What to know about Rockies Spring Training
Spring Training will see the Rockies counting on a return to health from veteran Kris Bryant, bounce-back seasons from players all over the field, and the emergence of a strong group of prospects.
While you dream of warm weather and cacti, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
When is the first workout for pitchers and catchers?
Feb. 15.
What is the date of the first full-squad workout?
Feb. 20.
Where is the team’s facility?
Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Can fans attend workouts?
Many of the fields where the Rockies work out are accessible to fans.
Who are some new faces fans should know?
The most accomplished acquisitions are right-handed reliever Pierce Johnson, a key member of the Padres’ bullpen last postseason, and left-handed reliever Brent Suter, who has pitched important innings for the Brewers over seven seasons. Two right-handed pitchers -- Connor Seabold, who has pitched in six games with the Red Sox over two seasons, and Jeff Criswell, who last year made it to Triple-A in the Brewers' system, will have a chance to get big league footing with the Rockies.
Who are some of the top prospects invited to Major League camp?
Rockies camp will include three MLB Pipeline Top 100 Prospects selections: projected starting shortstop Ezequiel Tovar (No. 25), outfielder Zac Veen (No. 27), and catcher Drew Romo (No. 84).
Which players will be participating in the World Baseball Classic?
Rosters aren’t final, but the Rockies could send starting rotation members Kyle Freeland (USA) and Germán Márquez (Venezuela), as well as right-handed relievers Daniel Bard (USA), Justin Lawrence (Panama) and Jake Bird (Israel). Position players who might participate are Yonathan Daza (Venezuela) and Alan Trejo (Mexico).
When is the Rockies’ first Cactus League game?
Feb. 25 vs. the D-backs at Salt River Fields.
What are a few other notable spring games?
The slate in Arizona includes six night games (all times MT):
• March 6, split squad vs. Reds at Goodyear, Ariz., 6:05 p.m.
• March 14 vs. Cubs at Mesa, Ariz., 7:05 p.m.
• March 15 vs. Dodgers at Glendale, Ariz., 7:05 p.m.
• March 20 vs. Dodgers at Salt River Fields, 7:10 p.m.
• March 21 vs. Padres at Peoria, Ariz., 7:40 p.m.
• March 25 vs. Guardians at Salt River Fields, 7:10 p.m.
Will the team’s games be televised?
AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain will televise six games:
• March 4 at Mariners, 1:10 p.m.
• March 11 vs. Mariners, 1:10 p.m.
• March 18 vs. Royals at Las Vegas, 2:10 p.m.
• March 25 vs. Guardians, 7:10 p.m.
• March 26 vs. Reds, 2:10 p.m.
• March 28 vs. Brewers, 1 p.m.
On March 11, AT&T SportsNet and Root Sports will combine for an all-female broadcast for the first time. Jenny Cavnar (Rockies) will do play-by-play, with Angie Mentink (Mariners) serving as color analyst, and Jen Mueller (Mariners) and Julia Morales (Astros) operating as sideline reporters. The all-female crew will extend to behind the camera, with AT&T SportsNet’s Alison Vigil as producer and Erica Ferrero as director.
Drew Goodman will be play-by-play announcer for all the other Spring Training telecasts, with Jeff Huson and Ryan Spilborghs as analysts, Cavnar and Cory Sullivan as pregame and postgame hosts, and Kelsey Wingert and Marc Stout as sideline reporters.
When is the Rockies’ last game in Arizona?
March 28 vs. the Brewers at Salt River Fields, 1 p.m.
Will there be any additional exhibitions before the regular season?
The Rockies will send split squads to Las Vegas to play the Royals on March 18-19 as part of Big League Weekend.