Charlie Blackmon Would Be a Deserving MVP | FanGraphs Baseball
Craig Edwards acknowledges that Nolan Arenado is the best player on the team, but that doesn’t mean he has had the best year. Chuck has been so consistent all year it’s almost jarring to look up and see that, going into Tuesday, he was tied for the National League lead in fWAR. He may not win the MVP (Anthony Rendon and Paul Goldschmidt have had excellent years), but Craig’s case takes into account just about ever factor and concludes, rightly, that Blackmon should get some love as well.
Oral History: The night the Sandblaster was born | BSN Rockies
Nolan Arenado's new nickname which was given to him in the middle of Monday night's critical Rockies-Diamondbacks. In case you missed it happening in real time, Jake Shapiro has you covered.
Prospectus Roundtable: Wild Card X-Factors | Baseball Prospectus
Matthew Trueblood speaks up for the Rockies and the advantage their young pitching staff gets from roster expansions for the stretch run. He also mentions the need to talk about Cargo's playing time which, well, poor timing I guess.
Which wild-card contenders could thrive or fade down the stretch? | ESPN Insider ($)
An Insider subscription is required but, spoiler alert, the Rockies are in the "teams that could put the pedal to the metal" section, along with the St Louis Cardinals.
Player Profiles
Rockies' Gray avoids trouble vs. D-backs | MLB.com
Lost in last night's rightful celebration of two gorgeous CarGo bat drops--er, I mean, home runs, was Jon Gray's stellar performance. In his last ten starts (since his blow up against the Mets), Gray has a 2.79 ERA and 1.17 WHIP with 57 strikeouts in 60 1/3 innings. In case you were still wondering who the best pitcher on the team was, Gray is proving it to you right now.
Freeland avoids injury after comebacker | MLB.com
In Monday's game left-handed pitcher Kyle Freeland was hit on his throwing shoulder and jaw by a J.D. Martinez line drive. It was a scary moment but it looks like Freeland is on track to make his next start, Saturday against the Padres.
Rockies’ Lucroy open to returning to Colorado | The Denver Post
Jonathan Lucroy is a rental catcher, but he sure doesn't feel like one. This could be a case of a guy saying all the right things in the interim, or he genuinely likes being around. In any case, the Rockies should at least make a run for his services. He's hitting .278/.388/.400 in 30 games in purple, which isn't too far off from his career .280/.340/.432. Maybe the thin air and good schools agrees with him.
Nolan Arenado, Manny Machado compared | MLB.com
Give me The Sandblaster everyday and twice on Sunday.
Notes from the Field: September 12, 2017 | Baseball Prospectus ($)
A brief note on No. 1 PuRP Brendan Rodgers:
Brendan Rodgers, SS, Colorado Rockies (High-A Lancaster)
Sent back to High-A after missing most of August with strained quad; timing has been off at the plate since return, beaten consistently in zone by velo, earlier-season aggressiveness has heightened, in three looks over past week has swung at 11 of 13 first pitches, struggling to stay off right-right spin down; looks tired, still favoring quad, 4.43 on ostensible dig after consistent average-or-better run times earleir in season.
Colorado Rockies history: Larry Walker wins the NL MVP | Roxpile
Know your history, folks. And expect a lot more Larry Walker coverage this offseason.
Purple Row
Rockies 2018 regular season schedule released | Purple Row
We now know all of the important dates, including the fireworks games. Make sure to mark your calendars for Thursday, March 29. Yes, a Thursday in March is when the season will start, as every team will aim to open the season on the same day for the first time since the 1960's. Fun note: since the Rockies open the season against the Diamondbacks, they won't have to leave the Phoenix area for the entire month of March, just like normal!
What’s your Rocktober story? | Purple Row
Ten years ago today the Rockies got blown out by the eventual NL East champion Phillies, 14-6. They lost their next two games and were 6 1/2 games out of the division. We all know what happened next.
It’s been 10 years since Rocktober, and Purple Row will highlight your stories throughout September. Just a friendly reminder to get your submission in. If you need any help writing a FanPost, we have a guide (or two!) for that.
Around the National League
Diamondbacks 2, Rockies 4: Bullpen Successfully Avoids Win | AZ Snake Pit
A view from the other side.
Giants lose, Dodgers win | McCovey Chronicles
The Indomitable Grant Brisbee on the end of an 11-game losing streak.
Cardinals Pound Reds, Keep Pace in Central | Viva El Birdos
Pick your poison from the NL Central, because it's looking like it will probably be either the Cubs or the Cardinals. St Louis is riding some serious Cardinals Devil Magic to make their way back into this race.
Brewers big inning buries Bucs, 5-2 | Brew Crew Ball
Brewers keep nipping at the Rockies heels thanks to not losing. Today they'll start budding ace Chase Anderson on three days rest to try to keep pace.