This story was excerpted from Thomas Harding’s Rockies Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Most of the Rockies' enthusiasm heading into Spring Training is based on younger players who are part of the future, but there are reasons they believe 2023 can be a turnaround from last year’s fifth-place finish in the National League West. 

Here are three storylines to watch as Spring Training begins:

1. Kris Bryant’s do-over

When Colorado signed Bryant as a free agent last spring, it sent enthusiasm through the camp. It was one of the reasons third baseman Ryan McMahon and starter Kyle Freeland felt confident enough to sign long-term contracts. But a back injury in April cost Bryant the better part of two months, and a right foot injury ended his season in late July.

During the fleeting time that Bryant was present and healthy, which totaled 42 games, the Rockies’ lineup showed signs of functioning well. Colorado was 10-6 when he first went on the injured list, and he hit .341 in July before being sidelined for the rest of the season.

One theory was the quick run-up to last season, with Bryant not signing until March 18, left him playing catchup all year. But early in the offseason, manager Bud Black and general manager Bill Schmidt reported that Bryant had healed, and they expect no carryover into this season. The Rockies’ lineup is built around Bryant, a four-time All-Star.

2. Is Ezequiel Tovar the real deal?

Twice in their history, the Rockies have arrived in camp without an experienced shortstop -- but the guy who filled the position became a star. Troy Tulowitzki appeared in 25 games in 2006, then sparked a World Series run in '07 and went on to earn five All-Star nods and two Gold Gloves. Trevor Story won his spot during Spring Training in '16, then helped Colorado to two postseason berths and eventually made two All-Star appearances.

Tovar, 21, made his debut and played in nine games at the end of last season. He would have arrived earlier if not for a midsection injury that cost him more than two months. Still not fully healed, he flashed enough potential to be offered a chance to secure the regular shortstop job this spring.

3. It’s still about the starting pitching -- the main guys and the depth

The explanations for last season's struggles at the top of the rotation made sense. Freeland’s contract talks ate up the first month and were a distraction. Germán Márquez made significant changes to his pitch usage, but the shortened spring left him with less time to perfect his mix -- not to mention less time with a new pitching coach, Darryl Scott. Neither of those factors exists this year, so both are likely to regain consistency.

And that’s just the top of the rotation. Antonio Senzatela’s absence until May will increase competition. Will 2022 pickup José Ureña provide a return on the Rockies' one-year investment? Can Austin Gomber pitch more like his 2.09 Coors Field ERA in '21 and less like his 5.25 home ERA in ’22? Can Ryan Feltner continue the strides he made last season?

Also, pay particular attention to those behind the projected rotation. Colorado had little at the Triple-A level last season, and the more exciting prospects project to begin the year at Double-A and below. That means Peter Lambert and Ryan Rolison must rebound from injuries that made them non-factors in 2022, and trade pickups Connor Seabold (Red Sox) and Jeff Criswell (Athletics) must take advantage of the chance to show they are Major Leaguers.