All Time Colorado Rockies

All Time Colorado Rockies

Next up for the All Time Team Series is the Colorado Rockies. I figured I’d keep it in the NL West, and went with a team I’ve always enjoyed watching for one reason or another. The Rockies came about in 1991 after much support for the Denver Bears/Zephyrs minor league baseball teams and after a bit of an owners scandal got running in 1993. They have reached the playoffs five times, each and every time as the wild card team. In 2007 they were able to advance to the World Series after an unbelieve run only to lose to the Red Sox. They have no members in the hall of fame…yet. Larry Walker is knocking on the door with 54.6% this past year and Todd Helton is also registered 16.5% in his first year on the ballot.

The Rockies boast a very strong lineup, with the players that have 9 OB having ridiculous charts. I chose to lead Shumpert off first due to the 10 OB, great speed and a solid chart. Arenado despite being a 9OB has an unreal chart and is followed by some of the better hitters in the game, period. Walker’s 2017 card is a scary 10 OB, 20 speed, HR at 17 double at 13. Helton and Holliday follow with two more 10 OB and great charts. The only weak spot in this lineup is their catcher who still boasts a 10 OB, but no home runs. His +6 defense and high OB make him still extremely valuable, and in contrast to the Padres who didn’t have much speed, the Rockies don’t have a single player with C speed. This is going to be a very fun offensive team to play with.

This lineup is going to give their starting rotation plenty to work with, which is probably for the best since the rotation does leave something to be desired. Kyle Freeland’s 2018 card will give you plenty to work with a 6 Control and no doubles given up, followed by Jimenez who also doesn’t give up doubles but with a lowly 3 Control could easily find himself in trouble against the likely high OB lineups. Marquez is another who could have similar issues with only 2 Control, however with only a walk and a double on the chart, as long as you’re rolling well you should be able to limit the damage. The classic 2001 Mike Hampton card is the first to give you 7 IP, and the rotation is rounded out by Francis who is just an OK pitcher. Luckily the bullpen has some heat you can rely on, and with how dangerous this offense will be, this could lead to a successful team.

The bullpen doesn’t necessarily boast the top end type talent of Hoffman but there is serious depth here. Gabe White is the strongest card with a 5 Control and 18 to get on base, although he does give up a double. Ottavino, who the Rockies didn’t resign much to my happiness as a Yankees fan, is next who gives you 6 Control and although he only has 15 outs he doesn’t give up a double which limits the damage that can be done. Oberg, who ranks as the worst of this group still gives a classic “good” pitcher card with 5 control, a walk, 2 singles and a double. This group will do a great job at being able to step up and stop the bleeding if the starters get into trouble, and between White and Ottavino you can nail down any close games without too much concern.

 One of the great things about this roster is they don’t sacrifice speed or defense in order to have great charts, so for my bench I’d go with Hawpe or Story. Both are great options, however it’s unlikely they’ll see much playing time, and so I’d probably lean towards another pitcher. Brian Fuentes is the next reliever off the board and I think provides some good value with 4 control, 17 to get on base and no doubles. 

All in all I think this presents a really great team, and one that I’ll definitely enjoy playing with. I think they’ll fall short of some of the more historically dominant teams, but definitely having the capability to knock them off. The starting lineup alone clocks in at 4,530 points, the starters at 2,010, relievers at 1,630 including Fuentes. Overall the team clocks in at 9,930 points,which will be interesting to compare as I do more of these. Hoping to knock out one a week at least!

Hitters

Starters

Relievers