There is a sense of familiarity to the Rockies this season.

The Rockies can only hope that there is a familiar ending.

The Rockies start the season with a 25-man roster that includes 21 players who played a role a year ago in helping the team win the first National League pennant in franchise history. And 15 of the 25 players are products of the Rockies system.

The only new face in the starting lineup is second baseman Jayson Nix, the Rockies' top draft pick in 2001 and the only rookie on the season-opening roster. The only other position player who is new to the roster is backup outfielder Scott Podsednik, the catalyst to the 2005 champion Chicago White Sox roster who battled leg injuries the past two seasons.

The bullpen showed the most change of any area. While all five members of the rotation were a part of the Rockies' September surge, three of the bullpen members are new to the organization, including left- hander Micah Bowie, who, like Podsednik, signed a minor league contract during the offseason.

Right-handers Luis Vizcaino (two years, $7.5 million) and Kip Wells ($3.1 million, one-year deal) were the Rockies' two free-agent signings of the offseason.

LINEUP

The Rockies aren't as quick, but they expect to have more run production than a year ago. Gone is second baseman Kazuo Matsui, leaving center fielder Willy Taveras and his backup, Scott Podsednik, as the only base-stealing threats on the roster.

There is plenty of thunder, though, behind Taveras' lightning-quick speed at the top of the lineup. Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki moved into the No. 2 slot, giving the Rockies 25-home-run-plus potential from each batter in the No. 2 through 6 spots.

Rockies manager Clint Hurdle did make one significant change, swapping lineup spots for Todd Helton, who moves into the No. 3 spot, and Matt Holliday, who will hit cleanup. Helton led the team with a .434 on-base percentage last year and ranked second in the NL in intentional walks. Just as important to Hurdle is the challenge the new lineup will present managers in late innings. Now, if a manager wants to bring in a left-hander to face Helton, the left-hander will have to face Holliday and Garrett Atkins before that left-hander can pitch to Brad Hawpe, the other left-handed hitter in the lineup.

Player . . . Scout's view

CF Willy Taveras . . . If he's healthy, his speed disrupts a game, but that has become a big if.

SS Troy Tulowitzki . . . Ideally, he'd hit No. 5 or 6, but with this lineup, it's where he fits.

1B Todd Helton . . . Professional hitter. Doesn't have power he once had, but when game is on the line, be careful.

LF Matt Holliday . . . No holes. Bat speed to handle the inside pitch, and opposite-field power.

3B Garrett Atkins . . . He has lost his opposite-field approach. When he has it, he is a challenge.

RF Brad Hawpe . . . He hits mistakes and hits them a long way. He likes to be up when it matters.

C Yorvit Torrealba . . . He'll surprise you in the clutch. Can hit for average and has strength.

2B Jayson Nix . . . He is pesky with surprising pop. He has to work counts and take walks.

STARTING ROTATION

A year ago, right-hander Aaron Cook drew the Rockies' Opening Day assignment and left-hander Jeff Francis was the No. 2 starter. This year, they have swapped spots. Francis is coming off a franchise-record-tying 17 wins and is 44-31 in his three full major league seasons. Cook remains a potential ace but a year ago was sidetracked by a pulled rib cage muscle that knocked him out for two months and kept him from being able to pitch in the postseason until Game 4 of the World Series.

Ubaldo Jimenez, a late July addition to the rotation a year ago, will be a part of things from the start this year. With the decision to go with left-handers Franklin Morales, a rookie, and Mark Redman, the Rockies initially will feature three left-handers in their rotation.

A decision looms, though. Jason Hirsh, projected to be the No. 4 starter, was sidelined by a strained right rotator cuff during spring training and opens the season on the disabled list. He is expected to be out for close to two months.

Player . . . Scout's view

LHP Jeff Francis . . . Can add and subtract velocity. Adjusts well to what's working. Ordinary stuff plus results.

RHP Aaron Cook . . . As nasty a hard sinker as anybody in the game. Can't be afraid to use it.

RHP Ubaldo Jimenez . . . Has to trust fastball. Too quick to junk it for off-speed stuff when he gets hit.

LHP Franklin Morales . . . Has stuff to be elite pitcher but has to develop secondary pitchers and command.

LHP Mark Redman . . . Throws strikes. Average stuff at best. Doesn't back down when he gets hit.

BULLPEN

The relief corps underwent a massive makeover in July. Three-time All-Star Brian Fuentes went on the disabled list and by the time he returned, he was doing setup work for right-hander Manny Corpas. Corpas remains the closer, with Fuentes in the setup role, a sign of how far the Rockies have come. Fuentes is making $5.05 million, but ownership has created a big enough payroll to keep him instead of having to unload.

Fuentes, who can fill in as the closer when Corpas needs a day or so off -- or if Corpas can't handle the job -- will team with right-handed Luis Vizcaino to set up Corpas. Vizcaino has worked at least 65 games in each of the past six years, creating concerns about how many innings his arm might have left. The Rockies have four relievers capable of multiple innings, giving them a midgame luxury -- left-hander Micah Bowie, and right-handers Matt Herges, Taylor Buchholz and former starter Kip Wells.

Player . . . Scout's view

RHP Manny Corpas . . . Good sink on fastball with hard slider. Gets in trouble when he rushes delivery.

LHP Brian Fuentes . . . Amazing velocity for arm angle. Elevates pitches and gets hitters to swing under.

RHP Luis Vizcaino . . . Slider, slider, slider. Keep waiting for workload to take toll.

RHP Matt Herges . . . Changeup is plus pitch. Commands fastball. Lazy curveball.

RHP Taylor Buchholz . . . Seems confident, finally. Good mix with 94-mph fastball and 84-mph split.

LHP Micah Bowie . . . Pitches in upper 80s. Tough to see ball out of his hand. Head snap distracts hitters.

RHP Kip Wells . . . Underachiever. Stuff is good, but he is too passive in approach to hitters.

MANAGER

Clint Hurdle may have finished third in NL Manager of the Year voting last year, but recognition has begun to come his way. In USA Today's poll of NL West players, in which participants could not vote for anyone associated with their own team, Hurdle was rated the top manager in the division.

He deserves credit for the development of the Rockies. Other than Todd Helton and Aaron Cook, Hurdle is the only major league manager for which any of the homegrown Rockies has played. He was in charge when the massive rebuilding began, struggled through the year of the fading stars because the young players weren't ready, then survived the years while the young players learned their way around the big leagues.

With only one base-stealing threat in the lineup this season, Hurdle is emphasizing a more aggressive approach to baserunning, knowing the need to take extra bases whenever possible will be vital.

He is still adjusting to the handling of a pitching staff, working to find the right mix in helping the starters extend innings. He does have a luxury with a late-inning left-right combo of three-time All-Star Brian Fuentes and closer Manny Corpas.

Manager . . . Scout's view

Clint Hurdle . . . He has grown with team. Still learning to handle pitching in middle innings. Good feel for offensive game.

BENCH

The Rockies have versatility with their bench. Clint Barmes can play anywhere except catcher and pitcher and do a quality defensive job. Jeff Baker provides legitimate power, can play all four corner positions and showed strides at second base this spring, which figures to lead to some opportunities in the lineup during the season.

With Ryan Spilborghs and Scott Podsednik, the Rockies have a right-left outfield combo. Spilborghs brings the run production and Podsednik is a legitimate stolen-base threat who could cut into Willy Taveras' playing time. Spilborghs is solid in the corner outfield spots and adequate in center.

Chris Iannetta showed an aggressive approach this spring, which convinced the Rockies that he doesn't need seasoning at Triple-A after all. He figures to initially get a couple of starts a week, but the way he has swung the bat, he could move into a more prominent role as the season progresses.

Player . . . Scout's view

C Chris Iannetta Accurate arm, average receiver. Swing a little long but can drive ball.

INF Clint Barmes . . . Can play seven positions decently. Good energy. Aggressive with bat.

INF Jeff Baker . . . Bat is key for corner defensive player. Power threat. Needs more at-bats to develop.

OF Ryan Spilborghs . . . Shade below average but works to make himself better. Surprising bat.

OF Scott Podsednik . . . Value is speed. Likes to steal bases. Adequate in field with below-average arm.

DEFENSE

The Rockies set a major league record with a .98925 fielding percentage. Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki led major league shortstops not only with a .987 fielding percentage but also 834 total chances, and first baseman Todd Helton had an NL-best .999 fielding percentage at first base.

There's reason to believe the defense will be even better this year. Rookie second baseman Jayson Nix is considered a superb defensive player. Former major league All-Star third baseman Carney Lansford coached Nix at Triple-A Colorado Springs last year and called him the best defensive second baseman he had ever seen.

As solid as the fielding percentage was, the Rockies do know there are areas where work needs to be done. Third baseman Garrett Atkins makes every routine play but has not shown range. Left fielder Matt Holliday and right fielder Brad Hawpe are both converted infielders who are still working on their routes.

Player . . . Scout's view

C Yorvit Torrealba Takes charge with pitchers but arm has become a liability.

1B Todd Helton . . . Plus hands and strong arm for double play, but back limits his lateral movement.

2B Jayson Nix . . . Among the elite defensive players with plus arm and legitimate toughness.

3B Garrett Atkins . . . Has made himself OK. Solid hands, plus arm, but slow feet, limited range.

SS Troy Tulowitzki . . . Premier defensive shortstop in majors; arm is UNBELIEVABLE!

LF Matt Holliday . . . OK, but could be better. Muscles up on throws, limiting arm strength.

CF Willy Taveras . . . Sees ball off bat well. Solid average. Arm is decent for center field.

RF Brad Hawpe . . . Gets confused on some routes. Can't run on arm. Strong, accurate, no tail on throws.

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