Colorado Rockies: Spring Training Information

By Dan Boniface
Location: Hi Corbett Field – Tucson, Ariz.
Pitchers and Catchers Report: Feb. 15th
First Game: Feb. 27th
Schedule

Projected Opening Day Lineup

1. Willy Taveras (CF)
2. Troy Tulowitzki (SS)
3. Matt Holliday (LF)
4. Todd Helton (1B)
5. Garrett Atkins (3B)
6. Brad Hawpe (RF)
7. Yorvit Torrealba (C)
8. Jayson Nix (2B)
9. Jeff Francis (P)

Projected Rotation

1. Jeff Francis (LHP)
2. Aaron Cook (RHP)
3. Ubaldo Jiminez (RHP)
4. Jason Hirsh (RHP)
5. Franklin Morales (LHP)

Projected Bullpen

Long: Kip Wells (RHP)
Situational: Mark Redman (LHP), Matt Herges (RHP), Josh Towers (RHP)
7th Inning: Luis Vizcaino (RHP)
8th Inning: Brian Fuentes (LHP)
Closer: Manny Corpas (RHP)
In the mix for a bullpen spot: Taylor Buchholz (RHP), Ramon Ramirez (RHP), Ryan Speier (RHP), Juan Morillo (RHP), Josh Newman (LHP), Jose Capellan (RHP), Victor Zambrano (RHP)
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Key Battles: The defending National League Champion Colorado Rockies return their entire starting line-up except for second base, after speedster Kaz Matsui defected to Houston. The vacancy has spurned the Rockies most interesting Spring Training battle: 2B. The odds-on favorite seems to be the one player who has yet to appear in a Major League game, Jayson Nix. The Rockies like him best because he's a strong defensive option – after all, a key element to the team's run to the pennant was the best team defense in the history of baseball - but Nix, who is out of minor league options, will have to prove he can hit if he's going to win the job. Nix would, however, be slotted into the No. 8 spot in the order, with SS Troy Tulowitzki bumped up to the No. 2 spot where he excelled in 2007 hitting .297 with 14 of his 24 homers and 57 of his 99 RBI in 290 at bats, taking some pressure off the rookie second baseman.

Other candidates capable of breaking camp as the starting second baseman: former All-Star Marcus Giles; the team's 2005-06 starting SS Clint Barmes; defensive whiz and left-handed hitter Omar Quintanilla; or converted power-hitting third basemen Ian Stewart or Jeff Baker.

The top three spots in the Rox starting rotation are pretty much set in stone: Lefty Jeff Francis, sinker-baller Aaron Cook and flame-thrower Ubaldo Jiminez. The fourth spot has been all but handed over to second-year starter Jason Hirsh, who would probably have to take another line drive off his shin during Spring Training (like the one that ended his 2007 season) to lose his spot. The battle for the No. 5 spot, however, will likely be a no-holds-barred cage match between 22-year-old lefty Franklin Morales, former All-Star and World Series champ Mark Redman and the newly-inked Kip Wells. Conventional wisdom would suggest the kid Morales would start the year in AAA, giving one of the veterans, Redman or Wells, the No. 5 spot with the other filling the role of long relief. But, the Rockies seem intent on giving Morales a legitimate opportunity in Tucson to keep the rotation spot he grabbed during the Rockies incredible 21-1 run to the World Series.

In the bullpen, the Rockies have a good problem: More quality arms than spots. Manny Corpas is a lock as the team's closer, with three-time All-Star closer Brian Fuentes relegated to set-up duty. Don't be surprised if the team deals the former closer before the July trade deadline. Luis Vizcaino will also share set-up duty, filling the right-handed veteran role vacated by LaTroy Hawkins, in what essentially amounted to an offseason reliever swap between the Rockies and Yankees. Matt Herges is also a lock to start the season in the pen, barring injury. The competition for the remaining spots will be affected by who wins the No. 5 starter spot. Guys who have seen significant Major League time in the past include Taylor Buchholz, Justin Speier (who earned significant trust from manager Clint Hurdle down the stretch last season), Ramon Ramirez, and new addition Josh Towers. The veterans would appear to have the upper hand going into the spring. Juan Morillo, who has been known to run his fastball up to triple digits, is a dark horse to win a spot, as is lefty Josh Newman.

What To Expect: Expect a heated competition for the final spots in the bullpen, and expect it to come down to the final days of camp. Hurdle is not afraid to trust his gut and ride the hot arm, so whoever is pitching well near the end of the spring, could get the nod. There should also be a good competition between 2005 World Series hero Scott Podsednik and the Rox 2005-06 starting CF Cory Sullivan for the back-up role behind Willy Taveras. The second base competition will be interesting to watch, as will the battle for the bench spots. OF Ryan Spilborghs and corner infielder and corner outfielder Jeff Baker appear to be locks for reserve roles. Also, look for reliever Matt Herges to finally comment on his inclusion in the Mitchell Report.

Dan Boniface writes the blog, On The Rox, for 9NEWS.com, the Web site of KUSA*TV, Denver's NBC affiliate.

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