by Patrick Saunders The Denver Post , The Denver Post

Maybe Dexter Fowler, striking out less, showing a little more power and building on his wonderfully promising rookie season?

How about Ubaldo Jimenez? It's time for him to evolve from a pitcher with electric stuff into an ace with lights-out results.

For my money, Chris Iannetta is the one player who could turn the Rockies into a team every bit as dangerous as the Phillies. Iannetta has devastating power, a solid throwing arm and a passion for the game.

I've boosted Iannetta before. Last spring, I predicted he would be an all-star catcher. But instead of shining bright, Iannetta faded.

It wasn't that he hit just .228, including .174 in April when he drove in only five runs. Or that he hit .227 with runners in scoring position in 2009.

Iannetta never took charge the way a big-league catcher must. It was Yorvit Torrealba, not Iannetta, who squeezed the best out of pitchers such as Jorge De La Rosa and Jason Hammel.

Jim Tracy played Torrealba almost exclusively during September when a postseason trip was on the line. It wasn't just that Torrealba wielded a hot bat (.313, 15 RBIs). He also handled the pitching staff with a combination of toughness, instinct and a deft touch that wowed Tracy.

But last week the Rockies didn't pick up Torrealba's $4 million option. And although Torrealba might be back in purple pinstripes, there are no guarantees that will happen. That makes it even more important that Iannetta rediscovers his game.

Iannetta is tough on himself. Too hard, say some within the organization. They believe the catcher's self-

criticism can be counterproductive. Iannetta is a smart, introspective and quiet 26-year-old, but it would be a mistake to dismiss him as passive. He burns with a white-hot competitive fire. I've seen that in his eyes. And remember, for all of Iannetta's woes in 2009, he still hit 16 homers, had a .460 slugging percentage and had a .344 on-base percentage.

The Rockies have never had a homegrown catcher who blossomed into a solid, long-term answer behind the plate.

I still think Iannetta can be that guy. I still think he has all-star potential. If he realizes that potential in 2010, it will be a bigger boost than anybody the Rockies are likely to

acquire this winter.

Patrick Saunders covers the Rockies . Contact: 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com

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