well as the outfield. But don’t count out middle infielder Alan Trejo, a steady fielder who improved offensively late last season. Montero, who came from the Cardinals in the Nolan Arenado trade, has power and the Rockies would like to have that potential on the bench.
A number of other players could make the roster if they have a solid camp but Bouchard’s outfield experience could give him the edge over Nolan Jones (who also plays third base) and Toglia.
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