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2016 MLB season: NL West preview

By Jason Parker

Oct 13, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) throws against the New York Mets during the second inning in game four of the NLDS at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) throws against the New York Mets during the second inning in game four of the NLDS at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 25, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez (5) rounds the bases after his solo home run in the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez (5) rounds the bases after his solo home run in the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Colorado Rockies

Every division in baseball needs a team to pull up the rear and make sure that last place is firmly taken care of. For that in the NL West, let us introduce you to the 2016 Colorado Rockies…a team that has more questions than a five-year-old.

Projected lineup
SS Jose Reyes
CF Charlie Blackmon
RF Carlos Gonzalez
3B Nolan Arenado
1B Ben Paulsen
LF Gerardo Parra
C Nick Hundley
2B DJ LeMahieu

Outside of Gonzalez, this is a lineup that doesn’t strike a lot of fear in pitching staffs both inside the NL West and across all of baseball. Parra did have some good years in Arizona, but he can’t be expected to produce that way he once did.

Projected rotation
LHP Jorge De La Rosa
RHP Chad Bettis
RHP Tyler Chatwood
RHP Jordan Lyles
RHP Jon Gray

Pinning all their hopes on De La Rosa being a 25 game winner this season might be the only way this team even sniffs not having 100 wins when it’s all said and done. The lineup will benefit from the highly home run derby inside Coors Field, but the pitching staff will be giving up the runs just as much.

Projected record: 68-94

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