Colorado Rockies spring training: Week one

The Colorado Rockies first week of spring training is in the books and there are already a few interesting developments.

Pitcher of the Week: Carlos Estevez

No one pitcher has gone more than three innings yet except Jon Gray and Tyler Anderson. Both Gray and Anderson had one good outing and one where they were roughed up with the longball. Prospect Carlos Estevez has only pitched three innings but they have been dominant. He’s already racked up six strikeouts.

Honorable mention to Anderson who bounced back nicely from his first rought outing.

Hitter of the Week: Raimel Tapia

Tapia went 5-for-10 with two RBI, two doubles, and three runs scored. The Rockies Top 10 prospect outfielder does not yet seem affected by facing the best pitching he has seen to this date. Honorable mention to fellow highly touted outfield prospect David Dahl who tallied four hits in 12 at-bats while notching his first home run ever in big league camp.

Rockies fans will soon get used to seeing Dahl and Tapia at the top of the lineup and these early results this spring suggest its going to be a lot of fun to watch.

Storyline of the Week: Jairo Diaz out with Tommy John

Diaz wasn’t necessarily a pitcher the Rockies were counting on yet, but he absolutely had a shot to make the bullpen out of spring and his live fastball has always been something that with a bit more refinement could make Diaz into a real threat. Unfortunately for him and the Rockies, they won’t be able to do any refining for more than a year. The young pitcher is set to have Tommy John surgery soon.

What to watch for next:

Who steps up and makes themselves the clear alternative to Diaz in the pen? Can some of the other young hitters join Dahl and Tapia in the hit column? What’s next in the ongoing saga of Tyler Matzek? And, of course, it’s all about that starting rotation. Is it finally Tyler Anderson’s time? Can Jon Gray get his command back? Are Jeff Hoffman and Kyle Freeland closer to the big leagues than we think?