Despite NLDS loss, future optimistic for Rockies | Rockies.com
The Rockies 2018 season came to a disappointing end Sunday afternoon, but there are certainly some good takeaways from the season. They were able to make it to the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time in franchise history. They’ve got some bright spots in the lineup, such as local boy Kyle Freeland. The bullpen came together pretty well by the end of the year, and the really big issue was the offense. Despite the woes, the Rockies are optimistic about the future and what it might bring.
Sunday afternoon was a rough end for the Rockies’ promising 2018 season. In what could potentially be his final outing in a Rockies uniform, DJ LeMahieu struck out on three pitches, but afterwards, he chose to remember the good times he had in Colorado purple. Long-time Rocky Carlos Gonzalez, star Adam Ottavino, and team-spirited Gerardo Parra are all looking at free agency now, which will mean some big shakeups for the team. Colorado has treated these players well, and they’ll be missed if they leave, so we’ll see what 2019 can bring.
As 2018 wraps up, we can take a look ahead to 2019 and remain optimistic about what the next year will bring. One major hope for the next season is an improved Jon Gray. He was expected to break out in 2018 after an impressive 2017, but kept stumbling and misfiring, leading to an overall disappointing year. He was entirely left off of the NLDS roster, and had to sit on the sidelines and watch his team get swept. Gray hopes to be able to use this frustration as motivation and work hard in the offseason to get himself back to ace status. He will work on execution of his pitches as well as his own strength. Hopefully he can use the offseason to bounce back in a huge way.