The Colorado Rockies Have To Get Better, Right?
It’s safe to say this was not the opening to 2024 the Colorado Rockies had hoped for.
In their first seven games, they’ve got a disappointing 1-6 with the Arizona Diamondbacks looking like they’re ready to pick up where they left off in October followed by a cold, soggy affair at Wrigley Field that left the Rockies swept by the Chicago Cubs.
The numbers are even worse. The Rockies have the worst run differential in MLB at -34 while the Oakland (Sacramento?) Athletics are next at -29. For the Rockies, nothing seems to be working.
Granted, early statistics mean nothing, and every MLB team is still in small-sample-size territory, but the initial numbers the Rockies have accrued are not good. They’ve hit only four home runs. (The Los Angeles Dodgers have the most with 14.) The Rockies have stolen only one base. (The Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers have each stolen 11 bases.) Their fWAR is -0.9. (Only the Miami Marlins’ is worse.) And that’s just on the offensive side.
In terms of pitching, the starting rotation has the worse ERA — by a lot — in baseball at 10.01. (The Washington Nationals are next at 7.13.) Their HR/9 is 2.43. (Only the Minnesota Twins are worse in this category.) The relief pitchers are not faring much better (6.59 ERA). And the Rockies have yet to play a game at Coors Field.
Also frustrating, that stellar defense that’s been a Rockies trademark is missing. The Rockies, collectively, have a -4 DRS (23rd). They also have seven errors, which ties them for second in MLB. (Oakland leads this category with a staggering 13 errors.) Nolan Jones leads all players with four.
Really, it’s not what you want.
I can’t make any promises, and I can’t see the future, but I do think this will get better.
The Rockies have finally made it back to Coors Field to “eat some home cooking” as it’s said. The pitching staff will settle in. The errors will decrease (because this is an outstanding defensive team). And the young players will stop pressing.
Right now, they’re trying hard — really hard — because they’ve worked during the offseason, and they want to show improvement over last season. Plus, they really don’t want another 100-loss season — Jones was clear about that at RockiesFest.
This will pass.
They’ll settle in, find their routine, and win some games. Brenton Doyle is making contact. Elehuris Montero is smoking the ball— and getting robbed by an talented Alek Thomas. And Nick Mears is in a zone.
And the weather will warm up (but probably not this weekend other than Friday). It’ll feel like baseball season again.
This is a young team with a lot of players who are still learning, and this is a difficult time. Everyone — including fans! — just needs a minute to breathe. Hopefully that happens this weekend. Remember: We’re only one week in.
It’s great to have baseball back in LoDo.
What I’m Reading
• Evan Lang detailed his frustrations with Dick Monfort’s comments to Troy Renck last week.
Evan Lang
• Colorado Governor Jared Polis loves baseball. Kevin Henry talked with him about it.
Kevin Henry
• The Rockies‘ farm system is exciting (even though it’s not getting much love in the farm system rankings). Skyler Timmins discusses where players will begin their MiLB season.
Skyler Timmins
• We’ve not heard the last of the MLB wardrobe malfunctions.
Stephen J. Nesbitt and Tyler Kepner
Closing Thoughts
And that’s it for this week. It’s a weird time in the season. Yes, there’s baseball but not enough to allow the big storylines to emerge. There’s not enough data, so every point seems huge.
That’s going to even out.
In the meantime, enjoy some baseball! And thanks for reading.
Renee
