Holliday and crew try to bring another year of Rocky Mountain refreshment to NL West. There’s no argument; the Colorado Rockies were the surprise of the 2007 baseball season. Going on an improbable run in September that saw them win over 20 games in a row, the Rockies surged up the National League West standings into the playoffs and eventually the World Series. Even though Colorado’s mile high run through the playoffs ended in a mountain of disappointment at the hands of the Red Sox, the Rockies have an avalanche of young talent that is here to stay.

Bats. Pound for pound, the Colorado Rockies may have the best lineup in the National League. The emergence of two unbelievable talents in Troy Tulowitzki and Matt Holliday (finally) has turned this lineup into one of the league’s most potent. All Tulowitzki did in his first major league season was rake .291 while hitting 24 home runs and driving in 99 RBI’s. Combined with his superb defensive ability, Tulowitzki was a stand out rookie and finished second to Ryan Braun in the Rookie of the Year voting. Unlike former Rockies flashes in the pan, Tulowitzki isn’t allowed to carry deer meat up stairs. He’s also not going to be given any room to slack off from his 2007 success, setting the bar high enough that he’ll be expected to perform like an all-star for seasons to come whether he likes it or not. Like Tulo, Matt Holliday had an unbelievable 2007 campaign. The runner-up in MVP voting to Jimmy Rollins hit .340 while slugging 36 home runs and driving in 137 RBI’s. In one swoop, Holliday took Todd Helton’s leader torch and ran with it to left field, carrying the burden of being the featured offensive threat in the lineup with him. Don’t expect teams to sleep on Holliday anymore; not after last year’s success and the publicity generated by it. He’s one of the most dangerous hitters in the National League and, combined with the way balls fly out of Coors Field, should put together another MVP caliber season. Speaking of Helton, the gritty first baseman returns for yet another year in Colorado. Unlike years past where Helton was rumored to be traded, he’ll remain the wily veteran in the clubhouse and come up with big hits in big moments. Helton can still play, and if he has to take you out “on a hunting trip deep in the woods” to prove it, he will. Read the rest of this entry »