DIVISIONAL OUTLOOK: NL West—Arenado makes case for 3B job

Colorado Rockies

Nolan Arenado (3B, COL) is considered the Rockies' third baseman of the future, but heading into spring training, it was widely expected he would open the season in Triple-A. He had a disappointing 2012 season in Double-A (just a .766 OPS with 12 HR in 516 at-bats). It certainly appeared that more seasoning was in order, but with four home runs already this spring, a difficult decision is looming. The Rockies will want the 21-year-old to get regular at-bats wherever he is, so if Arenado breaks camp with the Rockies, it will probably be as the starting third baseman.

Chris Nelson (3B, COL), fresh off a strong second half in which he hit .323 (with a 41% hit rate), entered camp as the likely starter at third base. With...

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