Rockies pitchers and catchers report to spring training Tuesday in Scottsdale, Ariz. In honor of that always promising day, here are 20 questions for 2020:
20. The Las Vegas wiseguys, such as the , predict that the Rockies will finish fourth in the National League West with 75 victories. Meanwhile, owner predicted that the Rockies will win a franchise-record 94 games. Who’s closer to being right?
19. After losing 91 games last season but making no major moves in the offseason, can the Rockies find confidence and build team chemistry this spring?
18. Can Ian Desmond or (or possibly rookie Sam Hilliard) grab the starting job in left field or will the Rockies platoon at that position?
17. Darryl Scott is considered an excellent teacher, so in his new role as bullpen coach can he help fix a pitching staff that posted a 5.56 ERA in 2010, the third-worst in franchise history?
16. , who lost 15 pounds this offseason, rode a roller-coaster last year. Will the right-hander escape the big dips in performance and become the starter the Rockies believe he can be?
15. Right-hander was good in 2019 but not as good as he was in 2018. Can he pitch like an ace again?
14. Right-hander was Colorado’s most consistent starter last season, going 11-8 with a 3.84 ERA. Does Gray have more to give?
13. Will top infield prospect Brendan Rodgers completely recover from shoulder surgery, and if so, when will he return?
12. After two years away from big-league baseball, what does right-hander Ubaldo Jimenz have left in the tank after signing a minor-league deal to rejoin the Rockies?
11. Do the Rockies really have a quality catcher they can pair with starter ? They didn’t sign a veteran free-agent to a big-league deal, leaving Drew Butera, Elias Díaz and rookie Dom Nunez as the candidates, and only Nunez is currently on the 40-man roster.
10. After flashing promise late last season, will Hilliard make the 26-man roster or start the season at Triple-A to get regular playing time and more at-bats?
9. Can right-hander Chi Chi Gonzalez build on his strong September and win a job at the back of the rotation?
8. More than four years after he was shipped to Colorado as part of the trade with Toronto, can right-hander finally harness his talent and make the rotation?
7. Struggling right-handed reliever needs a mere 40 appearances in 2020 in order to force the Rockies to pay him another $9 million for 2021. Will he be a viable bullpen option or a lame duck?
6. After posting an 8.65 ERA last season, can veteran regain his form and actually compete for the closer’s job, as manager Bud Black expects him to?
5. Right-hander is primed to be the closer, but after undergoing surgery to remove blood clots in his arm, can he stay healthy for the entire season?
4. Can outfielder stay healthy for a full season and build upon his 2019 all-star turn?
3. Will veteran show up to camp in shape and be ready to improve as a first baseman?
2. Armed with a revamped delivery, will left-handed starter regain his pitch command and his confidence?
1. How will ‘s now-public rift with general manager , and possible future trade, affect Arenado and his teammates?
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