Previewing the 2015 Isotopes -- Middle Infield

Our preview of likely members of the 2015 Isotopes continues with a look at the middle infielders. Previously, we looked at catcher and first base.

The Rockies middle infield looks set. Troy Tulowitzki is the best shortstop in the majors, when healthy, and new general manager Jeff Bridich told our season tickets holders that he wasn't shopping Tulowitzki in a trade this offseason, as much as he was listening and building relationships with the other 29 GMs. DJ LeMahieu won a Gold Glove at second base, and while you'd like to have more offense than his .267/.315/.348 slash line, the Rockies will take it.

For the reserves, the Rockies signed playoff veteran Daniel Descalso to a two-year, $3.6 million free agent contract, after the Cardinals non-tendered him. Descalso essentially takes the place of Josh Rutledge, who was traded to the Angels for Jairo Diaz on Dec. 11. Descalso is similar to holdover Charlie Culberson as a reserve known for versatility and solid gloves, although Descalso has better offensive numbers in the majors.

Cristhian Adames

The next wave of middle infielders in the Rockies system, which we'll see in Albuquerque, is a mixture of young prospects and a notable veteran. They'll all get a look at big-league camp.

Cristhian Adames (kris-tee-YAHN ad-dah-MAZE) was promoted from double-A Tulsa to triple-A Colorado Springs in mid-July, and responded with a .338/.392/.441 slash line in 163 plate appearances. Adames then hit .353 for Toros del Este to win the batting title in the Dominican Winter League. Adames was Baseball America's #21 prospect entering the 2014 season and he'll be knocking on the door at Coors Field soon. But since he went 1-for-15 in his September callup last year and only has six weeks at triple-A, I'm projecting him to be the Isotopes starting shortstop and No.2 hitter on Opening Night. Adames can also play second base and third base, which is important when Tulowitzki is the shortstop in the majors, and I'd expect him to move around the infield.

Rafael Ynoa

Rafael Ynoa made a big impact in his debut year in the Rockies organization in 2014, following eight fairly average years in the Dodgers chain. Ynoa slashed .297/.356/.419 at Colorado Springs, his first year at triple-A, then hit a blistering .343 in 71 plate appearances for the Rockies in September. He stole 40 bases in 2010, but went just 7-for-14 last year. The switch-hitting Ynoa will remind many Isotopes fans of Elian Herrera. Entering his age-27 season, expect to see Ynoa play mostly third base and second base, along with some shortstop, and be the Topes' leadoff hitter.

Omar Quintanilla

Omar Quintanilla was signed to a minor-league contract, returning to the organization where he made his major-league debut and logged his most career games, after the last two years with the Mets. Quintanilla slashed a pedestrian .232/.271/.381 in 170 plate appearances at triple-A Las Vegas, all career-lows, so this is an important bounce-back season. This will be Quintanilla's age-33 season and could be the ninth year that he's traveled the Pacific Coast League. He was primarily a shortstop for the 51s last year, but can easily play second base and third base as well. He's insurance for the Rockies infield and I'm sure we'll see his versatility for the Isotopes.

Angelys Nina was a minor league free agent this offseason and elected to re-sign with the Rockies. After repeating at double-A Tulsa in 2013, Nina slashed .279/.321/.395 at triple-A Colorado Springs in 2014, which are almost identical to his career numbers. Nina played primarily second base last year (87 games), but also saw action at third base (seven games) and shortstop (four games). Nina's career-high in homers was 10 in 2013, but he batted fifth for the Sky Sox in all four games against the Isotopes from Aug. 20-23. He wore out Topes pitching, going 9-for-18, was robbed off another hit, and just missed a home run.

Taylor Featherston was selected by the Cubs in the Rule 5 draft, then traded to the Angels. Featherston will compete with former Rockie Josh Rutledge and Grant Green as the replacement for Howie Kendrick at second base. The Angels must keep Featherston on their 25-man roster all season or else he'll be offered back to the Rockies. Featherston had a good season at double-A Tulsa, slashing .260/.322/.439 and the Rockies sent him to the prospect-laden Arizona Fall League. It's still a huge jump to the majors. It wouldn't be too surprising if Featherston is back in the Rockies organization and we see him in Albuquerque.

Overall, expect to see a lot of Adames, Ynoa, Quintanilla and Nina all over the infield with the Isotopes. Another player who could see time in the middle infield is Tim Smalling. He's primarily a third baseman and he'll be discussed in more detail when we preview the hot corner.

Down the road

Trevor Story

Trevor Story was a supplemental first-round pick (45th overall) in 2011 out of Irving High in Texas. Story destroyed the high-A California League, slashing .322/.436/.582 for Modesto last year, but struggled after a promotion to double-A Tulsa. Story whiffed 82 times in 205 at-bats and hit .200 for the Drillers. Story was an average of 3.1 years younger than other players in the Texas League in 2014, so expect him to begin the year by repeating at double-A, which is now New Britain for the Rockies in the Eastern League. If Story adapts to that level, it's possible we'll see him with the Isotopes later in the season.

Rosell Herrera was the Rockies #3 prospect by Baseball America and 86th overall in baseball entering 2014, but slipped to #9 in 2015 after slashing .244/.302/.335 at high-A Modesto. Herrera was signed for $800,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2009 and was the MVP of the low-A South Atlantic League in 2012. Herrera is still only 22. He could be asked to repeat Modesto or get moved up to double-A New Britain. This is a big year to regain the momentum from previous seasons.

Forrest Wall was the Rockies' first-round pick last year, 35th overall, out of Orangewood Christian High in Maitland, Fla. His debut at Rookie Level Grand Junction was impressive, slashing .318/.416/.490, and he was ranked the Rockies seventh-best prospect by Baseball America. Still, his career is just getting started. He's multiple years away from playing at Isotopes Park.