It has been a tough season to be a Rockies fan for many reasons (wild losses, injuries, disappointing player performances, etc.), and Kyle Newman asserts that we should be prepared for more of the same next year. As a silver lining, for many of the reasons 2020 will be another letdown, 2021 looks to be a true championship contention window.
Yes, next year we will still most likely have to endure Wade Davis, Jake McGee, and Bryan Shaw—the MegaPen that wasn’t. Ian Desmond and Daniel Murphy both have big contracts that will certainly buy them playing time, but once the sun sets on 2020, the books will begin to clear. There will be money to spend, but will it be spent wisely?
Most importantly, 2020 will allow more critical playing time for young breakouts like Ryan McMahon and Brendan Rodgers to grow. It will allow Jon Gray and German Marquez to settle into “ace” rolls more, and give Kyle Freeland another year to recalibrate (and heal). It might not be the prettiest, but next season will set up what appears to be a significant opportunity for the Rockies to challenge the Dodgers once again for the NL West crown.
How a no-hitter dies, starring Chi Chi González and the Rockies | The Athletic ($)
Nick Groke discusses Chi Chi González’s attempt at history on Monday night and what was going through the veteran’s mind as the game progressed. Chi Chi tells the tale of a particular heckler who was getting in his head by trying to jinx him, but if you ask me, a fan talking about the no-hitter probably didn’t have anything to do with the eventual hits that occurred. No, actually, it really didn’t at all, because jinxes don’t exist.
Ex-baseball players Dotel, Castillo linked to DR drug ring | AP News
Former Colorado Rockie and, well, many other teams, relief pitcher Octavio Dotel has reportedly been arrested in the Dominican Republic in connection to what is being called “the most important drug trafficking structure in the region,” run by a drug lord known as César the Abuser. It sounds like something out of Hollywood, but this is real bad for Dotel.
Former MLB infielder Luis Castillo was also cited by Dominican Republic authorities, but not arrested. Luis implored his innocence online by giving the good old “I made millions playing baseball, why would I need more money?” excuse. Ah yes, as we all know, once you’re rich you totally stop having an interest in more money.
Every team’s 2020 Spring Training schedule | MLB.com
Despite Kyle Newman’s assertions from above, it’s still refreshing to think about a fresh season of baseball after a long, cold winter. As Thomas Harrigan explains, the 2020 season will start with a few Spring Training games on February 21st, and the Rockies will begin on February 22nd against the Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields. They’ll wrap up exhibition play against Seattle on March 23rd and 24th before traveling to San Diego to open the season on the road against the Padres.
On the farm
The JetHawks won behind a gem of a game from Ryan Rolison, who pitched five innings of one run baseball while striking out five. Tommy Doyle picked up his 19th save with a perfect ninth inning. Rolison has endured some tough games in the Cal League, but for a 22-year-old he is adjusting, rebounding, and handling the pressure just fine.
For Asheville, Coco Montes hit his 11th home run and picked up his 81st RBI of the season while going 2-for-4 and is slashing a respectable .259/.307/.404. Ryan Feltner led the Tourists on the mound by pitching five innings of scoreless ball and striking out seven. Feltner, like Rolison, has had an up-and-down year, but appears to be back on track.
Triple-A: Sacramento River Cats 9, Albuquerque Isotopes 2
Double-A: Hartford Yard Goats 5, Altoona Curve 4
High-A: Lancaster JetHawks 4, Inland Empire 66ers 1
Low-A: Asheville Tourists 4, Augusta GreenJackets 0
Short Season-A: Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 5, Boise Hawks 3
Rookie: Orem Owlz 10, Grand Junction Rockies 8