With the Opening Day nod, Jimenez will have to prove he is worthy of the assignment.  U-Ball is on the verge of stardom.  He has the stuff to be one of the best pitchers in the game.  Last season, Jimenez won 15 games and had a 3.47 ERA.  Those numbers alone show how great he can be.  However, he also lost 12 games last season; a high number for a guy who wants to be the ace of the team.

This season is an important one for Jimenez.  He will lead the Rox into a season where expectations cannot be any higher.  However, he is faced with the same high expectations.  The two probably go hand-in-hand.  Colorado will go as far as the arm of Jimenez will take him.  U-Ball has finally arrived and has officially been anointed in Colorado.

This season, Corpas isn’t guaranteed to make the team out of Spring Training.  He signed a four-year, $8.025 million deal after the 2007 run but he hasn’t lived up to the hype of his rookie season. If the Rox want to return to the World Series, a healthy and efficient Corpas will go a long way in helping their odds.

When Corpas is on, his slider is deadly.  In 2007, he had 58 K’s in 78.0 innings.  The following season, before injuries brought him down, he had 50 K’s in 79.2 innings.  Corpas has the ability to strikeout foes in any situation.  However, he has to have that bite on his slider that makes batters chase the ball.

If Corpas can return to his 2007 form, the Rockies may have the deepest bullpen in the NL.  Huston Street is one of the premiere closers in the game, Rafael Betancourt is the most reliable set-up man in the game and Franklin Morales is an extremely dangerous and threatening lefty out of the ‘pen.  Corpas won’t pitch in the pressure packed late innings but he could play a key role in tight situations in the middle innings.  His development and return to prominence is one of the key things to watch this spring.

Box Score

The start to Spring Training has been good for the Rockies in terms of record.  Colorado is 3-1 after today’s victory over the Brewers.  However, not everything has been perfect.  Two of the most important projected starting pitchers have had forgettable debuts.  Two of the other projected starters have had nice debuts.  In the end, the coaches and the fans know not to take much from the first week of Spring Training game.

With that said, Dexter Fowler had himself a nice game today.  He went 2-for-3 and scored a run.  One of his hits was a double.  Ryan Spilborghs went 1-for-3 and knocked in a run.  Spilly has two doubles so far this spring.

Box Score

Colorado Rockies 7, Los Angeles Angels 5

Box Score

Jeff Francis may not have been happy with his performance on Friday.  However, as a fan, it was great to see him back on the mound.  After missing the entire 2009 season due to shoulder surgery, Francis was back where he belongs.  He surrendered four runs in two innings of work but he felt no pain after the game.

In the other game across town in Phoenix, Colorado also got mixed reviews from their other starting pitcher.  Ubaldo Jimenez gave also gave up four runs in two innings.  While excuses should not be allowed in baseball, Jimenez had a good one.  Apparently, Jimenez was struck in traffic and missed the beginning of the game.  He had to pitch in the fourth and fifth instead of the beginning of the game.

Box Score

The Rockies pounded the Diamondbacks in the first Spring Training game of the 2010 season.  While it means nothing, it’s nice to see the Rox jump out on a division rival early.  It would be really nice if it was this easy for the Rockies during the season but we know better than that.

However, the best news that came out of the game was some of the Rockies regulars had great games.  Seth Smith, competing for more playing time in the outfield, got off to a fast start at the plate.  He was a triple away from the cycle.  In terms of pitching, Jason Hammel and Jorge De La Rosa were on the mound for Colorado.  The two pitchers combined for a solid spring debut.  Overall, it was a solid start for the Rockies and a great game that they can build on.

Jason Hammel will take the mound for the Rockies and will be looking to parlay an impressive 2009 season for Colorado.  He is currently competing for the fifth spot in the rotation.  Manual Corpas will be looking to regain his 2007 magic when he was the closer for the Rockies.  Since then, Corpas has battled injuries and command issues.  Colorado is hoping he can return to his 2007 form when his slider was almost unhittable.

Melvin Mora will take the field for the first time as a member of the Rockies.  Mora will see a lot of action as the super-utility player for the Rockies this season.  Colorado will also welcome back Jay Payton.  Payton had some of his best season while playing for Colorado.  He is competing for a roster spot in a crowded outfield.

The players that will partake in the game tomorrow afternoon:

Hammel, Jorge De La Rosa, Corpas, Randy Flores, Juan Rincon, Franklin Morales, Chris Iannetta, Miguel Olivo, Wil Rosario, Paul Lo Duca, Ian Stewart, Hector Gomez, Jonathan Herrera, Mora, Mike Paulk, Omar Quintanilla, Eric Young Jr., Carlos Gonzalez, Seth Smith, Ryan Spilborghs, Payton, Cole Garner, Matt Miller.

This offseason, Street was able to focus on being the Rockies closer and nothing else.  However, reports have recently linked Street to Dr. Tony Galea.  The Toronto doctor was arrested in October for importing banned drugs and using them on his patients.

Street saw Dr. Galea while he was playing for Oakland in 2007 and 2008 for an ulnar nerve in his right elbow and a right hip flexor strain.  Street intends to cooperate fully with federal investigators during their investigation.  He has stated that his treatment was no secret and that the Athletics knew of the visits to Dr. Galea.

While the case will probably have no effect on Street, he will miss the first week of Spring Training games due to tightness in his right shoulder.  The Rockies are taking precaution and don’t want to rush their closer into anything.  They have a whole month to prepare so they will bring Street along slowly.

If the Rockies are to contend for the NL West crown this season, Street will have to match last season’s performance.  He has a solid group in front of him that should be able to bridge the gap to the ninth inning.  Street should have another career season for the Rockies.  Don’t be surprised if Street makes a push for the All-Star game this season.

Some Other Notes

• The Rockies have depth in their starting rotation.  Two pitchers are vying for a spot in the rotation.
• Jason Hammel is beginning to see all of the hard work pay off and it’s leading to his confidence rising with each day.
• My favorite thing to do is go to a game at Coors Field.  There is no experience like it.  It is a more laid back atmosphere and the weather is usually great.  Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post believes Coors is the best Denver sports venue.

• The top of the order for the Rockies this season should be solid.  They have a dynamic duo that should excite.
• Spring Training games are better than nothing.  Jason Hammel will be given the nod to start the first game of the spring for the Rockies on Thursday against Arizona.
• The Rockies best pitching prospect is looking to make the major league roster for the Rockies this spring.
• Last year’s success hasn’t affected the Rockies.  They still are a humble group who doesn’t say a lot.
• The Rockies are not going to show their hand this early in the season.  Ubaldo Jimenez won’t face the Giants in the first games of the spring.

Let’s hope Francis can build on the BP and pitch well this spring.  Colorado will rely on him to pick up the slack that was left when Jason Marquis was not resigned this offseason.