2012 Colorado Rockies Predictions
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The Colorado Rockies were one of the biggest disappointments of the 2011 season. Many experts had the Rockies picked to win the division and possibly get back to the World Series, but things didn’t exactly work out like they were suppose to. Colorado ended fourth in the NL West with a record of 73-89, thanks in large part to a lack of quality starting pitching. The expectations aren’t anywhere close to last year, but this is a team that could surprise and return to the top of the division in 2012. Let’s take a look at the Rockies projected starting lineup, starting rotation, and closer situation.
Projected Lineup
Ramon Hernandez (Catcher) – The veteran free agent addition will replace 2011 starter Chris Iannetta behind the plate until top prospect Wilin Rosario is ready to take over. Hernandez hit .282 with 12 home runs and 36 RBI in 91 games with Cincinnati last year.
Todd Helton (First Base) – At 38, Helton’s best days are behind him, but he showed he’s still a viable option at first base both offensively and defensively with a strong 2011 season. Helton hit .302 with 14 home runs and 69 RBI, despite being limited to just 124 games. Colorado will gladly take a similar showing in 2012.
Marco Scutaro (Second Base) – Colorado filled a glaring hole at second base by trading for Scutaro in late January. The veteran infielder hit .299 with seven home runs and 54 RBI in 113 games with the Red Sox last season. He could end up being a big addition if he can stay healthy and put up similar numbers this season.
Troy Tulowitzki (Shortstop) – Tulowitzki is arguably the best all-around shortstop in the game today. He hit .302 with 30 home runs and 105 RBI last year, giving him three straight seasons of at least 27 home runs and 90 RBI. While it seems like Tulowitzki has been in the league for some time, he turned just 27 in October.
Casey Blake (Third Base) – The Rockies are hoping to get something out of the 38-year-old third baseman this season. Blake has the potential to hit 20 home runs with 75 RBI if he can stay healthy, but that’s a pretty big if at this point in his career. Blake was limited to just 63 games last season, where he hit .252 with four home runs and 26 RBI.
Carlos Gonzalez (Left Field) – Gonzalez didn’t quite live up to his monster 2010 season where he hit .336 with 34 home runs and 117 RBI, but he still put together a pretty solid run in 2011. Gonzalez hit .295 with 26 homers and 92 runs batted in over just 127 games. The 26-year-old can do it all and is primed for a bounce back season in 2012.
Dexter Fowler (Center Field) – The Rockies are excited about the potential of their leadoff hitter. Fowler hit .288 in the second half of last season, which is a good sign going forward for the youngster. While he hit just five home runs, he finished up 2011 with 35 doubles and 15 triples.
Michael Cuddyer (Right Field) – Cuddyer has spent his entire 11-year career with the Twins. Colorado is hoping he can become a big time threat in the middle of their lineup. Cuddyer hit .284 with 20 home runs and 70 RBI in 139 games with Minnesota last year, and should benefit from playing most of his games in Coors Field.
Projected Rotation
Jhoulys Chacin (RHP) – The Rockies are counting on Chacin to become the ace of this staff. The 24-year-old has pitched a lot better than his record would indicate the past two seasons. He went 9-11 with a 3.28 ERA in 2010 and 11-14 with a 3.62 ERA last year. This could be the season he takes that next step and becomes a 15-game winner.
Jeremy Guthrie (RHP) – Colorado went out and added Guthrie, who has spent the last five seasons with the Orioles. Guthrie has struggled with consistency from year to year. He went 11-14 with a solid 3.83 ERA in 2010, but went just 9-17 with a 4.33 ERA last season. While he must adjust to pitching in Coors Field, he should benefit from not having to make the majority of his starts against the loaded lineups in the AL East.
Guillermo Moscoso (RHP) – Moscoso is another new starter the Rockies are hoping can make a big impact. Moscoso went just 8-10 in 21 starts with the A’s last season, but his 3.38 ERA and 1.09 WHIP are good indicators that the 28-year-old could surprise in 2012.
Tyler Chatwood (RHP) – Chatwood went just 6-11 with a 4.75 ERA and 1.67 WHIP in 25 starts with the Angels last year. Not good numbers by any means, but the kid just turned 22 in December. I wouldn’t expect a huge turnaround this season, but he has the potential to turn into a reliable starter down the road.
Juan Nicasio (RHP) – Nicasio has made a remarkable recovery from a broken neck suffered late last season and is expected to be ready for the start of the season. In his first stint in the majors, Nicasio went 4-4 with a 4.14 ERA and 1.27 WHIP in 13 starts. He will be competing with Drew Pomeranz, Alex White, and Josh Outman for the final spot in the rotation.
Projected Closer
Rafael Betancourt (RHP) – The Rockies are taking a chance on Betancourt to replace Houston Street in the ninth. The 36-year-old veteran reliever has been primarily used as a setup man, but has saved 27 games in his career. He doesn’t walk a lot of batters and has the strong strike out rate that you look for in a closer.
| 2012 Colorado Rockies Odds | |
| World Series | +4000 |
| NL Pennant | +1800 |
| NL West | +700 |
| Total Regular Season Wins | O80.5 (-125) |
| U80.5 (-105) |
Over/Under Total Home Runs in the 2012 Regular Season
Troy Tulowitzki – 32.5
Carlos Gonzalez – 27.5
Over/Under Total Wins in the 2012 Regular Season
Jhoulys Chacin – 11.5
Jeremy Guthrie – 10.5
MLB Predictions by Team
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