DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 27: Raimel Tapia #15 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates hitting a walk off single to drive in the wining run in the 11th inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field on May 27, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Signs show that the Colorado Rockies are trending toward contention for the NL West by Nick Bracken

Whether it was Ian Desmond, Gerardo Parra, or any other number of veterans the Colorado Rockies have chosen to play everyday instead of younger players, the cry from fans was always the same. When are we finally going to see this team’s young talent on full display?

Many fans, myself included, could barely watch as struggling veterans swung and missed at pitches in the dirt all while taking playing time away from younger players.

We feared that the team’s top prospects might waste valuable years of their careers in the minor leagues and lose their once high trade value–squandering what was once one of the most promising minor league systems in the game.

Despite a rough start, it seems 2019 is the year when those fears will finally be dispelled. While I would still like to see more chances for the team’s young talent–especially for young arms like Yency Almonte–several young players are finally getting their first real shot at everyday playing time and the results have lifted the Rockies back to .500 for the first time since the opening series of the season.

Raimel Tapia has provided much-needed energy to go along with his 19 extra-base hits and 21 RBI. David Dahl is hitting over .300 and has scored 25 runs despite missing time with an injury. Ryan McMahon has 5 home runs and 19 RBI in only 31 games started. All three have also provided stellar defense with the exception of a few mistakes that can be chalked up to inexperience.

I haven’t even mentioned the club’s top prospect, Brendan Rodgers, who is hitting .313 with 2 doubles and 7 RBI in his first 9 games in the big leagues.

The potential for this lineup in the coming years is through the roof, and we are catching a glimpse of that right now.

The talent is there for the Rockies and if they continue to give it chances, they will continue to be rewarded because these young players are ready to take advantage of their opportunity.