2023 Colorado Rockies preview: Introducing the newest Colorado Rockies
Matt York
After a quiet offseason in LoDo, the 2023 Rockies look a lot like the 2022 Rockies.
There was no big addition such as Kris Bryant, but there are still plenty of new faces that will contribute to the Rockies. Here are the eight:
Harold Castro, INF
Colorado Rockies' Harold Castro bats during a spring training baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Scottsdale, Ariz., Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley Landis
Colorado Rockies’ Harold Castro bats during a spring training baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Scottsdale, Ariz., Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
MLB experience: Tigers (2018-22)
Best season: 2022 (.271 batting average, 7 home runs, 47 RBI, 98 OPS+)
How he got here: Free-agent signing
Rockies role: Bench utility infielder
Analysis: After spending over a decade in the Tigers organization, Castro has hit his way onto the Rockies’ opening day roster. Known by Detroit fans as “Hittin’ Harold,” expect the 29-year-old from Venezuela to get opportunities all over the diamond early this season.
Brad Hand, RHP
FILE - Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Brad Hand works during the eighth inning in Game 2 of baseball's World Series against the Houston Astros, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Houston. Reliever Brad Hand is guaranteed $2 milllion in his one-year contract with the Colorado Rockies and the three-time All-Star would make $11.5 million over two years if he starts this season in the major leagues and pitches at least 60 games annually. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
David J. Phillip
FILE – Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Brad Hand works during the eighth inning in Game 2 of baseball’s World Series against the Houston Astros, Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022, in Houston. Reliever Brad Hand is guaranteed $2 milllion in his one-year contract with the Colorado Rockies and the three-time All-Star would make $11.5 million over two years if he starts this season in the major leagues and pitches at least 60 games annually. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
MLB experience: Marlins (2011-15), Padres (2016-18), Guardians (2018-20), Nationals (2021), Mets (2021), Blue Jays (2021), Phillies (2022)
Best season: 2018 (2-5, 2.75 ERA, 32 saves, 106 strikeouts, All-Star)
How he got here: Free-agent signing
Rockies role: Middle relief
Analysis: Hand appeared close to the end of his career after bouncing between three teams in 2021, but he rebounded in 2022 with a solid year on a Phillies team that won the National League pennant. He’s not the pitcher he was as a three-time All-Star, but he will be used by Bud Black in the middle innings.
Pierce Johnson, RHP
MLB experience: Cubs (2017), Giants (2018), NPB Hanshin Tigers (2019), Padres (2020-22)
Best season: 2020 (3-1, 2.70 ERA, 27 strikeouts in 20 innings)
How he got here: Free-agent signing
Rockies role: Middle relief
Analysis: After a rough start to his career, Johnson, a local product out of Faith Christian Academy in Arvada, went to Japan for a year and was an NPB All-Star. He followed that up with a solid year for the Padres during the shortened 2020 season, but hasn’t been the same since. He missed much of last year with an elbow injury but did provide San Diego with three scoreless outings in the postseason.
Nolan Jones, UTIL
This is a 2023 photo of Nolan Jones of the Colorado Rockies baseball team. This image reflects the Colorado Rockies active roster as of Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, when this image was taken in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Matt York
This is a 2023 photo of Nolan Jones of the Colorado Rockies baseball team. This image reflects the Colorado Rockies active roster as of Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, when this image was taken in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
MLB experience: Guardians (2022)
Best season: 2022 (.244 batting average, 2 home runs, 13 RBI, 96 OPS+)
How he got here: Trade
Rockies role: Everyday AAA player
Analysis: Despite the fact that he will start the year in Albuquerque, it’s reasonable to expect Jones to be in Denver for at least parts of the 2023 season. The Rockies acquired the former second-round pick and top Guardians prospect in a buy-low move that could see Jones hit his way into a spot in the lineup due to his power.
Mike Moustakas, INF
Cincinnati Reds' Mike Moustakas gestures to fans as he runs the bases on a home run during the second inning of the team's baseball game against the New York Yankees on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Frank Franklin II
Cincinnati Reds’ Mike Moustakas gestures to fans as he runs the bases on a home run during the second inning of the team’s baseball game against the New York Yankees on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
MLB experience: Royals (2011-28), Brewers (2018-19), Reds (2020-22)
Best season: 2017 (.272 batting average, 38 home runs, 85 RBI, 117 OPTS+, All-Star)
How he got here: Free-agent signing
Rockies role: Third base platoon with Elehuris Montero
Analysis: Once a World Series hero for the Royals, Moustakas isn’t the same player he was even as recently as 2019 when he was an All-Star for the third time. He struggled in the last three seasons with the Reds, hitting .216 with 74 homers in 184 games. He’s hit well this spring and should split time at third base with Elehuris Montero.
Jurickson Profar, LF
San Diego Padres Jurickson Profar reacts as he rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the New York Mets during the fifth inning of Game 1 of a National League wild-card baseball playoff series, Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
John Minchillo
San Diego Padres Jurickson Profar reacts as he rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the New York Mets during the fifth inning of Game 1 of a National League wild-card baseball playoff series, Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
MLB experience: Rangers (2012-18), Athletics (2019), Padres (2020-22)
Best season: 2018 (.254 batting average, 20 home runs, 77 RBI, 107 OPS+)
How he got here: Free-agent signing
Rockies role: Everyday position player
Analysis: Once Profar is able to join the team, he figures to be a fixture near the top of the Rockies lineup. He should be the team’s everyday left fielder, shifting Bryant to right.
Connor Seabold, RHP
This is a 2023 photo of Connor Seabold of the Colorado Rockies baseball team. This image reflects the Colorado Rockies active roster as of Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, when this image was taken in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
Matt York
This is a 2023 photo of Connor Seabold of the Colorado Rockies baseball team. This image reflects the Colorado Rockies active roster as of Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, when this image was taken in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)
MLB experience: Red Sox (2021-22)
Best season: 2022 (0-4, 11.29 ERA, 5 games started, 19 strikeouts in 18.1 innings)
How he got here: Trade
Rockies role: Long relief
Analysis: Once a third-round pick by the Phillies, Seabold failed to catch on with the Red Sox after being traded in the shortened 2020 season. He appears to be set for mop-up duty in Colorado.
Brent Suter, LHP
Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Brent Suter (39) throws during a spring training baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Scottsdale, Ariz., Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Ashley Landis
Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Brent Suter (39) throws during a spring training baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Scottsdale, Ariz., Sunday, March 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
MLB experience: Brewers (2016-22)
Best season: 2021 (12-5, 3.07 ERA, 1 save, 69 strikeouts in 73.1 innings)
How he got here: Waiver claim
Rockies role: Late-innings reliever
Analysis: After spending the entirety of his MLB career in Milwaukee, Suter now has a fresh start in Denver where he should get plenty of opportunities to prove he’s a quality big-league reliever. He could be a piece the Rockies move at the deadline should he have a strong first half.