The Rockies aren’t supposed to be any good this year, but how about some positivity? Here’s five breakout candidates for Colorado in 2021 — players whose individual performances just may bring some sunshine to a long season.
LHP Austin Gomber —It would ease fans’ heartbreak about Nolan Arenado leaving town if the primary return in that trade with St. Louis could have a big impact this year. If the southpaw’s 1.86 ERA last season and 1.59 spring training ERA this year are any indication, Gomber’s capable of a breakout year.
OF Raimel Tapia —Ok, Tapia can already be considered to have had a breakout year, as he led the Rockies with a .321 average in 2020. But the projected starting left fielder might just be getting warmed up, and his speed, bat-to-ball skills and continued maturation set up for a monster 2021.
1B C.J. Cron —In the same vein as Tapia, Cron, 31, isn’t a big-league newcomer. He has 118 career homers, including a high of 30 in 2018 with Tampa Bay. But if he stays healthy, the Rockies’ projected starting first baseman could put up even bigger power numbers within the hitter-friendly confines of Coors Field.
RHP Yency Almonte —Almonte set the table for a strong 2021 with his performance in 2020 when the righty had a bullpen-best 2.93 ERA in 24 appearances. Almonte had a 27.9% swing-and-miss percentage last year, a 3.3% increase from ’19, and another jump in that category this year could make him an elite reliever.
INF Josh Fuentes —This may be the year that Fuentes goes from a bootstrapping prospect who’s better known as Arenado’s cousin to a bona-fide, everyday major-leaguer himself. The opportunity is in front of him — Brendan Rodgers’ injury opened the door for Fuentes to start at third — and the 26-year-old believes he can capitalize.
— Kyle Newman, The Denver Post
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