5 Colorado Rockies Who Need To Stay Healthy In 2016

By Bryan Zarpentine

The Colorado Rockies have an uphill battle if they hope to compete in the NL West in 2016. The first step toward having a shot at a postseason berth this season is staying healthy. Colorado has plenty of talent on their roster, but they are lacking in depth and are going to need all hands on deck if they’re going to make the trek from worst to first in the division. Here are five players the Rockies need to have stay healthy in 2016.

5 Colorado Rockies Who Need To Stay Healthy In 2016

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Jorge De La Rosa — The Rockies don't exactly have a stellar rotation compared to the rest of the NL West, but De La Rosa is their top starter so they need him to stay healthy. De La Rosa has given the Rockies 39 wins over the last three seasons, but he's nearly 35, so he's at the age where health can be a huge concern. If De La Rosa can't stay healthy and remain Colorado's ace this year, they'll be in trouble.

Charlie Blackmon — Blackmon has become one of Colorado's most consistent hitters over the past couple of seasons, and while they could easily shift Gerardo Parra over to center field, the Rockies don't have great depth in their outfield. It'll be another year or two until Colorado's top outfield prospects are ready for the big leagues, so losing Blackmon to injury in 2016 would hurt what is an otherwise promising Rockies outfield.

Nick Hundley — Like most teams, the Rockies don't have a lot of quality depth behind the plate. Add in the fact that Hundley is coming off a career year, and he becomes almost indispensable. After an .807 OPS in 2015, the Rockies are relying on him to be a key part of their lineup again in 2016. It's possible that Tom Murphy could finally emerge as Colorado's catcher of the future if given the chance, but the Rockies would prefer Hundley to be their primary catcher in 2016 and repeat his performance from last season.

Carlos Gonzalez — There's no way the Rockies could ever replace the 40 home runs they got from Gonzalez last season if he were to succumb to injury. There were obvious concerns about Gonzalez after his 2014 season, but last year proved that he's still a difference maker and a player the Rockies need. Of course, there's always a chance that Colorado shops him again mid-season, but for that to happen, he'll have to stay healthy.

Nolan Arenado — Arenado appears to have surpassed Gonzalez as Colorado's most important player. He is one of the preeminent third basemen both offensively and defensively in baseball, and the Rockies have no hope of replacing him if he were to get hurt. Even if Arenado replicates the 42 home runs, 43 doubles and 130 RBIs he hit in 2015, the Rockies will have a hard time competing; but without him, it'll be next to impossible.

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