The Good

Speed thrills

The Rockies effectively have put together a speedy top to the batting order, Willy Taveras and Kaz Matsui, which will create more run- production opportunities for the middle of the lineup. Taveras and Matsui were a good fit. Taveras turned the bunt into a bigger part of his game, and when he is on base, Matsui has the bat control to exploit the hole on the right side of the infield.

Kids growing up

Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and catcher Chris Iannetta are the latest additions from the farm system. Both lived up to offseason expectations, putting together strong spring trainings and reaffirming they are ready for the major leagues despite limited pro experience. Tulo- witzki was the No. 1 draft choice in 2005 and Iannetta was signed as a fourth-round pick in 2004.

Cookin'

Right-hander Aaron Cook is being counted on to step into the role of the rotation ace, and he pitched this spring training as if he is ready for the challenge. Cook was 4-0 with a 2.13 ERA in six starts, walked six in 25 1/3 innings and left both no-decisions with leads. He was given the Opening Day start Monday.

Git 'er done

First baseman Todd Helton is on a mission, and he showed every sign of being ready to deliver. He finished Cactus League play hitting .396 (19-for-48), but more important, he was hitting the ball hard. When he made contact, his bat made that sound that's a little different from everybody else's. Helton has regained the 30 pounds he lost after encountering intestinal problems last year and turned it into muscle.

In the wings

The Rockies have help on the way for the rotation. Right-hander Brian Lawrence, recovering from shoulder surgery a year ago, was the team's second-most consistent starter in spring training, but the Rockies want to make sure he has proper preparation for the grind and will start him on a medical rehabilitation assignment. Ubaldo Jimenez showed he will be ready as soon as needed, allowing three runs and seven hits in 11 innings before being sent to Colorado Springs.

The Bad

Left out

The Rockies' left-handed bullpen situation is a mess. Tom Martin, hit hard, was placed on the disabled list Thursday, leaving Jeremy Affeldt as the only left-handed setup man. Affeldt struggled early, giving up four runs in two appearances before he even got his fourth out of spring training. He allowed only one more earned run in seven more innings, though. Martin, meanwhile, gave up six home runs in 5 1/3 innings.

Take the fifth

Right-hander Byung-Hyun Kim not only lost out in the battle for the fifth spot in the rotation, but the Rockies couldn't find any team with the slightest interest in taking his $2.5 million contract off their hands. They decided to try to minimize the loss by putting Kim in the bullpen, then he complained, saying he didn't feel it necessary to think about baseball every day.

Rocky rotation

Rodrigo Lopez, Jason Hirsh and Josh Fogg, the 3-4-5 starters, combined to give up 43 earned runs and 62 hits, including 12 home runs, and 16 walks in 48 innings. By his final start, Lopez had his sinker working. Fogg, meanwhile, was decent during his battle for the fifth spot in the rotation but surrendered four home runs and 11 runs while retiring only 11 batters in his final exhibition start.

Not so hip

Right-hander Dave Veres was on the verge of writing a successful comeback story after being out of the game for three years and undergoing hip-replacement surgery a year ago. He went through early drills, pitched in games and the hip felt great. His right forearm was another issue, though. Veres strained a flexor muscle the second week of the exhibition season and spent the rest of March regaining strength. The dream still lives, but he's going to be in extended spring training, not the majors, when the season begins.

No way to go

Former All-Star catcher Javy Lopez came to spring training hoping to extend his career. He even spent some time working with Rockies instructors during the offseason to try to refine his catching skills. It didn't work. Lopez was a major positive in the clubhouse. He showed plenty of bat - .375 with four doubles among six hits - but catching and throwing were too challenging. The Rockies released him March 12, among their first cuts of position players, hoping that would give him a chance to catch on with another team, but he didn't. It was a tough way to end the career of such a quality person.

TODAY'S GAME

Rockies (undecided) vs. Sky Sox (undecided), 2:05 p.m., Security Service Field, Colorado Springs (FSN Rocky Mountain; KOA-AM 850).