Sleepers: Colorado Rockies
By Adam Forsyth
The Shallow
Carlos Gonzalez – Outfield (CF/RF)
Uncertainty of who was going to start the season in the Mile High city as the Rockies everyday center fielder have slowly worked themselves out through spring training. It appears that they are choosing experience over potential, as rumours have them sending both Carlos Gonzalez and Dexter Fowler off to AAA-Colorado Springs. Gonzalez was introduced to major league pitching in 2008, making 302 plate appearances in 85 games of exposure. His success was limited in batting .242 and striking out at a frequency too high (3.72AB/K) to tolerate for a player they project as a top of the order guy.
His speed wasn’t really fitting in the typically sound running game found in Oakland, as he swiped only four bags in five attempts. A shining statistic that brings solace to fantasy managers waiting for Gonzalez to flourish, as he did in his six minor league seasons, is his .313 BA with RISP. He seems to be comfortable at the plate when he is ahead in the count, which may be something that experience will settle down; however, for now the Rockies are choosing to have him play every day and grow with another year of minor league seasoning.
Still only 23-years of age, this native of Maracaibo, Venezuela is going to get his shot on a full-time basis. Partnering with our “The Deep” outfield prospect, Dexter Fowler, I imagine that the Rockies outfield will begin to flourish with production in the near future.
Let’s hope for the Rockies sake that the key ingredient to the deal for Matt Holliday bounces back and gets his career on the right path. Expect Gonzalez to be a .280 hitter, with 20/15 contributions throughout his career. Not exactly Holliday-esque; however, good enough to be a solid third of fourth outfield option in deep leagues.
The Deep
Dexter Fowler – Outfield (CF)
Drafted in the 14th round, this 6-foot, 5-inch tall, slender switch-hitting talent wasn’t exactly sure how he’d fit in the Rockies system, which was seemingly overwhelmed with outfield talent. Fortunately the Rockies have big plans for the 23-year old Georgia product. If his steady year to year improvements are any indication on his plans to make the leap to the bigs, Fowler wants to make that leap sooner than later.
A career .301 hitter, Fowler doesn’t have tremendous home run power; however, he does have a knack for legging out a lot of doubles, and has used his speed on the base paths averaging 26 swipes a season. Dexter has a great eye at the plate, and walks almost as much as he whiffs, averaging 1.7K/BB, which makes him a valuable commodity in leagues that tally OBP. It is the finer qualities like this that allow players like Fowler to be valuable components on teams, as his ability to get on base provides the opportunities to steal bases with regularity, and also puts him in position to score an abundance of runs, as he averaged nearly a run a game (.81R/GP) throughout his four years riding the buses.
Fowler is everything that the Rockies would want and more in replacing Juan Pierre, a great lead-off type hitter that can get on base, move along and can be the catalyst to an offense that could use some flair right now. If injuries or slumps persist, don’t be surprised to see the Rockies go with a youth movement, as they have some chips in place to make a move such as that. I’m a fan of Dexter, and think that with a bit more exposure, you will be as well.
