The Colorado Rockies have officially entered the 2nd of the season. The 2009 MLB All-Star festivities start tonight with the Home Run Derby. Most of the Rockies will be home watching or hanging with their families. Brad Hawpe and Jason Marquis will be front and center this week as they both made the 2009 National League All-Star team. These two helped transform the Rockies from a terrible team to the franchise record holder for wins at the All-Star break. The Rockies will start the second half of the season with a 47-41 record.
Just a couple months ago, the Rockies looked like they might set the franchise record for losses in a season. The team was consistently losing and looked like they had no confidence... but things have changed. The Rockies finally got rid of Clint "Big Ego" Hurdle and replaced him with fan, media and player friendly, Jim Tracy. Tracy instantly brought a new managing style and his players responded in a huge way. The Rockies became a legitimate contender and have recaptured the attention of fans in Denver and across the country. There are many reasons the Rockies have rebounded, here are a few of them:
Brad HawpeHawpe surprised most people this season, myself included. He's taken over the big bat in the lineup the Rockies lost when Matt Holliday signed with Oakland. Hawpe has had good some really good seasons, but he's become a huge threat. He's hitting left handed pitching, hitting with two strikes and driving in runs. Hawpe seemed to put the team on his back at one point. The entire lineup was struggling but somehow he kept driving in runs. He's made a name for himself among the players across MLB. When Raul Ibanez couldn't play due to injury, Brad Hawpe took over the starting RF spot because the players gave him the most votes. If the Rockies can contend for the National League West or get the Wild Card, Hawpe could be in contention for MVP.
Jason MarquisMaquis was acquired from the Cubs this off season and has made a huge impact for the Rockies. He went into the All-Star break with the most wins in the National League. Pretty good for a guy that couldn't crack the top five for the Cubs. Marquis developed one of the best sinkers in baseball and he has great control. He's not afraid to let the batters make contact, or as Jim Tracy would say, "Pitch to contact.". Marquis relies on the defense behind him to make plays (he's pretty good himself) . He doesn't get tons of strike outs, but he hits his spots and can induce ground balls. A big bonus for Marquis is his athleticism. He's a good hitter, can pinch run and even play outfield (if it was absolutely necessary). Marquis is fun to watch because he loves to win. Can a Rockies pitcher get 20 wins? Can Marquis? Time will tell, but Jason Marquis had a great 1st half.
Todd HeltonHe's having the best year he has in the last 3 or 4. It was hard to watch Helton last year. You could tell he wasn't right and he tried to play through it. He had offseason surgery on his back and has responded in a big way. Todd's not going to have a career season, but he's back and a huge part of the lineup. Helton wants to win the big one and should be a huge part of the Rockies success in the 2nd half of the season. When you talk about him, you also have to talk about defense. He's one of the best defensive players in MLB, especially for first basemen (see same description below).
Huston StreetStreet's made the Oakland Athletics look like a bunch of fools. He's not even 26 years old and has over 3 seasons as a closer in the major leagues. Last season he lost his spot after he struggled and blew saves. Street's been huge for the Rockies since the changed his wind up. He's converted 22 of 23 save opportunities and has been tough in the late innings. His fastball seems to have come alive and hit 95 mph in his last appearance. Street looks to be at home in Colorado and has become a big part of the clubhouse. Street is a competitor and wants to prove many people wrong. If the Rockies keep giving him save opportunities, Huston Street should be at the top of the leader board at the end of the season.
Troy TulowitzkiTulo started off the season slow. His hitting was just off, he had trouble doing anything at the plate. It's funny but after Clint Hurdle was fired, Tulowitzki seemed to start hitting. Jim Tracy suggested a change in Tulo's stance and the rest is history. His average is still low, but he's leading the team in home runs and has started to hit in the middle of the lineup. if he continues to improve, I wouldn't be surprised to see Tulowitzki hit 30+ home runs this season. When you talk about him, you also have to talk about defense. He's one of the best defensive players in MLB, especially for short stops.
The best of the rest:Clint Barmes - he took over the 2nd spot in the batting order and put up huge numbers. Barmes was in a major slump but responded when Jim Tracy moved him up in the lineup. He's making a name for himself as one of the best hitting second basemen in the league.
Ubaldo Jimenez - if you look at his stats, his numbers are not great. These are deceiving as he's pitched really well this season. I believe Jimenez has the worst run support for all the Rockies starting pitchers. He's lost some really close games where the Rockies just couldn't hit. Jimenez has some of the nastiest stuff in the National League. If he starts getting run support, I think he'll finish the season with at least 15 wins.
Aaron Cook - I put Jimenez first because of his low run support. Cook has pitched well the last couple months, but struggled some at the start. He can make hitters ground into ground ball after ground ball. He's the guy I would consider the "Ace" on the Rockies pitching staff. This has more to do with his experience as a Rockie more than his stuff. He's pitched in some big games and has the guts to pitch when it counts. Cook should also be able to get in the 15-20 win range if he keeps it up.
Dexter Fowler - He's having a good rookie season. Fowler's hitting stats are nothing spectacular, but he's done many things that don't show up in the stats. He works pitchers into long counts, runs the bases well and makes highlight plays in center field. He can cover a ton of ground, which comes in handy at Coors Field. Fowler should improve and be a big part of the Rockies offense.
Starting Pitchers -
Jorge De La Rosa,
Jason Hammel
Who do you think has had the most impact for the Rockies? Where do you see the Rockies finishing? Will Jim Tracy be in the running for the coach of the year?