On Sunday morning, Nolan Arenado reported to camp at the Salt River Fields complex in Scottsdale. He’s looking to stay positive and help the Rockies in any way he can and help this team return to the postseason since 2018. Despite the bad pitching and injuries the Rockies suffered in 2019, the staff is looking to change the momentum and refocus the goals they had a year ago. Ian Desmond had to say something about the team rebounding from 2019…
“You can look at it as a loss last year, or you can look at the fact that we identified a lot of things that went wrong and we’re going to use it to make a championship team this year,” Desmond said. “There were a lot of bad things that happened, a lot of turmoil and a lot of headaches. But they’re only that if you don’t use them to benefit you. “There are a lot of guys who have a renewed focus and a positive direction.”
Jon Gray also had a word on the Rockies staff…“Our guys are super-talented,” Gray said. “We’ve all seen them put it on display. It’s just about trying to figure out how to get them there and keep them there. If we get to that spot, we’re going to be really dangerous.”
As you’ve heard many times before, you learn from your mistakes. Perhaps 2019 had to be one of those years for the Rockies in order for them to get better. The Rockies still have most of the core group of players that were with them in 2018 when they clinched the Wild Card and made it to the NLDS. Can they have a “94-win” season? Can they rebound after a disappointing season? Do we have a team that is potentially dangerous? ABSOLUTELY! Then what are the keys for the Rockies to return to the playoffs. Number one is of course winning games. Two is obviously pitching…especially at home. Three is shutting down close games with our bullpen and closer. Wade Davis must have a better season in 2020 in order for that to happen. Four is scoring insurance runs in late innings and having a consistent offense. We’ll have to wait and see how it all plays out by Opening Day in San Diego.
Rockies open up Spring Training against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday at 1:10 PM MT. No word on who will be starting the game quite yet.
-Rockies Now
