Noah Spirek | @NoahSpirek | April 4, 2024

Baseball is back! With the Rockies home opener set for tomorrow afternoon, I’ve gathered the BSB team’s picks and predictions for the upcoming year. Beginning with our Rockies-based awards and ending with our league-wide predictions, this is the official list of our takes for 2024. Buckle up!

Rockies Team MVP

Louis: Nolan Jones – I know very creative. He turned it on during the second half last season and is still getting into his groove. Not much else to say. He’s a dawg.

Tyler: Ryan McMahon – McMahon will get the benefit of the doubt as long as he’s with the Rockies. We all know the talent level is that of an All-Star but he’s yet to find season-long rhythm. Spring Training stats don’t matter but I’m really encouraged by the drastically reduced strikeout rate and think he posts a .260/.360/.450 line with 30 homers, breaking 4 WAR.

Mac: Ezequiel Tovar – The Tovar extension is a clear sign of the Rox belief in Tovar and what he can do on both sides of the ball. Expect big plays on defense and even more offensive output this year.

Isaac: Nolan Jones – Even if Jones doesn’t perform at the caliber as he did in his rookie campaign, he’s still the clear best player. A constant 20/20 threat.

Aaron: Brenton Doyle – Not in the traditional sense of MVP. His offensive output won’t be what Nolan Jones puts out there, but he will be a 20/20 guy, .250 BA, with another Gold Glove-caliber season.

James: Brendan Rodgers – Rodgers will be healthy this year and play 145+ games. He will win a Gold Glove and threaten for the batting title. The only thing that could stop this is if the Rockies are sellers at the deadline.

Luke: Nolan Jones – Arguably the most complete player on the roster… Not many elite players on the roster to threaten his run.

Noah: Ryan McMahon – I will die on this hill. RyMac has shown his top tier defense at third, and as we’ve seen, when he gets hot, he can hit 10 homers in 10 days. I like this to be the year that he puts it all together.

Rockies Cy Young

Louis: Kyle Freeland – Maybe I’m stupid for falling for it, but I truly believe that he’s in the best shape he’s ever been in as a pitcher. I think he will lead this rotation and be a fun watch. Definitely won’t beat 2018 Kyle Freeland, but he’ll have some great moments. I predict he’ll have a game where he flirts with a no hitter.

Tyler: Kyle Freeland – No other options seem legitimate to me. Freeland is throwing on average 3-4 mph harder this Spring and looks like his former self. I see a 3.50 ERA campaign on tap.

Mac: Kyle Freeland – It doesn’t feel like one last ride, but for some reason Freeland seems to be gearing up for a season of success Rockies fans witnessed many years ago. His focus and role will help him achieve this.

Isaac: Cal Quantrill – His pitching and approach against batters could really work in Colorado. That and the lack of pitching quality in the Rockies rotation makes it looks like Quantrill is the clear favorite.

Aaron: Kyle Freeland – Freeland is back baby! The uptick in velocity, the comfortability with the changeup, 2018 KFree is here.

James: Kyle Freeland – Velocity is back up for Freeland this spring. He is the best pitcher on the worst staff in baseball.

Luke: Kyle Freeland – Provides upside and usually stays healthy.

Noah: Ryan Feltner – This might be a “hot take” but I really liked the stuff last year in the limited number of games we saw Feltner. This spring, the velocity has ticked up a bit too. The Rox need someone to emerge and I think Feltner could be the guy.

Rockies Rookie of the Year

Louis: Jordan Beck – He will bring a culture to this team we have been missing. It’s fun being loved, but NL West fans will have hatred for him (the kind we as Rockies fans like). His power paired with Nolan Jones will be a fun watch.

Tyler: Anthony Molina – I’m going to play this one safe and pick a guy that’s all but set to be with the big league club all year. I don’t expect Molina’s season to be anything special but perhaps we see a sub 5.00 ERA across 80+ innings which would be promising for his chances to get a shot in the rotation next year.

Mac: Drew Romo – Elias Diaz’s best days of production may be behind him. While Stallings is a great fill for the time being, Romo will help replicate some of the offensive output that Diaz has had in years prior.

Isaac: Victor Vodnik – He has an elite fastball that will project anywhere he goes. And if he stays healthy I think he’ll be on the roster all season. He has some of the most impressive stuff in the organization, and if he puts it together at the MLB level he will be one of our best relievers.

Aaron: Hunter Goodman OR Noah Davis – Neither start the season with the squad but there will be opportunities for both to show up and show out. Goodman is going to work on staying patient and his two-strike approach with Pacheco in Triple-A. Davis is going to work on the control of his stuff. It is nasty enough to get guys out in the zone, so live in the zone.

James: Jordan Beck – Beck had a great spring. At some point, he will be called into action because of injuries or offensive inefficiency from those ahead of him. My dark horse here is Riley Pint. Pint had a great spring and if he can consistently throw strikes in Triple-A, he has the best shot of being called up in early May. The revolving door that is major league bullpens gives him an opportunity. Will he seize it? I think so. Pint could be the feel good story of the Rockies season.

Luke: Drew Romo – Could be the Rockies catcher for years to come. Has a good contact bat and some pop as well. Has one of the highest floors in the system.

Noah: Victor Vodnik – Vodnik has a great opportunity to solidify himself as a back-end setup guy for years to come in Colorado’s bullpen. Last year I loved the flashes Vodnik showed, and this year I think he is more confident and comfortable at the big league level.

Rockies Record Prediction

Louis: 73-89 – >.500 in the second half.

Tyler: 69-93

Mac: 63-99. The days of 100 losses are over.

Isaac: 69-93

Aaron: 67 – 95

James: 67-95

Luke: 67-95

Noah: 66-96 – The Rockies will not lose 10 starters due to injury this year. I honestly feel like 66 is a bit too low.

National League Most Valuable Player

Louis: Ronald Acuña Jr. – There is nothing he can’t do. Loaded Braves team means his counting stats will be crazy. This is the final year before this becomes the Ohtani award.

Tyler: Fernando Tatis Jr. – One of the best combos of power and speed in MLB and he has been an elite outfield defender since transitioning there. I see a 35/25 season and 7.5 WAR.

Mac: Manny Machado – No Soto? No problem. At 31-years-old, Machado might be poised to have his best year yet and carry the Padres out of the NL West gridlock.

Isaac: Mookie Betts – Elite baseball players win MVP. I don’t think anyone will produce at the level Mookie will.

Aaron: Mookie Betts – The best offensive player that now plays shortstop with more lineup protection.

James: Mookie Betts – Betts is the best player on the best team in baseball. Acuña is the only player not in Dodger blue on the planet that could get between Mookie and the MVP.

Luke: Ronald Acuna Jr. – Impacts the game in so many ways.

Noah: Bryce Harper – I see a huge year coming for Bryce in Philly. At some point, the Phillies will get over the hump and collect a World Series win. I think Harper powers them to contend with the Braves for the NL East title.

American League Most Valuable Player

Louis: Kyle Tucker – He was one of the best players in all of baseball in the second half of the season last year. Going into a contract season so he will have plenty of motivation to go out and put forth his best season. His durability will help his case immensely.

Tyler: Juan Soto – The Yankees finally got an elite left-handed bat to take advantage of Yankee Stadium’s short porch in right field. I expect a career-high 40 homers along with his usual elite OBP.

Mac: Julio Rodriguez – There was no sophomore slump for J-Rod last season, so expect his flare and showmanship to reach new heights for the Mariners this year.

Isaac: Luis Robert Jr – We saw what he did in his first full season, I believe he’ll expand more. Even on the lousy White Sox team.

Aaron: Kyle Tucker – He was almost a 30/30 guy last year. Nearly a 100 R/100 RBI guy. May split votes with Yordan Alvarez in the end but still a dawg.

James: Yordan Alvarez – Alvarez is a legit 60 HR threat. His plate discipline allows him to focus only on pitches where he can create maximum damage. Only question is if he can play 140+ games.

Luke: Corey Seager – Played great last season. Has tons of upside if he stays healthy.

Noah: Gunnar Henderson – I am all aboard the Orioles hype train. Henderson has all the tools, and his ability to play both SS and 3B only benefit his defensive metrics. He will be a force offensively and I expect his defensive numbers to improve too.

National League Cy Young Award

Louis: Spencer Strider

Tyler: Spencer Strider – Didn’t want to get cute here. I think it’s Strider, Wheeler, or a guy nobody is expecting from the NL. Strider looks to be one of the best strikeout pitchers of all-time in the early stages of his career and is only getting better.

Mac: Spencer Strider – Strider seemed to be poised for the Cy Young during 2023, so this could be the year he stays consistent throughout the entire year.

Isaac: Spencer Strider

Aaron: Spencer Strider – The pants are tight, so his is game. The slider is the nastiest pitch in baseball. Everyone knows it, no one can hit it.

James: Spencer Strider – Gaudy strikeout numbers put Strider in an elite position to win the NL pitching Triple Crown.

Luke: Zack Wheeler

Noah: Spencer Strider – I don’t see a world where there is another arm better than Strider in the NL.

American League Cy Young Award

Louis: Tarik Skubal – The baseball people much smarter than me love this pick so I’ll follow their word.

Tyler: George Kirby – Kirby is a traditional pitcher with modern power. He doesn’t walk anyone and strikes out a batter per inning. I expect that he really starts to dominate the league in his age-26 season. (Tempted to go with Skubal).

Mac: Tarik Skubal – Skubal had an incredibly impressive, under-the-radar, 2023 campaign. With him leading the charge for a Tigers squad where the AL Central is completely up for grabs, Skubal is in a great position for success.

Isaac: Joe Ryan

Aaron: Tarik Skubal – 3 pitch mix with a deadly changeup that is 10 mph less than FB. Insane stuff. Playing against the Central.

James: Luis Castillo – Bit of a long shot here, but Castillo’s friendly confines but him a position to win the AL ERA title.

Luke: Corbin Burnes

Noah: Corbin Burnes – Burnes moving from Milwaukee to Baltimore this off-season is a move that I don’t think has been talked about enough. His stuff is still filthy.

Divison Winners

(Formatted NL East, Central, West, AL East, Central, West)

Louis: NL: Braves, Cardinals, Dodgers. AL: Rays, Guardians, Astros

Tyler: NL: Braves, Cubs, Dodgers. AL: Orioles, Tigers, Mariners

Mac: NL: Braves, Brewers, Dodgers. AL: Orioles, Guardians, Rangers

Isaac: NL: Braves, Brewers, Dodgers. AL: Rays, Twins, Astros

Aaron: NL: Braves, Reds, Dodgers. AL: Rays, Tigers, Astros

James: NL: Braves, Reds, Dodgers. AL: Orioles, Twins, Astros

Luke: NL: Braves, Cubs, Dodgers. AL: Orioles, Guardians, Astros

Noah: NL: Braves, Reds, Dodgers. AL: Orioles, Guardians, Rangers

World Series

Louis: Atlanta Braves vs Tampa Bay Rays. Braves in 5.

Tyler: Atlanta Braves vs Seattle Mariners. Braves in 6.

Mac: Atlanta Braves vs Texas Rangers. Braves in 6.

Isaac: Philadelphia Phillies vs Houston Astros. Phillies in 6.

Aaron: Atlanta Braves vs Baltimore Orioles. Braves in 6.

James: LA Dodgers vs Baltimore Orioles. Dodgers in 5.

Luke: LA Dodgers vs Baltimore Orioles. Dodgers in 6.

Noah: LA Dodgers vs Baltimore Orioles. Dodgers in 5.

Random Hot Take

Louis: (No submission)

Tyler: The rotation is actually solid and nearly triples last year’s fWAR from starters of 3.1. I see a finish around 8 WAR from the starters with Freeland leading the way (2.8), Feltner a sneaky breakout (2.2), Quantrill solid (1.5), Gomber a bit more consistent (1.2), and Hudson a fair fifth option (0.6). The Rockies had 1 starter over 1 WAR last year (Freeland; 1.2); so this would be miles of improvement.

Mac: Brendan Rodgers and RyMac get traded to the Braves.

Isaac: Brendan Rodgers has a breakout season with the bat and is an All-Star.

Aaron: Brenton Doyle will be a 20/20 player.

James: Rockies will have 4 gold glove winners.

Luke: Victor Vodnik will pitch very well.

Noah: The Rockies pull off a four-game sweep of the Dodgers June 17-20. Be ready.

___________________

Story by Noah Spirek.