We’re getting closer to seeing spring training baseball, but sooner or later, Opening Day will be here, and this is the first month we will see baseball. While there are plenty of great free agents who are still waiting to be signed, the Colorado Rockies will look to roll out their season with a young and fresh group of eager players. Colorado has four prospects on the MLB’s Top 100 List. Two of these prospects could make their debut at some point in 2024. With 2016 National League MVP Kris Bryant leading this squad, they’ll try to steer far away from another 100-plus loss season. It’s going to be interesting to see how this season plays out for the Rockies, especially in a very tough, competitive NL West division.
Let’s take a look at a projected Opening Day lineup for the 2024 Rockies.
Projected 2024 Rockies Lineup
- Charlie Blackmon (DH)
- Ezequiel Tovar (SS)
- Nolan Jones (OF)
- Kris Bryant (OF)
- Ryan McMahon (3B)
- Brendan Rodgers (2B)
- Hunter Goodman (1B)
- Elias Diaz (C)
- Brenton Doyle (OF)
Charlie Blackmon
The long-time outfielder spent all of his 13 MLB seasons with the Rockies. He’s been elected to four all-star games and has won two Silver Slugger Awards. In 2017, Blackmon led the National League in triples and was the batting champion. At 37 years old, Charlie will provide the 2024 Rockies as the leadoff hitter. While only playing in 96 games during 2023, Blackmon still recorded 100 hits with a .279 batting average. Besides the shortened 2020 season, the two-time Silver Slugger hasn’t had a 100-plus hit season since 2013. Charlie Blackmon may not be the same as he was in his prime, but he will undoubtedly be of enormous importance at the leadoff spot.
Ezequiel Tovar
Ezequiel Tovar is entering his sophomore season with the Rockies. He only appeared in nine games during the 2022 season but played in 153 last year. Tovar had 147 hits with 15 home runs and 73 runs batted in. Now, with a full year under his belt, Colorado hopes Ezequiel makes another leap. He struck out over 160 times, so a big priority for the young shortstop is to find better pitches to swing at. Tovar slugged .408 with a batting average of .253. Ezequiel can do some damage at that second spot in the lineup. Colorado will have to see how much the young shortstop has improved on his game.
Nolan Jones
The 25-year-old outfielder made his MLB debut with the Cleveland Guardians in 2022. During the offseason, however, he was traded to Colorado in exchange for prospect Juan Brito. In his first season with the Rockies, Jones put up over 100 hits with 20 home runs and 62 runs batted in. He also had a batting average of .297 and a slugging percentage of .542. Colorado will depend on the success and enhancement of Jones’s play. Last season, he finished fourth in the National League Rookie of the Year voting. Nolan has a bright future ahead of him, but he must put the team first and help the Rockies reach the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
Kris Bryant
The 2016 NL MVP is the undisputed leader of the 2024 Rockies. Recently, he vowed that better days are ahead for not only himself, after two disappointing seasons, but for the Colorado Rockies as well. Bryant is in his prime at 32 years of age. They need their leader to find his rhythm like in his early days as a Chicago Cub. Kris Bryant has the experience, the knowledge, and the leadership to take this Rockies team back to the playoffs. The big question is, will it be this season?
Ryan McMahon
McMahon has found his groove in the last few seasons. Besides the 2020 season, the Rockies third baseman has hit 20 or more home runs the past four seasons. He’ll be looking to do the same thing this year with the Rockies. Ryan has played in 150 games and recorded 130-plus hits in the past three seasons. Hopefully, we can see Ryan McMahon provide some additional offense as he’s entered his prime at 29 years old. McMahon has been big for the Rockies offense the last couple of years, but he will need to have what it takes and then some to make this team unique.
Brendan Rodgers
2022 Gold Glove Award-winning second baseman Brendan Rodgers was on the right track in terms of elevating his career. Rodgers was consistently getting better at his craft year in and year out, but last season was unfortunate. During last year’s Spring Training, Rodgers dislocated his left shoulder and only appeared in 46 regular season games. In 2022, Brendan recorded 140 hits, with 63 runs batted in. Batting in the sixth spot, he will have to provide offense whenever Kris Bryant or Ryan McMahon have failed and spark the bottom half of the lineup in big-time situations. Rodgers will aim to win his second Gold Glove with the 2024 Rockies.
Hunter Goodman
Rockies infielder/catcher Hunter Goodman will get a taste of the big leagues as he enters his first season with the club. The 24-year-old played appeared in just 23 games with the Rockies last season. In 70 at-bats, he recorded 14 hits, one home run, and 17 runs batted in with a .200 batting average. The 2024 Rockies will motivate Goodman and try to give him a promising rookie season. Colorado Rockies fans are hoping Hunter can exceed expectations and revive this team from their playoff drought.
Elias Diaz
After a rough start to his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, catcher Elias Diaz has revived his career with the Colorado Rockies. Last season, Diaz made his first all-star game. He hit the game-winning home run for the National League in the eighth inning and was named the 2023 All-Star Game MVP. Elias posted 130 hits, 14 home runs, and 72 runs batted in during the 2023 season. He could have another All-Star season for the second straight year.
Brenton Doyle
Another promising young player for this Rockies team, Brenton Doyle, will look to take the next steps in his young career. He played in 126 games with Colorado during his rookie season. With a .203 batting average, Doyle posted 81 hits, ten home runs, 48 RBI and 22 stolen bases. If he gets on base, expect Doyle to his total from last season, as he hopes to create a lot of run opportunities for his teammates. As the ninth and final batter in the lineup, Doyle will be expected to spark some offense when needed or help drive some runs to the plate. Doyle’s career could be impacted positively if he produces at the ninth spot.
Photo Credit: © Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
