2014 Final Record — 66-96 (4th Place)

2015 Projected Record — 69-93 (4th Place)

Another year, another disappointing season. The injury bug ravaged the Rockies again last year where the middle of their order missed considerable time throughout the season. Their projected rotation didn’t pan out the way they envisioned. Unfortunately, Colorado did very little to bolster their team over the offseason. They added a few bench guys, bullpen and back of the rotation guys. This year looks to be another long one in Colorado. The perfect storm would need to take place where their talented hitters remained healthy and their young prospects take over the rotation and pitch “lights out.” Let’s take a look at the potential fantasy impact of Rockies’ roster.

Projected Starting Lineup

1 Charlie Blackmon – CF Doesn’t get on base the way a leadoff man should, but the only player on the team that will threaten to steal 20 bases. He should also chip in 15+ HRs 2 Nolan Arenado – 3B Not sure they will bat him 2nd, but they should. Best contact hitter on the team and ready to breakout if he can stay healthy. 20+ HRs, 85+ RBIs and .290 AVG are reasonable expectations 3 Justin Morneau – 1B The elder statesman on the team fits in nicely in Colorado. While no longer a MVP candidate, he should hit 15-20 HRs while slashing .300/.350/.450 4 Troy Tulowitzki – SS Best hitter on the team (and maybe the league) if he can stay on the field. Good plate discipline could allow him to slash ..320/.400/.575. This would be MVP numbers especially when you add 30 HRs, 95 RBIs as a shortstop 5 Carlos Gonzalez – RF Once a 30/30 threat, CarGo can still be a dangerous hitter when healthy. Even if he gets 550+ ABs, he probably struggles to get 25 HRs, 90 RBIs. Could be a borderline .300 hitter despite an aggressive approach at the plate. Expect over 100 K with less than 50 walks. 6 Corey Dickerson/Drew Stubbs – LF Dickerson was a breakout player that was somewhat unexpected. He displayed great power and still hit for a decent average despite high strikeout rate. Stubbs will get the start against tough lefties, but Dickerson should still hit over 30 HRs. 7 Wilin Rosario/Nick Hundley – C Rosario never seems to live up to expectations. Nice source of power for the catching position, but not much else. 8 DJ LeMahieu – 2B Depth middle infielder. He won’t help you in any particular category but can be a nice plug-and-play in deeper leagues

As you would expect in Colorado, there is a lot of power potential, but no speed to speak of. CarGo is no longer a 1st round pick, but Tulo would still be worth a first round pick in most leagues. The lack of depth on the bench really puts pressure on the starters to stay on the field. I like Arenado to have the breakout season that many expected him to have last year. The 23-year-old has the tools to be a star and provide solid fantasy output in relatively weak position. Probably the most disappointing thing is there are no hitting prospects that are primed to make an impact in 2015. This is NOT to say they have no hitting talent in the minors. They have a handful of young OFs that could take the league by storm in a few years. Unfortunately, that is likely a few years off. They have a power hitting catching prospect in Tom Murphy, but he likely will max at AAA this season.

Projected Rotation

1 Jorge De La Rosa #1 starter due to experience and only one likely to win more games than lose. Could win 15 games if healthy but ERA likely over 4 and barely 6.5 K/9 2 Jhoulys Chacin Serviceable fantasy starter but should be depth and not relied on. Should be the only projected starter under a 4 ERA, but ceiling is probably 12 wins and 6 K/9 3 Jordan Lyles Projects at 10 Wins, 4.50 ERA, 3.2 BB/9 & 6.2 K/9. Deep league consideration only. 4 Kyle Kendricks Don’t you dare!!! Should remain on waiver wire at all times. Not even a streaming option. 5 Tyler Matzek Intriguing option in deep leagues. Only projected starter over 7 K/9 but must improve command or BB/9 will be over 4.

Not much to look at here. De La Rosa holds value in league with 16 teams or more OR if you have super deep rosters. Chacin and Lyles are decent streaming options if your league allows it as well as deeper leagues. What can make or break the season for the Rockies? Their top pitching prospects: First round picks in the 2011, 2012 and 2013 are all on track to see the majors this season.

Impact Pitching Prospects for 2015

Jonathan Gray — The #3 overall pick in the 2013 MLB Amatuer draft should get called out mid-2015 and could easily see 6-8 starts this year with 8 K/9. Plus-Plus fastball is exciting but gives up too many fly balls so ERA might be on the high side as MLB hitters take his mistakes over the fence. Limited impact in 2015, but huge keeper/dynasty consideration. Ace in the making if he keeps the ball down in the zone

Eddie Butler — Butler will likely be the first one called up to fill in for injury or ineffectiveness. He had a forgettable cup of coffee in ‘14 but we found out later he was injured. Later round flier in your drafts could give you some depth down the road this season, but he is another one that is more of a keeper/dynasty consideration right now. He projects to be a #2 starter, so the talent is there, and he tends to throw more ground balls which is a plus in Colorado.

Tyler Anderson — 1st Round pick in 2011 is still further away than the two above that were drafted in later years. Anderson is likely only a September call up in 2015 and can be left on the waiver wire this year unless a rash of injuries force him to come up earlier. Anderson doesn’t have overpowering stuff, but he projects to be an excellent innings eater at the back of the rotation. He could be serviceable if forced into regular action this season.

Bullpen Notables

Closer — LaTroy Hawkins — If your league is all about saves for relievers, than you should consider Hawkins as he is the unquestioned closer in Colorado. Unfortunately, the retiring, 42-year-old pitcher doesn’t offer anything else of value. Leagues that score holds and inherited runners stranded are better served grabbing any of the guys listed below.

Setup — Adam Ottavino & Rex Brothers — Both of these guys are likely to rack up 18-20 holds and over 9 K/9 and therefore hold value in most leagues. Ottavino has a little more value as he would be first in line to earn saves if Hawkins goes down, and likely will have a slightly lower ERA.

Middle Relief — John Axford & Boone Logan — These guys could hold value in deeper leagues because they will likely be over 10 K/9 and could pick up 8-10 holds each.

Bryan Luhrs

Major League Fantasy Sports

Writer & Contributor

Real Deal Dynasty Sports

League Developer & Executive League Commissioner

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