2009 Power Rankings #22

( #'s 23-30 can be found in the archive)

Note: I will have a "final" pre-season set of power rankings ready on Opening Day (along with all of my other predictions), so this is not my "final word" on how things will shake out.


22. Colorado Rockies

It's hard to believe the Rockies fell as flat as they did in 2008. Okay, maybe it's not. Maybe they just went on a ridiculous run in a weak division and just stayed hot until they ran into the buzz saw that was the Boston Red Sox.

Fluke or not, the Rockies have taken a step or two back and are now in "building" mode. That is not the same as "rebuilding" mode, which is a bit worse.

There are some pieces to work with but they need a few guys to bounce back and be productive at the plate, plus they need a pitcher or two to become much more consistent. The news got worse today on the pitching front as the team will lose lefty Jeff Francis for the season to shoulder surgery.

LINEUP

According to the Rockies' official website, here are their projected starters:

C. Chris Iannetta
1B. Todd Helton
2B. Clint Barmes
3B. Garrett Atkins
SS. Troy Tulowitzki
LF. Seth Smith
CF. Ryan Spillborghs
RF. Brad Hawpe

Iannetta is a player I like quite a bit. The only question about him right now is whether or not he can do in 500 at-bats what he did in 333 AB in '08 (.895 OPS, 18 HR). I think he can.

Helton is a major question mark even if he's healthy, which is certainly no guarantee. That said, I think the Rockies have enough players that can help fill in at 1B that they'll be okay here unless Helton struggles and Clint Hurdle plays him anyway. Jeff Baker and Joe Koshansky can play 1B, plus the team could shift Garrett Atkins over and play Ian Stewart at 3B.

I don't know what to make of Barmes as an everyday player. He has ability and can play his position but I don't look at him as a "known" commodity for '09. Atkins is a proven hitter who I expect to keep producing good numbers. Don't see any major improvement or decline from him this season. I really think Tulowitzki is going to have a strong bounce-back season in '09. He'd better, otherwise the Rockies will be in big trouble. Expect something along the lines of what he did in '07.

Boy does that outfield look weak without Matt Holliday. Seth Smith listed as the starter in LF? That's gotta be a typo. I'd sooner try Stewart or Baker out there just to get their bats in the lineup. Heck, I wouldn't be surprised to see Carlos Gonzalez out there. Maybe even Ryan Spillborghs, currently set to start in CF, if Dexter Fowler emerges in CF. Obviously Brad Hawpe is just fine in RF, I'd say expect more of what you've already seen from him.

I have to believe that the outfield by the end of 2009 will be Gonzalez-Fowler-Hawpe. I just don't think Spillborghs is an everyday player, nor is Smith. Maybe Matt Murton is a sleeper in LF, but even that's a bit of a stretch if you ask me.

As for the prospects to look for, well, Gonzalez and Fowler are about it for this year. None of the team's other offensive prospets - unless you still count Koshansky - are ready for prime time just yet. I think Gonzalez and Fowler can both be impact players, so if the team isn't in contention this year I'd recommend getting them a lot of playing time.

PITCHING

According to the Rockies' official website, here is their projected rotation and closer:

1. Aaron Cook
2. Ubaldo Jimenez
3. Jason Marquis
4. Jorge De La Rosa
5. Greg Smith

That's actually not a bad group of starters, to be honest. Cook has turned into a solid Major League starter who pitches to contact and keeps the ball on the ground and therefore in the ballpark. Jimenez has a world of ability, he just needs to throw strikes consistently. Easily the best stuff on the team and the highest upside - also keeps the ball in the park, but unlike Cook strikes people out too. I'm not sure I understand where Marquis is going to be of much help to the Rocks. He's too inconsistent. Maybe they just want innings from him. De La Rosa has talent - and misses plenty of bats - but again, too inconsistent. I could do without him. Smith is okay, though I'm worried about his home run tendencies (21 HR in 190 1/3 IP in '08 in a pitcher's park). K-to-BB ratio not great either. Worth giving a shot, though.

Franklin Morales, Jason Hirsch and Greg Reynolds could also figure into the mix. I really like Morales and Hirsch - if they're both healthy I think they'll make a lot of starts for the Rockies in '09. They have higher upside than guys like Marquis and De La Rosa.

CL. Huston Street/Manny Corpas

Both pitchers are listed as "closers" on the team's website, but I have to think Corpas gets the first shot unless Street has an amazing spring. The best thing for the franchise, however, might be to have Street close to start the season and perform well, thus enhancing his trade value. Corpas is a little better right now, IMO.

Taylor Buchholz is an excellent setup man who I think has the stuff to close if necessary. Alan Embree is a decent lefty.

Right hander Jhoulys Chacin and left hander Christian Friedrich should come along pretty quickly over the next season or two. They're both extremely talented, though Chacin has more upside to me. Casey Weathers may be the closer of the future - he's got great stuff but needs to refine his command.

OVERVIEW

This franchise isn't an a terrible place, they're just in what appears to be a transition year. Their only chance at really doing anything this season would be to have several young guys emerge along with Helton having a resurgent season. If the team doesn't think Gonzalez is ready to play in LF, I'd advise trying to find at-bats for Baker and Stewart.

The best news for '09? The Padres will keep the Rockies from even having a chance at finishing in last place. I do think the future is relatively bright in the Mile High city.

KW