We are just two weeks away from the Colorado Rockies first regular season game of the 2024 season! From the very beginning of the season, this Rockies team has faced a ton of questions and concerns that will need to be answered. While this Rockies team isn’t bound to make the postseason, the club has an opportunity to redeem themselves after an awful 2023 season. With plenty of young talent on the roster, there will be a mindset of redemption all year round. Three dynamic players have an opportunity to not only elevate their own play but the whole team’s play as well.
Rockies Players Who Can Rise to the Occassion
Nolan Jones
Colorado outfielder Nolan Jones put up a 20/20 season with a .931 OPS in 2023
The @Rockies rising star caught up with Greg about his amazing rookie season and how he plans on following it up. pic.twitter.com/Zd22b2Qauq
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) March 8, 2024
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25-year-old left fielder Nolan Jones, was one of the best players on the Rockies roster last season. His play elevated significantly from his 2022 regular season with the Cleveland Guardians. During the 2023 season in 106 games played, Jones recorded 109 hits. Through 367 at-bats, he also put up 20 home runs, 62 runs batted in, and 20 stolen bases on a .297 batting average. ZiPS Projections believe that Nolan will have a second straight year of improvements with 133 hits, 22 home runs, 84 RBI, and 14 stolen bases. If Jones averages around ZiPS projected numbers, he would have a 22-run batted-in increase from the 2023 season. That would be huge for this Rockies ballclub who needs to score as much as they can this season, especially against their division, the toughest in the league.
Ryan Feltner
Pitchers Showing Increased Velo Yesterday
Quinn Priester (Slider): +3.5mph
AJ Smith-Shawver (Slider): +3.0mph
Amos Willingham (Slider): +2.8mph
AJ Smith-Shawver (4-Seam Fastball): +1.9mph
Ryan Feltner (4-Seam Fastball): +1.7mph— Jon Anderson (@JonPgh) March 11, 2024
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The fourth-year starting pitcher is ready to redeem himself after his first three seasons were quite miserable. Last season, Ryan Feltner only had ten starts on the mound. He went 2-4 with an ugly 5.82 ERA through 43 innings pitched. Ryan also had 38 strikeouts. According to ZiPS Projections, Feltner should have a kinder 2024 season. FanGraphs believes he will work in 19 starts, and 20 appearances on the mound that the fourth-year starter will put a 5-6 record. Also, they predict Feltner will have a 5.15 ERA and 83 strikeouts. That’s certainly an improvement from his 2023 season. If Ryan can elevate his game to a level the Rockies have not seen yet, perhaps there’s a solid chance for a postseason appearance for this Rockies team.
Sean Bouchard
Sean Bouchard’s solo home run on Monday courtesy of the Camelback Ranch ballpark cam.
Bouchard may have only 140 plate appearances with the Rockies since 2022, but he’s been impressive:
7 HR
.304 BA
.429 OBP
1.056 OPS
165 OPS+
: @rockies pic.twitter.com/DuX9PNbots
— Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) March 11, 2024
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2024 should be a big year for right fielder Sean Bouchard. He’s been fighting for the past two seasons, and competing for the Rockies starting right fielder position, and now 2024 looks to be the year Bouchard becomes an everyday starter. Over the past two seasons, Sean has played in 48 games, and in 112 at-bats, he’s recorded 34 hits, seven home runs, and 18 runs batted in with a .304 batting average. ZiPS predicts Bouchard will elevate his numbers, and be a formidable player in the Rockies’ everyday lineup. ZiPS believes Sean would put up 75 hits, 12 home runs, and 46 runs batted in. Colorado has faith in the 27-year-old outfielder and believes he can push this team in the right direction after their 103 loss 2023 season.
Main Photo: © Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
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