Uncustomed Heroes of 2022: Rockies

 

The Colorado Rockies being the surprise winner in the Kris Bryant race and then only getting 42 games out of him...figures.

The Rockies have been losing more and more of what made them fun in the past, as Jon Gray, Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story have all left. Two people in this post have already left also. The Rox, at the same time, have been trying to build a somewhat impressive team, and have Brendan Rodgers, Ryan McMahon and C.J. Cron at the ready for the near future. They are...trying to be good, but are in the wrong division to truly compete, as the Dodgers, Padres, Giants and D-Backs are also building themselves up next year. So the Rockies may just have some more years like 2022, where...they were alright, but ultimately finished in last. 

On one hand, the Rockies got decent years out of Kyle Freeland, Chad Kuhl and German Marquez. On the other hand, they got a disappointing year out of Antonio Senzatela. Senza went 3-7 with a 5.07 ERA and a 1.690 WHIP. He's still a decent innings eater, but they only got 19 games out of him this year.

2023 Prediction: It will be his age-28 season, so I'm guessing he has the ASG-worthy season he should have been rewarded for in 2020.

Connor Joe is just a fun player. Toils around the minors for a few years, gets his chance with Colorado and becomes a fan favorite. He got a full year as a lineup piece this year, and in 111 games he hit .237 with 96 hits and 28 RBIs. Not as productive as last year, but still fun in a pinch.

2023 Prediction: Joe will be among many people vying for a DH/bat position in Pittsburgh. I think he gets some time in the OF and does relatively well, but maybe not as well as in Denver.

Elias Diaz has been signed until 2024 to catch for the Rockies. Diaz is...a serviceable catcher. His defensive numbers went a bit downhill this year, and he only hit .228 this year. But with Dom Nunez out of the picture and Brian Serven looking like a backup, Diaz just seems like he's gonna be the guy, good or no, going forward.

2023 Prediction: I'm gonna get to next December and have to do a custom of this guy and that'll have been the first time I've heard anything about him since now.

And while he'd been a big piece for the Rockies in years past, Garrett Hampson began to fall out of favor with the team this year. After a career year in 2021, Hampson only hit .211 with 42 hits in 90 games. With Alan Trejo and Elehuris Montero in the picture now doing amusing utility things, it doesn't shock me that the Rockies let him go.

2023 Prediction: I'd say that Hampson will have to compete with Jon Berti and Joey Wendle in similar middle infield roles, but I think the Marlins are trying to trade Wendle, so maybe he'll be useful.

Coming Tomorrow- I have a surprising amount of Royals actually.