Fantasy Forces:
1B-Todd Helton (29) Nagging elbow and back problems may have kept Helton's power numbers below expected but he still found himself
near the top of the hitting leaders. A career .333 hitter, Helton is one of 3 major leaguers to top .300/100//30/100 each of the last
four seasons (Jason Giambi and Vlad are the others) and should be closer to his ultra-productive '01 season than last year's. He is just
entering his prime and if anyone has a shot at the all-elusive .400, given his home environment, it's Helton.
RF-Larry Walker (36) A couple months ago Walker thought he would be a Diamondback when spring training came around but Matt
Williams nixed the trade. Considering he has hit .351 in six seasons in Colorado, that's probably a good thing but the veteran
continues to be a health risk at all times. He hasn't had 500 ABs since '97 and has missed 188 games in the five seasons since.
If he is healthy he is one of the games most dangerous all around players but that's a big if.
CF Preston Wilson (28) Following his 30/30 in '00, Wilson has compiled consecutive 20/20 campaigns while focusing on continuing
to make better contact. While he is still a free swinger, the five-tool center fielder gets to hit in front of one of the game's top
duos and will have his sights set on getting back to previous levels. In the thin air a mile high, another 30/30 isn't out of the
question.
Better Days Ahead:
SS-Juan Uribe (23)- Along with double play partner Jose Ortiz, Uribe was thrown to the wolves last year in his first season as a
starter. While there are no questions regarding his defensive skills he a considerable lack of patience as he struggled to swing at
good pitches. Over time he could develop into a top of the order hitter but he will spend most of '03 near the bottom and will be
spelled frequently by Hernandez.
SP-Aaron Cook (24)- Looking for immediate help in the rotation, the Rockies vaulted Cook through the last two levels of the minors
and into the majors for a 5 start preview. With good results and a major league caliber sinker, he showed enough to land the #5 role
this season. Although rough times are surely ahead, the youth around him in the rotation will only lessen the transition.
Eventually he should be a quality middle-of-the-rotation pitcher.
LF-Jack Cust (24)- Much like his former teammate Erubiel Durazo, Cust is held back by his inabilities as a fielder but that is
where the similarities end. Extremely undisciplined, he fans more than once every three ABs including 32 in 65 at-bats with the
Rockies last year. While he is obviously not Senior Circuit material, his value as a DH is dropping as well, making a trade to the AL
more doubtful all the time. For a hitter once regarded so highly, there are far too many holes in his game to make him worth a gamble.
Past Their Prime:
C-Charles Johnson (31)- True, Johnson is not really past his prime but considering he will spend the rest of his days wondering
how he can approach his magical '00 production, his career is on the way down. Never known for his bat prior to that season, his value
in Colorado will be behind the plate as he inherits a young staff in need of veteran leadership. And although he will hit much lower
than accustomed to in Florida, CJ will still provide respectable power output. |
Supporting Cast:
3B Jose Hernandez (33)- Like Wilson, Hernandez is hounded by the "free swinger" label and he did nothing to dismiss it
last year, avoiding a new strikeout standard only because he was benched late in the season. Likely finding most of his playing time
at the hot corner, Hernandez will have ample opportunity to get his strikeout levels back to tolerable while raising his production another
level. Free swinger or not, Hernandez is one of the majors' top power hitters among middle infielders.
LF Jay Payton (30)- Saddled with stagnancy and a lack of playing time, Payton came over for John Thomson last year and earned
himself a full-time job in '03. Not only did he hit 50 points higher than he did in New York but Payton nearly duplicated his overall
production in half as many games. A career year is a distinct possibility.
SP Jason Jennings (24)- While it was only a matter of time before a Colorado Rockie took home ROY honors, only Mrs Jennings
thought it would be a pitcher. Mixing some good junk with a Sid Fernandez-style fastball, Jennings led the staff in most everything
while picking up 16 wins for a team that won only 73 games. While he will still endure periods of growth, Jennings will get plenty of
innings and should get his homeruns down as well.
RP-Todd Jones (34)- While Jimenez is the sure closer Jones is the Rockies top set-up option, resulting in a 4th-best 30 holds in
'02. Pitching in Colorado will inflate his stats but should the need for a closer arise, Jones will likely be the first alternative.
Until then he will be his usual productive self in the late innings.
SP Dennis Stark (28)- Stark enters '03 with a spot in the rotation after splitting his first season in Colorado between the
rotation and bullpen. Considering he went 8-1 with a 3.21 ERA at home it should be noted that Stark saw a drastic increase in walks
per 9 innings, alluding to belief that he doesn't have full confidence similar to Hampton and Astacio before him. If that is the case,
Stark doesn't have good enough stuff to survive in Coors.
CL-Jose Jimenez (29)- Jimenez was not only one of the pleasant surprises in Colorado but all of baseball as he established a club
record for saves, earning one in 56% of the Rockies wins. While the Rockies offense would usually have a negative effect on save
opportunities, the dismal staff more than makes up for it and Jimenez should once again see nearly 50 of them although a 87% conversion
ratio is unlikely.
Risky Business:
SP-Denny Neagle (34)- With Hampton's departure Neagle moves to the top of the rotation. Demoted to the bullpen for a stint in '02,
Neagle returned to post a 2.04 ERA in August but was back to his gratuitous self the final month. While it's obvious Neagle will never
be an effective pitcher in Colorado, he is still one of their highest earners and is on a permanent trade block so a new home is not out of
the question for the '03 season, where he may finally get back to being the pitcher he was in Cincinnati.
SP-Shawn Chacon (25)- Chacon followed up a respectable rookie season with a campaign ripe with frustrations and failures,
resulting in a trip to Colorado Springs for 4 starts. Most of his problems can be linked to a pectoral muscle injury that sidelined
him for a period in May but they also stem from the same lack of confidence seen in Hampton and Astacio. Though his curveball is
effective even in Colorado, it is set up by a low-90s fastball but last year he couldn't make it to the 90s, leaving his pitches exposed.
He will need to earn a spot in the rotation during the spring but it's likely he will.
2B-Ron Belliard (27)- Belliard, a one-time five-tool prospect, was signed to a minor league contract after wearing out his welcome in
Milwaukee and will go in battling Butler for the second base job. It would seem that it is Belliard's to lose and it may be just the
environment he needs to revive a sinking career. If he does win a starting job, he will also stand a good chance to replace Pierre at
the top of the order. |
