That year, Tulowitzki hit .291 with 24 homers, 99 RBIs and led National League shortstops in fielding. Last year, he batted .263 in 101 games with eight homers and 46 RBIs. He missed 60 games with two tours on the disabled list, the longest a 46-game stretch that began in late April when Tulowitzki tore a tendon in his left quadriceps.

After the All-Star break, Tulowitzki hit .327 in 62 games but with five homers and 30 RBIs as his power was hampered because he emphasized making contact in order not to unduly strain his leg and ensure staying in the lineup.

Tulowitzki said he was fully healthy when he came to camp, but he was hitting .174 on March 11 and .231 as late as March 26. But from that latter point on, Tulowitzki went 10-for-21 with two doubles, three RBIs and five runs scored. He said his batting practice sessions had improved because he focused on staying inside the ball and using the big part of the field rather than being pull-conscious.

And new hitting coach Don Baylor sees Tulowitzki poised for a big season.

"We aren't going to compromise his power," Baylor said. "He really loves that high fastball, and what we've done is talk about pitch selection."

Tulowitzki came up in August 2006 and is entering his second full season in the big leagues. He has gained enough familiarity with the pitchers, their repertoires and their way of attacking him, and seems ready to capitalize on that data bank.

"He's an All-Star for me," Baylor said. "And he's going to be for a long time. He just needs to be consistent, and it will happen for him because he can really play."

THE ROCKIES WILL CONTEND IF ...: Their rotation doesn't become a major liability, as easily could happen. RHPs Aaron Cook and Ubaldo Jimenez should capably fill the top two spots, but behind them there are serious question marks in RHP Jason Marquis, LHP Jorge De La Rosa and whoever emerges as the fifth starter. In the absence of Matt Holliday, 3B Garrett Atkins dramatically improves his .225 average with runners in scoring position and .328 on-base percentage last year. C Chris Iannetta and SS Troy Tulowitzki, young players with high ceilings, continue to grow as major-leaguers. CF Ryan Spilborghs provides the pop and ability to get on base as a leadoff hitter that former CF Willy Taveras, despite his exceptional speed, lacked. And special young talents such as INF/OF Ian Stewart and CF Dexter Fowler, both potential impact players, end up contributing.

PRIMED FOR A BIG SEASON: 1B Todd Helton hit with power this spring, something he wasn't able to do last year before undergoing arthroscopic back surgery Sept. 30 to correct the bulging disk that was putting pressure on a nerve and causing numbness in his left leg. Helton also moved well in the field. Manager Clint Hurdle plans to rest Helton, 35, more this season, but the mere possibility he can again be an offensive force is a boon to the Rockies.

ON THE DECLINE: Hip and groin injuries contributed to RHP Huston Street losing his closing job last year with the A's. Health has not been a concern for Street this spring, and he rebounded from a poor beginning. Nonetheless, whether Street can effectively hold down the closer's role for an extended period is open to debate, since his velocity is down from a few years ago. Street can be a late-inning contributor in a relief corps, but his salad days as a closer -- at 25 he has 94 career saves -- may be over.