Have the Rockies Finally Found Their Third Banana?

Have the Rockies Finally Found Their Third Banana?

 

The story of the Colorado Rockies in recent years has been can Tulowitzki and CarGo stay healthy and can they find a third guy to help with the offensive burden? In 2014 they may have finally found that guy and his name is Nolan Arenado. Since coming up to the Majors Arenado has been neck and neck with Manny Machado as far as defensive proficiency at third base but his offensive prowess had yet to materialize. So far this season he is hitting .304 with 4 home runs and 16 RBI. His power is still developing but the potential is there for many 20 homer seasons. He has grown leaps and bounds as a hitter and is still improving. Being under team control gives the Rockies the promise that the future is just as bright as the present. The Rockies have been one of the bigger surprises of the young season so far thanks in large part to Tulowitzki and CarGo being healthy. They have also gotten tremendous production out of nowhere from Charlie Blackmon in the leadoff spot. He won’t be able to sustain this Human Torch run he’s on but for now the Rockies and their fans are going to enjoy the ride.

The Rockies have done a good job the last few years finding pitchers who may not be household superstar names but their stuff translates well to Coors Field. This season they did it again when they acquired Jordan Lyles from the Astros in the Dexter Fowler trade. Lyles isn’t going to be in contention for All-Star appearances or Cy Young Awards but he is just the type of pitcher who can have success in the thin air of Coors.

Right now the Rockies look like contenders due to the emergence of Blackmon and Arenado and the good health of their superstars but they need to hope those DL trips stay far away. As long as that happens, playoff baseball should be returning to Denver.