Danielle's MLB Insider: Meet the person who kept the Rockies analytics department running
Mar. 28—Every Tuesday, Denver Gazette Rockies beat writer Danielle Allentuck takes you around Major League Baseball:
Around MLB
—The Yankees have a new shortstop. Introducing 21-year-old Anthony Volpe, who will make his debut in pinstripes on opening day.
—The following players who were with Colorado last year but were either released, traded or not re-signed are set to make an opening day roster with another team: Chad Kuhl (Nationals), Sam Hilliard (Braves), Connor Joe (Pirates) and Garrett Hampson (Marlins).
Let's catch up
—Germán Márquez will take the mound on opening day, the first Rockies pitcher to get that nod three times. Kyle Freeland will start game two and the home opener.
Germán Márquez to start for Colorado Rockies on Opening Day
—Non-roster invites Mike Moustakas, Ty Blach and Harold Castro have all been named to the Rockies' opening day roster.
Mike Moustakas, with some help from a boxing legend, makes Rockies opening day team
Roster battles
The last pitching spot looks to be all wrapped up. Gavin Hollowell was optioned to Triple-A on Monday, leaving seven relievers in major league camp. Daniel Bard, Brent Suter, Dinelson Lamet, Brad Hand, Justin Lawrence and, now, Connor Seabold are set to make up the Rockies' opening day bullpen.
Now the only question is the status of Jurickson Profar, who was still attempting to obtain a visa to come to the United States. Michael Toglia is still in major league camp and will take Profar's spot if he isn't ready.
Colorado Rockies to sign veteran outfielder Jurickson Profar
Rain, rain go away
You don't often hear the words 'San Diego' and 'chance of rain' in the same sentence. Petco Park has only had three rainouts since 2006. Hopefully Thursday doesn't get added to that list. Opening day has an 80-percent chance of rain, according to weather reports, and no one wants to start the season with a doubleheader.
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On tap:
Opening day: The Rockies open the season vs. the Padres on March 30.
Home opener: The Rockies will host the Nationals at Coors Field on April 6.
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MLB Insider: How the Rockies rebuilt their research and development department
When Brittany Haby accepted a fellowship with the Rockies back in 2018, she expected it to be a great opportunity to learn from a major league front office. Haby, a softball player through college, began her career in the NFL working with the San Francisco 49ers and NextGen Stats and was looking for a way into baseball.
The fellowship was exactly what she hoped for. Haby developed a passion for advanced scouting and was later hired full-time for that role.
Then the pandemic and its government restrictions hit. And everything changed.
