Ready to Rox: Setting the stage for Spring Training battles

The Colorado Rockies come into Spring Training 2020 with quite a bit more buzz than usual.

Most of that is related to an offseason rift between star third baseman Nolan Arenado and GM Jeff Bridich which itself is related to general frustration with a lack of movement from the front office and rumors that Arenado was shopped around.

But there will be baseball. Life goes on. Spring brings a time of hope, or at least intrigue, as clubs begin to take shape.

While it is true that Colorado did little this winter, it is also the case that this team will be starting this campaign with two different starting pitchers, a different backup catcher, and a few new faces in the bullpen.

As always, some young players are looking to take the next step and some veterans are looking to bounce back. There aren’t a ton of position battles to be had without some dramatic spring happenings, but still plenty to consider as play begins Saturday.

Keep in mind the implementation of the 26-man roster and that the Rockies currently have 39 players on their 40-man roster after relief prospect Justin Lawrence was suspended for a PED violation in the offseason.

So, here is how I see the depth chart and lineup at this exact moment:

1. Charlie Blackmon – Right Field
2. Trevor Story – Short Stop
3. David Dahl – Center Field
4. Nolan Arenado – Third Base
5. Daniel Murphy – First Base
6. Ryan McMahon – Second Base
7. Raimel Tapia – Left Field
8. Tony Wolters – Catcher
9. Pitcher’s Spot

Bench: Ian Desmond, Garrett Hampson, Sam Hilliard, Josh Fuentes, Elias Diaz

Rotation: German Marquez, Jon Gray, Kyle Freeland, Antonio Senzatela, Jeff Hoffman

Bullpen: Wade Davis, Scott Oberg, Jairo Diaz, Carlos Estevez, James Pazos, Jake McGee, Bryan Shaw, Chi Chi Gonzalez

The order is subject to change but the first six spots in the lineup are pretty well cemented as starters.

I went with Tapia in left given the positive comments I’ve been hearing from the organization and the fact that he was given the job near the end of last season before getting hurt. With a bad spring or a great one from either Desmond or Hilliard, he could lose the spot and move to the bench.

The first three rotation spots are similarly settled, though signs in the spring that Freeland is still reeling could shake things up. For the other two spots, I went with two starters who are out of options in Senzatela and Hoffman while stashing the third, Gonzalez, in the bullpen as a long man.

Senza has proven that he can provide value both out of the ‘pen and in the rotation, so you could swap him with Gonzalez but it would be unwise to leave him off the roster and lose a 25-year-old with three years of experience including a solid appearance in the postseason.

Hoffman is on thinner ice. He needs to show up well or risks losing that final rotation spot, and therefore potentially any place in the organization, with poor performance coupled by strong ones from Gonzalez or up-and-comers Peter Lambert and Ryan Castellani.

Newcomer Jose Mujica could push this issue as well.

An injury to Tim Melville limits the competition to pretty much those names. Ubaldo Jimenez is a long shot but a fun one.

On the reliever side, Jesus Tinoco, Yency Almonte, Ben Bowden, Phillip Diehl, and Tyler Kinley will be pushing the issue.

But because the players above them on the depth chart currently are also out of options, in order for any to break through, they will need to really shine.

There is financial incentive to cut Bryan Shaw if he really struggles, getting both a roster spot for a younger pitcher and a guarantee that his contract won’t vest for $9 million in 2021.

McGee could be on a short leash as well with Diehl and Bowden emerging as lefty options.

With Brendan Rodgers expected to be out until May, Hilliard is likely to be the most exciting prospect to watch in spring, though don’t overlook catcher Dom Nunez who could give Colorado a huge potential boost to their power output behind the plate.

The battle between him and Diaz for backup catcher could be the most interesting one with the two players having very different profiles and skill sets that they bring to the table.

And though it may seem unlikely, the Rockies could always make a move and bring in more talent to compete for these positions. But as it stands, this is how I see it.

How would you line it up?