The Colorado Rockies were unable to make it back to the postseason for a third time in four years, as they finished 2010 third in the division with a record of 83-79.
The Rockies, however, have the pieces in place to make it back to the playoffs this season, as they have a ton of great players on the field and on the mound. Colorado should contend for its first NL West crown in team history.
Here is a closer look at the Rockies’ starting lineup and starting rotation for the 2011 season, plus our MLB predictions on where they will wind up the year in the NL West.
Starting Lineup
The Rockies have two of the best young players in the game in Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki. Both have what it takes to bring home the MVP award this year if they can stay healthy and Colorado contends for the division title.
Tulowitzki hit .315 with 27 home runs and 95 RBI. Gonzalez busted onto the scene to lead the NL with a .336 batting average, providing a lot of power with 37 home runs and 117 RBI.
The Rockies also have Todd Helton, who will continue to hit in the middle of the lineup. However, Helton will be 37-years-old this season and simply is not the player he once was.
The Rockies are also high on center fielder Dexter Flower and third baseman Ian Stewart. Flower led the majors with 14 triples last season and, at the age of 24, he still has a ton of room to grow. Stewart is also a young 26 and, while he hit only .256, he managed to hit 18 home runs and drive in 61 RBI.
Another guy Colorado would like to see improve this year is right fielder Seth Smith, who started off great but ended up hitting just .192 with five home runs and 14 RBI after the All-Star break.
The Rockies would also like to see better stats out of catcher Chris Iannetta and newly acquired second baseman Jose Lopez, both of whom had great 2009 seasons only to disappoint in 2010.
Starting Rotation
The Rockies appear to have their ace of the future in Ubaldo Jimenez who, in his breakout season, threw the first no-hitter in team history, going 19-8 with a 2.88 ERA. Jimenez gives the Rockies just what they have been looking for at the top of the rotation.
After Jimenez, the Rockies have a pretty good No. 2 starter in Jorge De La Rosa and an up-and-coming prospect in Jhoulys Chacin.
De La Rosa didn’t quite have the success he had in 2009, but should be able to bounce back this season. Chacin went just 9-11 but had a 3.28 ERA and 1.27 WHIP at the age of just 23, which has us thinking 2011 could be a breakout season for the youngster.
The back of the rotation doesn’t figure to bring the same punch. Both Jason Hammel and Aaron Cook struggled to get it going in 2010, and we have a hard time seeing either starter making a huge improvement.
2011 Projections: Second Place NL West
No question the Rockies have what it takes to win the West this year, and we would actually be shocked if they didn’t increase their win total from last season. However, overcoming the San Francisco Giants and their top of the line rotation will be a difficult task.
The Rockies’ MLB odds to win the NL West this season are currently listed at +200.
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