PHOENIX — As the Rockies came down the stretch of what would ultimately be a 94-loss, last-place finish last season, manager Walt Weiss began describing a culture shift that he believed portended brighter days.
With his team having already won more games (69) than they did last season (68) with 18 still left to play entering Tuesday’s late game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Weiss reflected on the role three veterans — catcher Nick Hundley, first baseman Mark Reynolds and infielder Daniel Descalso — have played in the team’s evolution. Namely, a rise from bottom feeders to a squad that should enter spring training facing high expectations for the first time since 2011.