MLB Season Preview: Colorado Rockies

With some freakishly old veterans and freakishly talented youngsters, the Rockies figure to be an intriguing yet inconsistent team in 2012.

Troy Tulowitzki can hit, hit for power, field, throw,
and cure certain liver diseases.

Offense: Two five-tool superstars in the prime of their careers anchor the lineup: Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez. They both hit for power and average while playing excellent defense; health is the only thing keeping them from being perennial MVP candidates. They're surrounded by some solid veterans who can still hold their own with the bat, like Todd Helton, Marco Scutaro, Ramon Hernandez, and, yes, Jason Giambi. Free agent addition Michael Cuddyer is loving the sweet transition from Target Field to Coors. And some are expecting a breakout season from Dexter Fowler, the 26-year-old center-fielder and leadoff man. Third base is the black hole on this roster, and whoever fills that role on a nightly basis is just a placeholder for top prospect Nolan Arenado, currently tearing up the minor leagues.

Remarkably, Jamie Moyer has pitched to 8.9% of all
hitters who have ever played Major League Baseball.

Pitching: The Rockies have assembled a deep group of arms, yet none of them inspire great confidence. With Jorge de la Rosa sitting on the DL, the Opening Day starter was Jeremy Guthrie, a former Oriole (ew) who brings his flyball tendencies to the Coors launching pad (ewwww). Jamie Moyer is a nice feel-good story, but he's still a 49-year-old whose fastball wouldn't even be flagged for speeding on most interstates. The Rockies' fate will really be determined by a trio of unproven hurlers at the back of the rotation. Jhoulys Chacin has a world of potential that he hasn't been able to harness yet; Juan Nicasio has miraculously worked all the way back from last season's line drive to the head; and Drew Pomeranz is a former first-round pick acquired from Cleveland for Ubaldo Jimenez. The Rockies have a ton of other potential starting options, but none have much of a major league track record. Since there are no sure things in the rotation, the elite late-inning bullpen trio of Rafael Betancourt, Rex Brothers, and Matt Belisle will play a critical role.

Dexter's finally getting his big chance.

Breakout Candidates: On offense, the only real candidate is Dexter Fowler, whose post-All-Star Break numbers last year were mouth-watering for a young center-fielder: a .286/.367/.415 line. He's playing every day and the Rockies need him to be a catalyzing force atop their lineup. On the mound, literally anyone not named Jamie Moyer (whose breakout was a good two decades ago) could either take a big step forward or crash and burn.

3 Key Questions: Can Tulowitzki and Gonzalez stay healthy for most of the season? Who sticks at third base? And what in the world will the Rockies get from their unpredictable rotation?

Best Case Scenario: Chacin, Nicasio, and Pomeranz pitch up to their potential, Tulowitzki and Gonzalez stay healthy and productive, Arenado is playing third by June, Cuddyer provides a third elite bat, and the Rockies steal a wild card spot.

Worst Case Scenario: The pitching gets pummeled, Tulowitzki and Gonzalez miss significant time, the veterans lose a step, and the Rockies finish below .500.

Predicted Finish: Pitching depth or no pitching depth, Colorado barely has one reliable starter. Combine this with the fact that their two superstar position players struggle to stay healthy, and fourth place in the NL West seems to be a likely destination.