Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders with the latest installment of his Rockies Mailbag.
Pose a Rockies- or MLB-related question for the Rockies Mailbag.
Greetings Patrick. The NFL experience is over (Great Googly Moogly) and major league season is upon us. After last year’s record, and this offseason’s lack of moves, what and who are supposed to drive our excitement? Who are this year’s Ezequiel Tovar, Brenton Doyle and Nolan Jones? We are still waiting on Tulo/Jimenez/Morales II.
— Robert Emmerling, Limon
Greetings, Robert. The “excitement drivers” this season, outside of Tovar, Doyle and Jones, will likely be outfielders Jordan Beck, Yanquiel Fernandez and Zac Veen and second baseman Adael Amador. Beck and Fernandez can mash, Veen is an all-around talent, and Amador shows signs of being a terrific all-around player.
The thing is, while I assume that the Rockies will continue a full-fledged youth movement this season, it’s difficult to predict when the prospects will make it to the majors. I wouldn’t be shocked to see the club go all in on the kids in the second half of the season.
In your opinion, which non-roster invited player will surprise everyone in spring training and make the Rockies’ opening-day roster?
— Ed Helinski, Auburn, N.Y.
Ed, that’s a great question. The key phrase in your question is “surprise everyone.” I don’t think there is anyone who is going to shock us and force his way onto the roster this spring. Perhaps outfield prospect Jordan Beck could bash his way onto the lineup with a titanic spring.
The one player who comes into camp under the radar is right-handed reliever John Curtiss, who signed a minor-league deal with Colorado in late January. Curtiss, 30, is trying to revive his career after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2021 while he was with the Brewers.
Curtiss spent two seasons with the Mets but spent all of 2022 on the team’s 60-day injured list as he recovered from his surgery. The Mets signed him to a two-year deal, knowing that he would miss all of 2022, but he didn’t pitch well in limited action last season, posting a 4.58 ERA over 15 appearances (19 2/3 innings). But he’s got a decent track record. He’s pitched for the Angels, Rays, Marlins and Brewers and has a career 3.81 ERA in 91 games. Colorado’s bullpen needs some veteran depth.
What are your thoughts on the pitching rotation this season — starters, relievers and closers? Where do you see Cal Quantrill being in the rotation? Are there any young guys worth keeping an eye on?
— Trent Finnegan, Broomfield
Trent, it’s very early in camp, so things are still very fluid, particularly in the bullpen. As it stands now, the three starters locked into the rotation are left-handers Kyle Freeland and Austin Gomber and Quantrill. Free-agent signee Dakota Hudson, a veteran right-hander, will likely be the fourth arm in the rotation. I think the Quantrill trade was a solid move.
Right-handers Peter Lambert, Ryan Feltner and Noah Davis are competing for the fifth spot, with Lambert and Feltner ahead of Davis. You can read more about that in my recent story on Feltner’s comeback from his scary head injury.
The favorite to win the closer’s job is right-hander Justin Lawrence, though he’ll get pushed by right-hander Tyler Kinley.
As for intriguing newcomers, I’d keep an eye on right-hander Jaden Hill and lefty Carson Palmquist, though they probably won’t break camp with the team. Hill, who’s transitioning from starter to reliever, performed well in the Arizona Fall League.
Lots of news about the Rockies on TV this year, but no mention of radio broadcasts. Will all games be broadcast on the radio? If so, still on KOA? Same announcers? Thanks.
— John Bulkley, Westminster
John, all of the Rockies games will be broadcast on the KOA Radio Network — 850 AM & 94.1 FM in the Denver area and streaming live on iHeartRadio. Jack Corrigan, Jerry Schemmel and producer Jesse Thomas will once again bring you the action.
KOA will broadcast the following Cactus League games:
• Feb. 23 vs. Diamondbacks, 1:10 p.m.
• Feb. 24 at Diamondbacks, 1:10 p.m.
• Feb. 25 at Brewers, 1:10 p.m.
• Feb. 26 vs. Dodgers, 1:10 p.m.
• March 2 vs. Reds, 1:10 p.m.
• March 3 at Dodgers, 1:05 p.m.
• March 4 vs. Giants, 1:10 p.m.
• March 8 at Angels, 1:10 p.m.
• March 10 vs. Brewers, 2:10 p.m.
• March 12 vs. Royals, 2:10 p.m.
• March 19 vs. Guardians, 2:10 p.m.
• March 25 at Brewers, 2:10 p.m.
• March 26 vs. Brewers, 1:10 p.m.
Hi Patrick, is there any scenario where we would be able to get rid of Kris Bryant without losing a ton of money? Done with Bryant.
— Dave Sisson, Broomfield
Dave, the answer to that is no. The Rockies have to hope Bryant can stay healthy and produce. Even if the Rockies found a willing trade partner for Bryant, the Rockies would have to pay much of his remaining contract.
Hey Patrick, I have two questions for you. Where do you see Michael Toglia fitting in with the team this year? With Kris Bryant taking over first base, do you see him bouncing around off the bench and splitting time at first and in the outfield? He’s shown flashes of power but he’s gotta improve his splits if he wants to make it in the bigs.
Also, can you see Adam Duvall signing here? We have a power issue in Colorado — weird, I know — and he could be that Jason Giambi-type guy for us. We smacked just 163 homers last year compared to 234 dingers given up. We need a bit more oomph at the plate.
— Riley, Arvada
Riley, until Toglia tightens up his approach at the plate and cuts down on his 34.6% strikeout rate, Toglia won’t be on the big-league roster. He told me he would not give up being a switch-hitter.
Manager Bud Black said Tuesday that Bryant will still see some time in the outfield, which would free up some space at first base. But right now, Elehuris Montero, who is out of options, is ahead of Toglia on the depth chart at first. Toglia can also play right field, but there are others ahead of him in right field, too, namely Sean Bouchard, Charlie Blackmon (the primary designated hitter), Hunter Goodman and Bryant.
As for Duvall, there’s no way he will sign with the Rockies. The team is in a youth movement and he would only block playing time for others. A Jason Giambi-type veteran is typically only signed for a playoff-worthy team that needs some key at-bats.
What is Lucas Gilbreath’s status for opening day? If he’s not ready, will the Rockies just stick with Jalen Beeks as the lone lefty in the bullpen until he’s able to return?
— Skyler, Alamosa
Gilbreath, a product of Legacy High School in Broomfield, is working his way back from Tommy John surgery last March. In fact, he threw a full bullpen session Tuesday, which is a good stepping stone for him. I believe he has a chance to return in May. For now, Evan Justice and Beeks are the two lefty options in the ‘pen.
Hi Patrick, with spring training about to kick off I am curious what your thoughts are on the Rockies’ lackluster rotation. Seems like the Rox are banking on several guys bouncing back from arm injuries. Why not take a gamble on a Cy Young winner they can afford in Trevor Bauer? It would behoove the Rockies to give him a call.
— Rip, Aurora
Rip, Bauer, who has been embroiled in sexual assault allegations, has said he’d play for the league minimum if a team gave him a chance. So far, there have been no takers. The Rockies aren’t going to make him an offer. They don’t need the headache and I can’t imagine owner Dick Monfort signing off on that deal, even for a minimum salary.
Now that the Rockies have two Baseball Hall of Famers, and given that the Rotary Club of Denver no longer gives the Branch Rickey Award, what is the likelihood that the Rockies remove “The Player” from Coors Field’s home plate entrance plaza in favor of Todd Helton and Larry Walker statues?
— Matt Finnigan, Superior
Matt, I have heard nothing about the Rockies erecting statues of Helton or Walker at 20th and Blake. For now, the statue that’s in place there will have to suffice as a meeting place for Rockies fans. I think statues of Walker and Helton would be a nice addition and I know a lot of other fans think so too.
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