Entry #2 State of the Roster
Hey guys, it's Bill. I just thought I'd go through the roster and what I see in most of the players. We've certainly got some talent! I'll give a few words about each of the players on my 25 man roster starting from the bottom and working my way up to the players with the highest overall rating.
MR Jordan Lyles; 23 years old(cur: 20/80; pot: 22/80)
Lyles isn't anything special. He's pretty average with all his pitches, and he doesn't have much to overpower or fool hitters with. I'm not sure he has much of a future with the team.
SS Josh Rutledge; 24 years old (cur: 21/80; pot: 37/80)
Like Lyles, there isn't anything spectacular, but Rutledge does have a couple nice tools. His gap power projects to be a little above average, and his ability to steal and run the bases is his best attribute. I think he can become a serviceable bench player.
C Jordan Pacheco; 28 years old(cur: 21/80; pot: 21/80)
Pacheco is by no stretch of the imagination a starting catcher, but he has good tools and has performed pretty well in the majors and high minors. His contact is slightly above average, and he has surprisingly good instincts on the basepaths for a catcher. I still am not sure what the future holds for Pacheco.
2B DJ Lemahieu; 25 years old(cur: 21/80; pot: 23/80)
I like DJ. If nothing big changes, he'll be the starting 2B for our club this season, despite his low overall ratings. His ability to hit the ball is very good, and his defense and speed are both above average. I guess I'll say it again, I like DJ.
RF Charlie Blackmon; 27 years old(cur: 21/80; pot: 21/80)
Blackmon is okay. Nothing special here. A replacement level type player. Good speed and range in the outfield, but his offense is subpar. Could be an adequate replacement to Cargo if he is dealt, but I might try and shop Blackmon as well.
CF Brandon Barnes; 27 years old(cur: 21/80; pot: 22/80)
Barnes isn't going to be on the team for long. A good bench bat, and he has good speed and defense, but I just don't feel like there is a spot on the team for him. I might have a spot for him in Triple-A though!
CF Corey Dickerson; 24 years old(cur: 21/80; pot: 45/80)
Dickerson came as a center fielder, but his defensive ratings are far better in left field, and when I changed his position, he became a 28 overall with the potential to be a 60 in the future. Not bad. I am impressed with Dickerson and like his future. He should be one of the building blocks going forward, but no one is safe.
SP Franklin Morales; 28 years old(cur: 22/80; pot: 23/80)
His overall ratings are pretty low, at least by my scouting director. I believe that he can be a good middle to back end of the rotation guy. His pitches all grade out above average, and I think he'll be a decent part of the rotation.
1B Justin Morneau; 32 years old(cur: 27/80; pot: 27/80)
A fragile player with two years left on his contract, I think I will be looking to get rid of him. His power would be nice in this park, but he isn't in the future plans.
MR Latroy Hawkins; 41 years old(cur: 29/80; pot: 29/80)
Hawkins won't be here long, as he's a season or two away from retirement, but he will be a decent late inning reliever for us. I think Latroy will finish his career here, but that's only because he is 41 years old and that he has a team option for next year.
RF Michael Cuddyer; 34 years old(cur: 29/80; pot: 29/80)
Cuddyer has a great bat. It will certainly play well in this park. His salary is a little high, and this year is the last in his contract, so I will definitely be exploring some trade options there. I like him, but he might be a little too expensive. I might potentially hold onto him the whole year to try and get some sort of draft pick compensation, but we shall see.
C Wilin Rosario; 25 years old(cur: 31/80; pot: 57/80)
I like Rosario. He's young, he's got a good bat, and pretty decent behind the dish. His power fits well in this park, and in his first two full seasons, he hit 28 and 21 home runs. Down the road he could be an extension candidate.
MR Adam Ottavino; 28 years old(cur: 33/80; pot: 37/80)
Ottavino has all of the tools to be a great reliever in the league. He's got a great pitch in his slider, and he is above average with all of his other pitches. For only $502,000 this year, he sure looks like a bargain.
SP Tyler Chatwood; 24 years old(cur: 40/80; pot: 59/80)
Chatwood is in a good spot. He's got good ratings on his pitches, he's young, and he's got the potential to get better. What's not to like? Needless to say, I think he'll be staying in Colorado for awhile.
SP Juan Nicasio; 27 years old(cur: 42/80; pot: 49/80)
Nicasio isn't totally special. He's pretty much above average in most of his stuff, which isn't bad, but it won't make him a great pitcher. He should be a middle of the rotation guy. I might look to move him.
MR Wilton Lopez; 30 years old(cur: 49/80; pot: 49/80)
This guy looks pretty good. His control is impeccable, and he's got some good pitches. I'm not sure how well he'll be, but I definitely think he'll be a pretty darn good reliever.
SP Jorge De La Rosa; 32 years old(cur: 49/80; pot: 49/80)
I have to say, I am not a fan of him. He seems decent, and he's above average in most of his pitch ratings, but I don't think he's worth $11 million. I am going to look to sell immediately.
3B Nolan Arenado; 22 years old(cur: 52/80; pot: 80/80)
That potential though! Seriously, Arenado should be the cornerstone of my franchise come a few seasons. His power potential looks to be his best tool, which fits well in our park. I will be keeping him, no doubt.
MR Chad Bettis; 24 years old(cur: 53/80; pot: 61/80)
Currently, he's a reliever, but he projects to be a starter, so I might explore that option later in the season. He's above average in most of his ratings. This will be his rookie season, as he only threw 44.2 innings in the majors last year. Probably a keeper, but he could be used.
SP Brett Anderson; 26 years old(cur: 53/80; pot: 59/80)
Anderson looks like he could be decent, but I don't trust him. His ratings are pretty good, but I might look to move him. That will depend on how his season goes.
MR Matt Belisle; 33 years old(cur: 67/80; pot 67/80)
Belisle looks like one of my top three relievers. His curveball is a great pitch, and everything else is well above average. He's making $4.25 mm this season, and this is his last year here. I may try and extend him, but if I can't do that I'll certainly try to move him.
LF Carlos Gonzalez; 28 years old(cur: 76/80; pot: 77/80)
Cargo is one of my studs, one of my expensive studs. He does everything well. He is injury prone, but when healthy he is still one of the best outfielders in the game. I will be looking to trade him off before his contract gets even more expensive.
CL Rex Brothers; 26 years old(cur: 79/80; pot: 79/80)
You're looking at the Rockies' 2014 closer. I love this guy. He's young and he's got great stuff. He isn't going anywhere, at least not under my watch.
SS Troy Tulowitzki; 29 years old(cur 80/80; pot: 80/80)
Not much to say here. You guys know about him. He's an 80 overall and he's pretty good in everything. He's making tons of money, and I don't want to pay him all that money.