OUTFIELDERS
24 Dexter Fowler
Bats/throws: Switch/right
Showed signs of gold gloves in his future, but has to hit — was .240 vs. right-handers last year — if he’s going to stay in the 1 or 2 hole. Held it together after making the jump from Double A.
2009 Avg. 2B 3B HR RBI BB Slg.
Rockies .266 29 10 4 34 67 .406
5 Carlos Gonzalez
Bats/throws: Left/left
If he doesn’t turn into a star, his 2009 second half would be one of the great teases in Rockies history. Had eye-popping splits — .202, one HR before all-star break; .320, 12 afterward — before terrorizing Phillies pitching in the playoffs.
2009 Avg. 2B 3B HR RBI BB Slg.
Rockies .284 14 7 13 29 28 .525
11 Brad Hawpe
Bats/throws: Left/left
Hit the wall running after playing in his first All-Star Game. Benched in the playoffs, but Jim Tracy and Dan O’Dowd are professing the faith. Streak hitter who figures to hit 20-plus homers, drive in 85-plus runs.
2009 Avg. 2B 3B HR RBI BB Slg.
Rockies .285 42 3 23 86 79 .519
7 Seth Smith
Bats/throws: Left/left
Proved in ’09 why Blue Jays once tried to deal for him and make him an everyday player. May be the most valuable fourth outfielder in the bigs. Anyone gets injured and he’ll step in and be productive.
2009 Avg. 2B 3B HR RBI BB Slg.
Rockies .293 20 4 15 55 46 .510
19 Ryan Spilborghs
Bats/throws: Right/right
Not an everyday player, but his value showed over the winter when several clubs tried to pry him away. A .260ish hitter, but has some clutch in him. Can play all three OF spots.
2009 Avg. 2B 3B HR RBI BB Slg.
Rockies .241 24 3 8 48 34 .395
CATCHERS
20 Chris Iannetta
Bats/throws: Right/right
No surprise that the front office anted up for him, given his potential. A cerebral kid who beats himself up when he’s struggling, but the talent clearly is there. Rox would live with .250 if he hits 20-plus HRs.
2009 Avg. 2B 3B HR RBI BB Slg.
Rockies .228 15 2 16 52 43 .460
21 Miguel Olivo
Bats/throws: Right/right
A backup catcher coming off a 23-HR season? You read it right. Solid insurance policy in the event that Iannetta slumps at the plate again. Figures to hit a few pinch-hit HRs.
2009 Avg. 2B 3B HR RBI BB Slg.
Royals .249 15 5 23 65 19 .490
INFIELDERS
17 Todd Helton
Bats/throws: Left/left
Bounced back nicely after an injury-riddled ’08 season. Subpar power hitter for the position, but figures to have another couple of .300-plus seasons and high OBPs in him.
2009 Avg. 2B 3B HR RBI BB Slg.
Rockies .325 38 3 15 86 89 .489
12 Clint Barmes
Bats/throws: Right/right
Was looking for a multiyear deal, but didn’t get it. Front office is concerned about his long, dry spells at the plate. But 20-plus homers and a great glove have a way of keeping a middle infielder in the lineup.
2009 Avg. 2B 3B HR RBI BB Slg.
Rockies .245 32 3 23 76 31 .440
2 Troy Tulowitzki
Bats/throws: Right/right
Have the Rox ever had a player who was the best in the majors at his position? If not, Tulo could be the one. Broke through with 32 homers last season, and could hit more this year. But about those annoying Aprils . . .
2009 Avg. 2B 3B HR RBI BB Slg.
Rockies .297 25 9 32 92 73 .552
9 Ian Stewart
Bats/throws: left/right
Big-time power, but big-league pitchers have found the holes in his swing. Worked extensively with Don Baylor in the offseason to try to make more contact. Thirty bombs wouldn’t be a surprise, but needs to drive in more runs.
2009 Avg. 2B 3B HR RBI BB Slg.
Rockies .228 19 3 25 70 56 .464
23 Jason Giambi
Bats/throws: Left/left
His signing is the dead giveaway that Helton’s days as a 155-game player are behind him. A dynamic pinch-hitter who can hit a home run or draw a walk. Now for the fine print: a liability at first base.
2009 Avg. 2B 3B HR RBI BB Slg.
Rockies .292 1 0 2 11 7 .583
6 Melvin Mora
Bats/throws: Right/right
The obvious question: What does he have left in the tank? Had a monster second half in ’08, but bombed last season. Will spell Ian Stewart and Clint Barmes during their dry spells.
2009 Avg. 2B 3B HR RBI BB Slg.
Orioles .260 20 0 8 48 34 .358
3 Eric Young Jr.
Bats/throws: Right/right
Speed and athleticism figure to ensure him of a big-league career, but signing of Melvin Mora probably means he’s ticketed for Triple A.
2009 Avg. 2B 3B HR RBI BB Slg.
Rockies .246 1 0 1 1 4 .316
STARTING PITCHERS
38 Ubaldo Jimenez
Bats/throws: Right/right
Want to know how hot his stuff is? Follow the shaking heads as opposing hitters return to the dugout. Can be as dominant as any pitcher in the game, witness that .229 OBA. The key now is consistency.
2009: 15-12, 3.47 ERA in 33 games/33 starts
29 Jorge De La Rosa
Bats/throws: Left/left
One of the great reclamation projects in recent big-league history. Got hot after Clint Hurdle’s firing and didn’t stop, finishing 16-3 after May.
2009: 16-9, 4.38 ERA in 33 games/32 starts
28 Aaron Cook
Bats/throws: Right/right
Tough competitor who figures to win 13-15 games in the middle of the rotation. When’s the last time a Rockies pitcher could say that? Needs to stay healthy for an entire season.
2009: 11-6, 4.16 ERA in 27 games/27 starts
26 Jeff Francis
Bats/throws: Left/left
Finished 4-10, 5.01 in ’08 and didn’t throw a pitch in ’09 after labrum surgery. But enough already with the numbers. Front office is convinced his mechanics issues are behind him. A bit of a mystery, but, if he’s healthy, he wins double digits.
2009: Injured
46 Jason Hammel
Bats/throws: Right/right
Does winning 10 games constitute turning a corner? No reason to think he won’t win a similar number this season. Amazingly consistent in ’09: 5-4, 4.43 pre-all-star break, 5-4, 4.23 afterward.
2009: 10-8, 4.33 ERA in 34 games, 30 starts
N/A Tim Redding
Bats/throws: Right/right
A nice, cost-efficient pickup who finished 10-11 with the awful Nationals in ’08. If anyone falters in the rotation, he looms as Plan A for the fifth- starter gig.
2009: 3-6, 5.10 ERA in 30 appearances
45 Jhoulys Chacin
Bats/throws: Right/right
Still at the projecting stage of his career, but at 22 appears to have the stuff of a solid big-league starter. Needs to learn command of the strike zone.
2009: 0-1, 4.91 ERA in 9 games, 1 start
RELIEVERS
16 Huston Street
Bats/throws: Right/right
The first big-money reliever in Rox history, having signed a three-year deal for $22.5 mil. Great kid who figures to overcome his disappointing performance in the playoffs. His 35 saves in ’09 were one more than two previous seasons combined.
2009: 4-1, 35 saves, 3.06 ERA in 64 appearances
63 Rafael Betancourt
Bats/throws: Right/right
Rox may not have made the playoffs if he hadn’t stabilized the eighth inning. One of the better set-up men in the NL. Brutal vs. righties — witness that .169 BA allowed.
2009: 3-1, 1 save, 1.78 ERA in 32 Rockies games
31 Matt Daley
Bats/throws: Right/right
Nice story, an undrafted kid who finally emerged as a legit major-league reliever. Funky delivery produced 55 Ks in 51 IP. Looks like he’s found a job for good.
2009: 1-1, 4.24 ERA in 57 appearances
53 Randy Flores
Bats/throws: Left/left
Mid-30s vet who figures as a lefty specialist. Go figure. Allowed .321 BA on the road, .227 at Coors Canaveral.
2009: 0-1, 5.25 ERA in 27 appearances
56 Franklin Morales
Bats/throws: Left/left
Stepped up huge down the stretch in ’07, but was scuffling along until injury to Huston Street landed him closer’s role last season. Responded with seven saves until Street’s return.
2009: 3-2, 7 saves, 4.50 ERA in 40 appearances
60 Manuel Corpas
Bats/throws: Right/right
Has had weight, arm problems since signing a multiyear deal after stellar ’07 season. Looms as a mystery, but this much we know: The front office’s patience has worn thin.
2009: 1-3, 1 save, 5.88 ERA in 35 appearances
35 Taylor Buchholz
Bats/throws: Right/right
Paid the price for his excellent — 2.17 ERA in 63 appearances — ’08 season. Like Jeff Francis, didn’t throw a pitch last season. Unclear if/when he’ll be good to go.
2009: Injured
N/A Jimmy Gobble
Bats/throws: Left/left
Journeyman who looms as a longshot to stick if he stands up in spring training. Ghastly 8.81 ERA for Royals in ’08, followed by 7.50 for White Sox in limited duty last season.
2009: 0-0, 7.50 ERA in 12 appearances
34 Matt Belisle
Bats/throws: Right/right
That 1.50 ERA in September will help his cause for a spot in the pen. But about that 11.25 April or that 9.00 in July. No guarantees, but he’s in the mix.
2009: 3-1, 5.52 ERA in 24 appearances
N/A Justin Speier
Bats/throws: Right/right
Familiar face returning after six-year absence. Saved nine games for ’03 Rox. Coming off back- to-back 5.00-plus ERAs with Angels, but could benefit from return to NL.
2009: 4-2, 5.18 ERA in 41 appearances
27 Greg Smith
Bats/throws: Left/left
Was actually considered a key to the Matt Holliday trade. Stuff happens when you compile a 4.16 in the big, bad American League. Injuries struck after arrival in Colorado.
2009: Injured
