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5 Biggest Colorado Rockies X-Factors Heading Into 2015 MLB Season

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5 Biggest Colorado Rockies X-Factors Heading Into 2015 MLB Season

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Third-year manager Walt Weiss could himself be considered on this list. He dropped from 74 wins in 2013 to only 66 in 2014. What's worse, the Rockies started out strong with a 16-12 record in April, averaging only 10 wins per month for the remainder of the year. In order for success to come to the Mile High City's baseball club in 2015, the skipper needs these five factors to be a big part of the picture.

5. Nolan Arenado

San Diego Padres v Colorado Rockies
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5. Nolan Arenado

San Diego Padres v Colorado Rockies
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While Arenado plays Gold Glove caliber defense, the young third baseman can also hit. No. 28 had the longest hitting streak in the league last year at, coincidentally, 28 games. He finished second on the team with a 4.1 WAR despite playing in only 111 games, so it would be nice if Arenado could top 500 ABs for the first time in his career in 2015.

4. Jorge De La Rosa

San Diego Padres v Colorado Rockies
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4. Jorge De La Rosa

San Diego Padres v Colorado Rockies
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De La Rosa is the closest the team will probably have to an ace again when Opening Day arrives. To most pitchers, pitching at Coors Field is a nightmare. But De La Rosa was actually better at home than he was on the road in 2014, with 10 wins a 3.08 ERA versus only four wins a 5.09 ERA, respectively. The Rox need his stability in road games to improve as their projected front-end starter for 2015.

3. Pitching Prospects

Colorado Rockies Photo Day
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3. Pitching Prospects

Colorado Rockies Photo Day
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De La Rosa's career ERA is 4.60, so to call him an ace is a bit of a stretch. The Rockies hope either top prospect RHP Jon Gray (pictured) or No. 2 prospect RHP Eddie Butler can develop into a future bona fide ace. Gray reached Double-A in his second minor league season last year but did not impress. Butler reached the pros but compiled a 6.75 ERA in three starts. Colorado needs both players to appear in a big way for the club in 2015.

2. Troy Tulowitzki

San Diego Padres v Colorado Rockies
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2. Troy Tulowitzki

San Diego Padres v Colorado Rockies
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Normally franchise players would not appear on a list like this, but Tulo does not carry with him the reliability or consistency of a cornerstone player because he cannot stay healthy. The Rox need 500 ABs from their All-Star shortstop, something he has accomplished only thrice since becoming a full-time player in 2007. Amidst offseason trade rumors, it will also be interesting to see how Tulowitzki's morale is on Opening Day.

1. Carlos Gonzalez

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1. Carlos Gonzalez

Chicago Cubs v Colorado Rockies
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The same point from Tulo's assessment applies to CarGo's. While Tulowitzki has appeared in 217 games over the last season, Gonzalez has played in only 180. One of the most talented outfielders in the game when he is in uniform, CarGo is coming off two surgeries in 2014 -- one on his left knee and the other for a left finger. As always, he is a medical insecurity with a new season on tap.

Jordan Wevers is a writer for RantSports.
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