2012 Colorado Rockies Preview | Rockies Prediction
By Freddy Wills on 03/08/2012 8:39 PM
The Colorado Rockies are off a disappointing year are 30 to 1 to win the World series and Vegas set the total number of wins at 81 (see: MLB Win Totals Preview).
The Rockies were the favorites to win the NL West in 2012, but injuries to their best player kept them from being competitive as Carlos Gonzalez never seemed to be healthy. But there is much to look forward to from this Rockies squad. There will be quite a different look from last year’s opening day lineup as 4 position players are gone and replaced by established players who have been key players on winning teams in the past in Michael Cuddyer, Casey Blake, Marco Scutaro, and Ramon Hernandez.
The Rockies traded Jason Hammel and got rid of Ubaldo Jiminez last year and Jorge De La Rosa is coming off Tommy John surgery and likely won’t pitch until June or July. That leaves a lot of doors open and question marks for this team’s pitching situation that will likely be answered in spring training.
Notable Losses:
Their closer Huston Street is gone adding another question mark to the pitching staff. I’m not too concerned with the loss of Street he was never the type of guy that was a dominant closer to begin with as he posted a 3.86 ERA in 62 games and 58.1 IP with just 55K’s. Rafael Betancourt will be the likely closer and I think he’ll be a better option after posting a 0.33 ERA in the 2nd half of the season last year.
Ian Stewart and OF Seth Smith were also notable losses but again this team was able to replace both of these guys with better additions who should be able to put up better numbers in my opinion.
Notable Additions:
This is where the Rockies significantly improved their club. First it starts with the addition of Michael Cuddyer who was perennially a leader and clutch player for a Twins team that was always in the mix for the playoffs. Cuddyer will put up monster numbers at Coors Field. He had an .805 OPS last year with 20 HR and a .284 average.
Casey Blake comes over from the Dodgers to replays Stewart. Blake is another veteran player like Cuddyer that should be reliable. Reliability is not something the Rockies have been able to find at 3B. Oh and he has a .307 career average and 1.021 OPS with 4 HR in 75 AB at Coors Field over the last 3 years.
Marco Scutaro comes over from the Red Sox and will start at 2B. He will fit in well because the guy hits for good average (.299 in 2011 w/ .358OBP).
With all the injuries it was key that they were able to land a pitcher with a lot of upside. Jeremy Guthrie comes over from the Baltimore Orioles and I do not know of another pitcher in the American League who has more upside switching leagues considering having to face the Rays, Jays, Red Sox, and Yankees 18 times each a year. Guthrie posted a 4.33 ERA and a 9-17 record last year, but again he faces a DH and some of the best hitting clubs in the league in his own division.
Projected Rotation: (2011 Stats)
1. Jeremy Guthrie, (9-17, 4.33 ERA)
2. Jhoulys Chacin, (11-14, 3.62 ERA)
3. Drew Pomeranz, (2-1, 5.40 ERA)
4. Juan Nicasio, (4-4, 4.14 ERA)
5. Guillermo Moscoso, (8-10, 3.38 ERA)
Projected Batting Order (2011 STATS):
1. CF Dexter Fowler: .266 BA, .363 OBP, .432 SLG, 5 HR, 45 RBIs in 2011
2. 2B Marco Scutaro: .299 BA, .358 OBP, .423 SLG, 7 HR, 54 RBIs in 2011
3. LF Carlos Gonzalez: .295 BA, .363 OBP, .526 SLG, 26 HR, 92 RBIs in 2011
4. SS Troy Tulowitzki: .302 BA, .372 OBP, .544 SLG, 30 HR, 105 RBIs in 2011
5. RF Michael Cuddyer: .284 BA, .346 OBP, .459 SLG, 20 HR, 70 RBIs in 2011
6. 1B Todd Helton: .302 BA, .385 OBP, .466 SLG, 14 HR, 69 RBIs in 2011
7. C Ramon Hernandez: .282 BA, .341 OBP, .446 SLG, 12 HR, 36 RBIs in 2011
8. 3B Casey Blake: .252 BA, .342 OBP, .371 SLG, 4 HR, 26 RBIs in 2011
2012 Colorado Rockies Prediction
Unlike the San Francisco Giants the Rockies have gained a lot more than they have lost despite the loss in pitching depth I think the outlook is much better with their lineup and I think we will see some of the pitchers over achieve. Vegas gave the total number of wins at 81 and as a betting man I was all over the over here and I recommend it as a mlb sports pick. I actually wouldn’t mind taking a shot at them to win the NL West over the Diamondbacks. The Rockies have the two best players in the division offensively in Troy Tulowitzki and Carolos Gonzalez who had down years in 2011, but should bounce back well to have career years. The mix of veteran leaders on this team between Helton, Blake, Cuddyer and others has the makeup of a team that will make a lot of noise this season.
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