DEFENSE - FIELDING
Catcher - Yorvit Torrealba signed with San Diego as a Free Agent. Chris Iannetta looks to fill the starter role, while Miguel Olivio, acquired from Kansas City, will back him up. Also, Colorado has signed veteran Paul Lo Duca to a minor league deal in case of injuries or other circumstances.
1st Base - Veteran and Leader Todd Helton will once again be back to start at 1st base for Colorado. As he is getting old, days off are becoming more and more routine for Helton, which is why the Rockies signed Jason Giambi to back him up. If worst comes to worst, Brad Hawpe can fill in as well, as he is relearning the position he played in college at LSU.
2nd Base - Clint Barmes will be returning with Colorado to start at 2nd base this season. There is lots of competition to see who will back him up. Ian Stewart and Eric Young Jr., after making a few appearances with the Major League team towards the end of last year, will be in the running. One new addition will be Melvin Mora, who will be holding the utility spot (formerly Garret Atkins job) for the Rockies this year. When Troy Tulowitski needs a day off at Shortstop and Barmes takes over for him, Mora will most likely fill in the role at 2nd.
3rd Base - Ian Stewart is currently holding the starting position at 3rd as long as he can keep up his Batting Average. Mora will also possibly back up Stewart.
Shortstop - Once again, Captain and Leader Troy Tulowitski will be starting at shortstop this year. Clint Barmes will be backing up Tulow, as shortstop is his original position.
Left Field - Look for split starting time between Carlos Gonzales and Seth Smith with Cargo getting the majority. Ryan Spilborghs and Eric Young Jr. will be backing up Left.
Center Field - Dexter Fowler will start the majority just as he did last year. Carlos Gonzales will fill in when Fowler needs days off and Spilborghs will provide more backup if needed.
Right Field - Hawpe will likely be starting again this year unlike the end of last year due to his slump at the plate. Ryan Spilborghs, EYJ, and Seth Smith all are likely to provide backup relief at Right.
DEFENSE - PITCHING
Starting - Ubaldo Jiminez will likely provide the Ace Starting role after a very strong season last year. Even after an 0 for 6 start, Jorge De La Rosa still had the most wins for the Rockies staff last season which is why he will likely be the number 2 guy. Aaron Cook and Jeff Francis could both be contending for the Number 3 guy as long as Francis comes back strong from his shoulder surgery/season off. Jason Hammel will fill in the number 5 slot. This is a strong rotation, as all of the Rockies starters, with the exception of Francis, had double-figure wins last season. Tim Redding was acquired this year from the Mets over the offseason and after a sub-par to average year last year, he provides veteran experience for the younger pitchers to learn from. He will likely fill in if Francis needs some time off after his shoulder surgery.
Relief - Huston Street will be closing once again for the Rockies this year after a stunning 35 for 37 saves last year. Redding will provide relief in clutch situations, filling in the role Jose Contreras did with Colorado last year. Matt Daley will be providing relief most likely for short spurts in the middle innings. Other key relievers for Colorado include Manny Corpas, who lost the closing job in 2008, Franklin Morales, Rafael Betancourt, Taylor Buchholz and Randy Flores. Betancourt, after returning from Tommy John Surgery, will likely be the Right Handed Setup man, while Morales will be the Left Handed Setup man. The bullpen looks to be stacked this year with a very strong lineup of relievers.
OFFENSE - BATTING ORDER
Dexter Fowler - With his speed, Fowler is more than likely to lead off the Batting Order for the Rockies. With 27 stolen bases last year, a club record for rookies, he looks to be dangerous if he gets to first.
Carlos Gonzales - While not as fast as Fowler, Cargo is still just as much as a speed threat to other teams, which is why he will likely fill in the 2-hole spot in the Batting Order.
Todd Helton - With a strong .322 Average last year, Helton will likely fill the 3-hole.
Troy Tulowitski - While batting cleanup for most of the season last year, he looks to be returning to that spot again this year.
Brad Hawpe - If he gets back to his offensive spark as he did the first half of last season, he will likely bat 5th.
Ian Stewart - While having a strong power-hitter hitting type season last year, he will likely bat 6th, as long as he limits his very high strike-out total.
Melvin Mora - When he starts, he will likely bat behind Hawpe in the 6-hole.
Clint Barmes - 7-hole.
Chris Ianneta - 8-hole.
The 9-hole will obviously be filled by the pitcher.
OFFENSE - PINCH HITTERS/RUNNERS
Jason Giambi, while providing the key pinch hitter slot for the Rockies last year during the playoff run, will be the go-to guy. Spilborghs and Smith (who has the highest pinch hit average for the Rockies) will also provide strong pinch-hit at-bats for the Rox.
Eric Young Jr. will provide excellent speed on the basepaths. And if they don't start, Dexter Fowler and Carlos Gonzales are also good options.
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