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Triple figures in losses were thought to be impossible for a team that plays at Coors Field, but that proved wrong. Starting pitching injuries marred the season early, and trades that took away experience assured the 59-103 finish.

Unless trades or free-agency expenditures bring in pitching, the depth issues of this year will persist. 

But expect the Rockies to keep introducing younger players into their mix that they believe will lead to a better future. Even the one-year contract extension to Charlie Blackmon shouldn’t disrupt the process, since some of the top outfield prospects don’t project to be ready when 2024 starts.

Defining moment: During Spring Training, manager Bud Black had a meeting with starting pitchers, who had, to a man, underachieved in 2022. The resolve was to be productive in ‘23. A month in, that goal became an impossible dream.

Righty and 2021 All-Star Germán Márquez had missed two starts with right forearm inflammation when he took the mound on April 26 in Cleveland. After a fourth-inning pitch, Márquez walked behind the mound and squatted despairingly, having felt the injury that would lead to Tommy John right elbow surgery.

It was only the start of rotation injury misery.

Two weeks after the Márquez injury, Antonio Senzatela sustained the same injury and would have his own Tommy John surgery. Expect Márquez back after the All-Star break and Senzatela sometime in August in 2024.

Nine days after Senzatela was hurt, Ryan Feltner took a line drive off the head from the Phillies’ Nick Castellanos and sustained a fractured skull that cost him four months.

What we learned: A turnover to younger players can be exciting during a painful season. 

Shortstop Ezequiel Tovar started from Opening Day, Nolan Jones arrived in late May and by the final two months was the team’s brightest star. Brenton Doyle arrived in late April and by season’s end was the statistical favorite to National League fielding awards.

Rough patches could lead to something special. In the beginning, Elehuris Montero struggled defensively as the Opening Day starter at third base and lost confidence offensively. When he returned from Triple-A the final time, he found his swing, and played serviceable first base.

Projected closer Daniel Bard’s season of injuries and ineffectiveness, and trades that removed veterans Pierce Johnson and Brad Hand from the bullpen, forced right-handers Jake Bird and Justin Lawrence into greater responsibilities. Both pitched well and struggled late, but the Rockies believe the experience will make them better.

Best development: The Rockies quietly fashioned a strong defense, with the aforementioned Doyle, Tovar and Jones, 2022 Gold Glove-winning second baseman Brendan Rodgers (who missed much of the year with a dislocated left shoulder), third baseman Ryan McMahon (who should be a Gold Glove finalist for a third straight year) and catcher and All-Star Game MVP Elias Díaz.

Area for improvement: Starting pitching tops the list, but 1A is Kris Bryant, who will have to stay healthy after being limited to 42 games last year and 80 this year -- the first two of a seven-year, $182 million contract. 

On the rise: Strangely, three pitchers who logged innings this year are candidates for better work in 2024. 

Lefty Kyle Freeland dealt with a velocity drop, some misplaced pitches, and a 3.64 run support average. But he found exercises to strengthen his arm, and discovered an adjustment to help his changeup.

Lefty Austin Gomber was bad in the beginning, but found confidence and fastball consistency for a much stronger middle -- until a back problem reduced his effectiveness and ended his season.

Righty Peter Lambert finally regained health after 2020 Tommy John surgery, and displayed a diverse pitch mix.

Team MVP: The best part is it came down to two rookies.

Tovar led the team in hits (147), doubles (37) and RBIs (73). But Jones’ 20-homer, 20-steal season with a .931 OPS and 19 outfield assists -- in just 106 games -- earn him this designation.