Nick Groke
The Athletic HQ
Denver, CO, United States
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Past articles by Nick:
Forfeits! More ties! Extended World Series! New (weird) ideas for MLB’s future
With the evolution of baseball in mind, here are some ideas to tweak the game — some from the past and some with an eye toward the future. → Read More
How would a Trevor Story trade to the Rangers look? Here are two hypotheticals
How would a trade for Trevor Story between the Rockies and Rangers work? Should they do it? Would they do it? Could they? → Read More
The Athletic's inaugural Denver Sports Hall of Fame
An eclectic group comprises the inaugural 45 getting our Denver Hall call. → Read More
What’s next after Nolan Arenado’s record-setting deal with the Rockies? ‘Now it’s time to make adult decisions’ – The Athletic
Arenado and the Rockies have already discussed a long-term deal, at least preliminary talks, and the club has made it clear they would like Arenado to remain in Colorado after this season. → Read More
Tony Wolters’ plate patience, Chad Bettis’ consistency lead the Rockies by the Braves in extra innings
They tried to manufacture a run by calling for Charlie Blackmon to bunt. They survived the first blown save from their high-priced new closer. They wriggled away from a runner at third base with two stellar defensive plays. And they played their first extra-inning game since 2016. → Read More
Walt Weiss returns to Colorado without much fanfare, but plenty of satisfaction with the Braves
Even if he was in a gorilla suit, you could spot Walt Weiss during batting practice. He stands with his right foot crooked and casual, leaning his hand into a bat, a natural extension of his arm. It's the posture of a man born to be around baseball. → Read More
Rockies’ Top 5 opening day games run from frigid drama to eked-out fun
The Rockies will open their 26th season Thursday at Arizona. Five openers stand out among the previous 25: → Read More
Jon Gray was named the Rockies’ opening day starter at Arizona for a reason. He set their pitching bar.
Colorado manager Bud Black on Tuesday told Gray that he will be the Rockies' leading man, the pitcher tasked with setting a bar for a five-man rotation that skews excessively young. → Read More
Ryan McMahon makes the Rockies opening day roster in a step toward the future
Rockies rookie first baseman Ryan McMahon, among the club's top prospects, hit himself onto the opening day roster, sources said Tuesday, as Colorado kickstarted its future. → Read More
Tyler Anderson readies for Rockies opening series vs. Arizona hiding out on a dusty back field
Tyler Anderson dropped a curveball on an unsuspecting minor-league prospect from the Arizona Diamondbacks on a dusty back field Sunday at Salt River Fields. He could hear it whizz. → Read More
Rockies-Diamondbacks spring round robin finally ends in a blowout, but Pat Valaika snapped a Colorado skid
Like unwanted bedfellows, the Rockies and Diamondbacks faced each other for the sixth time in a month Sunday. They familiarity bred apathy. Neither team was interested in giving the other one more chance to scout their complete staffs. → Read More
Adam Ottavino’s comeback for the Rockies runs through a little blue camera at 3,350 frames per second
Adam Ottavino does not subscribe to a pitchers shopping catalog of stuff. If he needs cuticle cream or blister glue or shoe cement, he asks for it. And for the hard to find item, he knows a guy. → Read More
Jon Gray readies for Rockies regular season with one whip through the Cubs’ lineup
MESA, Ariz. — Jon Gray picked off Kris Bryant and whiffed Anthony Rizzo in the first inning Saturday at Sloan Park. Then he really excelled. The Rockies right-hander, the pitcher atop their rotation, zipped through three innings against the Chicago Cubs in a final spring tuneup. Gray faced the minimum and saw the Cubs lineup once through in three innings. He gave up one hit, a single up the… → Read More
2018 Colorado Rockies roster breakdown: The stats and names that matter for opening day
The Rockies enter 2018 with postseason aspirations and a roster of young prospects mixed with established veteran stars. Here's a position and key stat breakdown of Colorado's likely starting rotation, bullpen, lineup and bench players. → Read More
Q&A: Charlie Blackmon on the problem with park-adjusted numbers, Statcast and the Rockies’ outfield
Charlie Blackmon has a particularly keen interest in what advanced stats and sabermetrics say about him as a defender -- especially playing at Coors Field. → Read More
Carlos Gonzalez nearing a deal with the Rockies as Colorado’s clubhouse delights in the slugger’s return
If Gonzalez signs, it likely means the Rockies will revert to a familiar lineup. → Read More
Shohei Ohtani brought a six-man rotation to the Angels. Would it work for the Colorado Rockies?
Fans flocked to Diablo Stadium through the first few weeks of spring training here looking for a glimpse of the major league's newest international star. Even if they only found his face on souvenir shop trinkets, Shohei Otani is already leaving his mark on the game. → Read More
Rockies are suddenly searching for utility infielders after injuries to Pat Valaika and Shawn O’Malley
The Rockies are suddenly searching for utility infielders after learning Saturday they will be without two of them. → Read More
Rockies need a true base-stealer. But speedy Raimel Tapia is still figuring it out. So what next?
Only seven players have attempted to steal a base through the Rockies first seven spring games and three have been caught. But only Tapia has been nabbed more than once. He can't quite get to second base. → Read More
MLB made a big change to its rules to speed up games. Players are dubious. The Rockies will have to adjust.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Bud Black loves baseball for the the space between action, the beats and pauses where strategy becomes paramount. The Rockies' manager uses that time to, at times, alter the course of a game. → Read More