Draft preview: Colorado Rockies outlook

Team-by-team outlooks

The Rockies have been one of the best teams in Fantasy at providing us with rookies with big upside the past few years. Now, they have some of our favorite categories of players reaching or thriving in their prime.

Third-year starting pitchers (Jeff Francis), 27-year-olds (Garrett Atkins, Matt Holliday and Brad Hawpe) and an injury-risk sleeper (Brian Lawrence). Oh, and the slew of first-year starters and Rookie of the Year candidates are still mixed in: Troy Tulowitzki, Chris Iannetta, Jeff Baker and perhaps Jason Hirsh.

Atkins and Holliday are already Fantasy superstars sure to fly off the board in early rounds, but a few of the others above will be following suit this season in some way, if not to the level we saw from those two 2006 breakout players.

Spring position battles

Starting pitchers Nos. 3-5 -- Brian Lawrence, Rodrigo Lopez and Byung-Hyun Kim vs. Jason Hirsh, Josh Fogg, Taylor Buchholz and Denny Bautista

These options might not thrill you -- especially because they will pitch half of their games in the mile-high air -- but the Rockies have something they haven't had in years ... strike that ... something they have never had: strength in numbers. Lawrence is coming off surgery on a torn labrum, but he has a spot, if healthy. Lopez has the most experience of this group, while the big-time pitching prospect Hirsh has the most potential. All of the Rockies' back-end starters are nothing more than NL-only options on Draft Day, but that's far better than what we had to say about their options in the past. By the way, if Hirsh pitches his way into the rotation, you will want to consider him in mixed leagues. That's a big-time talent who was dominating Triple-A at the rate Cole Hamels, Jered Weaver and Jeremy Sowers were last season.

Right field -- Brad Hawpe vs. Jeff Baker

This is one of the most interesting battles to watch in spring training, because these are two potential mashers for any Fantasy roster this season. Hawpe is clearly the favorite because of his experience, but Baker terrorized the NL last September and certainly can take some at-bats from the lefty Hawpe. If a platoon results, Hawpe should get most of the at-bats in right, but Baker will also be spelling Todd Helton at first against some select lefties or in day games after night games. Baker's versatility could have him fill in for Holliday in left and Atkins at third, too. Consider the 27-year-old Hawpe a sleeper candidate for mixed leagues and look to Baker as a flier in deeper leagues.

Catcher -- Chris Iannetta vs. Javy Lopez and Yorvit Torrealba

This is a classic battle of the future at the catcher position for the Rockies against a one-time Fantasy MVP in Lopez. Coors Field is an ideal park for a slugger like Lopez, but we have no confidence in him being a regular catcher. Iannetta might not win the job outright, but his presence will make Lopez nothing more than a deeper NL-only option. Iannetta is one of our top 10 rookies to target on Draft Day and makes for a great pick with upside.

Shortstop -- Troy Tulowitzki vs. Clint Barmes

You wouldn't have thought this would be a position battle this spring, but the Rockies said recently Barmes will have an equal shot at beating out the top prospect. It's surprising to us, but it will only matter if the first-half 2005 Barmes shows up to camp this spring. He was cruising to NL Rookie of the Year honors before falling down a flight of stairs. Tulo should win the job, but you have to temper your willingness to pay top dollar until he officially is named the everyday shortstop. Tulo has solid run production potential in the mold of a Khalil Greene and Bobby Crosby, but you will have to pick those two 27-year-olds before taking the chance on a rookie at this point.

Second base -- Kaz Matsui vs. Jamey Carroll and Clint Barmes

Barmes' competing for the shortstop job likely rules him out of the second-base hunt now, unfortunately. Matsui found himself in his brief audition late last year, while Carroll had a career year that makes you think perhaps he's not a career utility man. Nope. He is, we say. Matsui is this one we would take a flier on in deeper leagues, because he trumps Carroll in the important Fantasy categories of double-digit homer and steals potential. Until Carroll's five homers last season, we might not have thought he would reach double-digit homers for his career. Players who rely solely on their batting average are not safe picks in Fantasy.

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