Colorado Rockies positional battles: There are numerous moving items in the o...

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The Mountain ranges have actually had a rough spring training until now,  shedding Brendan Rodgers,  Lucas Gilbreath and also Sean Bouchard to injuries. The last one,  particularly,  throws a wrench into the Mountain ranges' outfield strategies. Nonetheless,  even before that,  there had not been a well-defined solution as to who would certainly play in the Rockies' outfield in 2023. Below is my ideal hunch as to who will certainly play where.Current StartersComing right into the season,  it resembled it would certainly be Randal Grichuk,  Charlie Blackmon and Kris Bryant in the outfield. Yonathan Daza as well as Sean Bouchard seemed on the outside looking in. However,  Grichuk had surgical procedure for a sports hernia throughout the offseason,  which will likely postpone the begin of his period. Bouchard burst his left biceps,  which might finish his season prior to it even starts,  and also Charlie Blackmon stressed his back during the first inning of Friday's game. That leaves us with Bryant as well as Daza as the presently healthy outfield starters.Potential BackupsAs I mentioned,  Bryant and also Daza are the only healthy outfield beginners today. However,  with Bouchard likely out for the season,  Grichuk out for the beginning (and that knows how a lot longer) and an aging Charlie Blackmon (who is also harmed for the direct future,  as well as maybe better fit for the DH position),  there are a few other alternatives that require to be checked out for the time being.The most likely initial option is Michael Toglia (No. 13 PuRP),  who was drafted as a very first baseman in the first round of the 2019 draft from UCLA. He made his MLB debut last season and went.216/.275/.378 in 32 games with the Rockies. He played 15 of those video games (13 beginning) initially base,  and also 17 in right field. Regardless of his up-and-down novice period,  Toglia appears better-suited for initial base,  however the switch-hitter is certainly a choice as a fourth or fifth outfielder.Depth OptionsWhile Toglia is the likely 4th outfielder,  there are a couple of youngsters knocking on the door right behind him.Brenton Doyle (No. 17 PuRP) seems the most likely initial option. The 24-year-old from Shepherd University profiles likewise to Sam Hilliard-- he's both enormous and athletic,  but likewise seems a little a 3 Real End result player. In 123 games with the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats,  Doyle hit.246/.287/.450 Guardians Store,  and also upon his promo to Triple-A Albuquerque for simply nine games,  he hit.389/.463/.778 with 6 extra-base hits. Thus far in springtime training,  he has actually struck.269/.345/.308 in 26 at-bats. He has set out 11 times and strolled three times,  yet has actually also stolen three bases.Nolan Jones is another possible choice. The 24-year-old outfielder was gotten from the Cleveland Guardians in the offseason where he played both ideal area and DH. He additionally has the advantage of being a left-handed player,  which the Rockies desperately need. Nonetheless,  as Skyler Timmins noted in his third base account,  Jones is an all-natural third baseman. He requires to locate some rhythm and also groove in his bat while lowering his strikeouts before he is seriously considered for a duty on the MLB team.Finally,  maybe the most luring option is Zac Veen (No. 2 PuRP). The 21-year-old has actually burst out over the in 2015 as well as doesn't seem slowing down anytime soon. In springtime training,  he has struck.300/.344/.467 in 30 at-bats with 7 taken bases. In 2022,  Veen split his time between High-A Spokane and Double-A Hartford. He also had a stint in the Arizona Fall Organization. He tore through High-A,  thus the promo and also Futures Video game appearance,  as well as did struggle in Double-A a bit. But his.333 average ranked him 2nd on the Salt River Rafters,  and also he virtually increased his following competition with 16 swiped bases. (Masyn Winn had 9.) There have been numerous attempts to define Veen's eagerness on the bases,  but The Athletic's Zach Buchanan takes the cake,  in my opinion. Veen will likely begin the year duplicating Double-A,  but if the Mountain ranges are struggling,  it's fairly possible that he may make his MLB launching before his 22nd birthday.On the FarmThe Mountain ranges farm system has a number of outfielders: Triple-A: Bret Boswell,  Jimmy Herron,  Cole TuckerDouble-A: Niko Decolati,  Casey Golden,  Jameson Hannah,  Daniel Montano,  Zac Veen (No. 2 PuRP) High-A: Cuba Bess,  Robby Martin Jr.,  Benny Montgomery (No. 5 PuRP),  Bladimir Restituyo,  Yorvis Torrealba,  Braiden WardLow-A: EJ Andrews Jr.,  Jordan Beck (No. 9 PuRP),  Yanquiel Fernandez (No. 12 PuRP),  Zach Kokoska,  Sterlin Thompson (No. 14 PuRP) As discussed,  the Mountain ranges do have a number of outfielders. However,  numerous of them are around High-An and Double-A. Brenton Doyle would likely obtain the call-up before Zac Veen,  but perhaps the Rockies would certainly rely on Cole tucker as a result of his "seasoned status" or perhaps Bret Boswell.In ClosingThe Mountain ranges have a great deal of outfield options. One may even state they have way too many (and they will likely play the vets). My guess is they'll play Blackmon,  Grichuk as well as Bryant once they're all healthy (presently just Bryant). Past that-- will they opt for the "professional" Yonathan Daza,  or will they select a young people movement of Brenton Doyle and/or Zac Veen? Song in to discover!