View The MLB Cappers Leaderboard For 2009 \u00a0– Picks Packages for 2010 On Sale Now! \u2014\u2013><\/strong><\/p>\n YIt\u2019s fitting that Colorado\u2019s season-by-season pattern is, well, rocky. One year they\u2019re up, the next they\u2019re down. Based on the pattern, the Rockies are due for a regression in the competitive National League West. But it\u2019s time for the trend to stop.<\/p>\n Even though Colorado or, more specifically, Coors Field is known for boosting offense, the Rockies got the job done more through pitching than hitting in 2009. They cracked the top 10 in team ERA, largely on the strength of Ubaldo Jimenez\u2019s stellar effort. Now the unquestioned ace of the staff, Jimenez has the highest average fastball velocity among major-league starting pitchers.<\/p>\n Thanks to his very legit natural ability, he\u2019s a safe bet to be a rock in the rotation yet again.<\/p>\n Colorado has other capable starters, too; Aaron Cook eats innings with the best of \u2019em and Jason Hammel, a former top prospect, has settled into a similar role. Jorge De La Rosa made major strides last season, winning 16 games and striking out 193 batters in 185 innings. He was a sparkling 10-2 after the All-Star break as well. We also can\u2019t forget about Jeff Francis, who once served as Colorado\u2019s ace and missed all of 2009 with shoulder surgery.<\/p>\n He looked healthy enough in spring; maybe he can return to form after all.<\/p>\n The Rockies\u2019 have a well-rounded lineup capable of running and hitting for power. Youngsters Carlos Gonzalez and Dexter Fowler will lead off and have tremendous upside. Fowler has major speed and the ability to hit for high average; Gonzalez\u2019s blend of power and wheels reminds me of a young Carlos Beltran.<\/p>\nMLB Team Preview \u2013 Colorado Rockies<\/h3>\n
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