2011 Colorado Rockies: Projecting the Lineup
The 2011 Colorado Rockies have a lot of potential firepower in their mostly very young lineup. ย Jim Tracy has yet to make a final decision on an opening day roster, but in looking at his spring training games so far, piecing a projected lineup together is getting a little easier.
The Rockies have a couple of the game's hottest bats right now and this could be a breakout year for them, which in turn could lead to a very good year for the Rockies. ย A few questions remain, but let's take a look at what the Rockies lineup might look like on opening day.
Dexter Fower CF: Leadoff
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Fowler, who will turn 25 later in March, looks to be the Rockies leadoff batter. ย Manager Jim Tracy has had him in this position for most all the spring training games so far this year. ย In 2010, Fowler played in 132 games and ended the season with a .260 average. ย Fowler had 73 runs, 114 hits, 26 RBI, and six homers on the 2010 season. ย He may get a few days off here and there when Tracy rotates in Ryan Spilborgs during the season.ย
Seth Smith RF: Batting Second
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Seth Smith will be the Rockies right fielder and will most likely bat second. ย He too will split time on occasion with Ryan Spilborgs, but will for the most part be the Rockies number two batter. ย In 2010, Smith, who is 28, played in 133 games and carried a .246 average. ย He had 55 runs, 88 hits, 17 homers, and 52 RBI. The Rockies are hopeful that his home run production will continue to increase.ย
Carlos Gonzalez LF: Battng Third
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One of the breakout players of 2010, Carlos Gonzalez is the first piece of the Rockies power puzzle. ย CarGo, who is 25, played in 145 games in 2010 with a .336 average. ย He had 111 runs, 197 hits, 34 homers, and 117 RBI. ย He was the engine behind the Rockies runs scored. ย The Rockies signed him to a multi-year, multi-million dollar deal over the off season and are banking on him bringing in the runs that add up to wins.ย
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Troy Tulowitzki SS: Batting Fourth
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Troy Tulowitzki at age 27 is the Rockies middle power hitter. ย Tulo played in 142 games last year with a .315 average. ย He had 89 runs, 148 hits, 27 homers, and 95 RBI. ย The Rockies also signed him to a multi-year, multi-million dollar deal in the off season. ย CarGo and Tulo are the Rockies back-to-back punch that gets things moving for the lineup. ย The Rockies hope the two of them continue to build on past success to help get the team to the postseason.
Todd Helton 1B: Batting Fifth
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Todd Helton, at age 38, is one of the veteran's of the Rockies. ย He held the 3rd spot in the lineup for years, but with the addition of younger power hitters, he has been moved down the lineup. ย Helton also no longer plays every day and rotates off with an even older Jason Giambi, who is 40. ย In 2010, Helton played in 118 games with a .256 average. ย Still not bad for a guy pushing 40. ย He had 48 runs, 102 hits, eight homers, and 37 RBI. ย Giambi played in 87 games in 2010 with a .244 average. ย He had 17 runs, 43 hits, six homers, and 35 RBI. ย These guys still offer pop at the plate and great leadership for the younger generation of Rockies.
Ian Stewart 3B: Batting Sixth
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Ian Stewart, at age 26, will be manning third base for the Rockies in 2011 and looks to be batting sixth. ย Stewart has been slowed a bit in spring training after a knee to knee collision with Carlos Gonzalez that resulted in a bad bruise, but that should clear up quite quickly. ย He played in 121 games in 2010 with a .256 average. ย Stewart had 54 runs, 99 hits, eight homers, and 61 RBI in 2010. ย The Rockies are hopeful that with more at bats, his average will be climbing throughout 2011.
Jose Lopez 2B: Batting Seventh
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The Rockies picked up Jose Lopez from the Mariners this off season and he will be the everyday second baseman. ย He looks to fill the eighth spot in the lineup for 2011. ย Lopez, who is 27 years old, played in 150 games in 2010 for the Mariners with a .239 average. ย He had 49 runs, 142 hits, 10 homers, and 58 RBI. ย Lopez looks to be able to add some pop at the bottom of the lineup to get any runners on base moving around. ย This is something the Rockies have lacked in recent years and it could make a huge difference in wins and losses.
Chris Iannetta C: Batting Eighth
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Chris Iannetta will be the Rockies everyday catcher in 2011. ย Iannetta, who is 27, played in only 61 games last year as Miguel Olivo was the everyday catcher for the team. ย In 2010, he had 20 runs, 37 hits, nine homers, and 27 RBI. ย The Rockies are expecting a lot more out of Iannnetta for the 2011 campaign. ย He has played in only two spring training games so far this year, but already has one home run. ย Definitely a good sign for the Rockies.
Colorado Rockies 2011 Lineup
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The Colorado Rockies are looking to take their mostly very young team and head straight to the postseason and then, hope to bring home a World Series trophy for the city of Denver. ย The power in the lineup will only help them accomplish those goals. ย Look for the 2011 Rockies to put up a lot of hits and runs this season and hopefully some wins as well.
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