Notes: Sunny days for Cook
02/17/2006
TUCSON, Ariz. -- In no way is this meant to make those dealing with snow and single-digit temperature in Denver jealous or anything. But Friday was cool enough that Colorado Rockies pitcher Aaron Cook needed to wear a sweatshirt while throwing and executing fielding drills at Hi Corbett Field.
Whatever the weather is in the desert, the point is Cook can finally enjoy it.
After his strong comeback from thoracic outlet surgery last season, Cook reported to Spring Training with the rest of the Colorado pitchers and catchers Friday with confidence, health and the reward of a new, two-year, $4.55 million contract. That hasn't been the case the last three years.
• In 2003, injuries to other pitchers forced the Rockies to keep Cook in their starting rotation even though they were convinced he wasn't ready. That proved true, as Cook pitched himself in and out of the rotation and in and out of Triple-A Colorado Springs en route to a 4-6 record with a 6.02 ERA.
• In 2004, Cook pitched well in Spring Training but it didn't matter, since the Rockies vowed to send him back to Colorado Springs to complete his development. When he earned his promotion, he proved he belonged before blood clots in both lungs struck him down in August.
• Last spring was the one that never seemed to end for Cook, whose rehab from a pair of surgeries to correct the clotting problem required him to stay in Tucson until June. Then it was a climb through the Minor League system on rehab assignments.
Finally, Cook can enjoy Tucson, even if it's cool and windy -- which, sorry, Denver, is the forecast for Saturday afternoon's initial workout for pitchers and catchers.
"I think any player will tell you once they've got a little security, it takes a little extra weight off their shoulders, and I think that's when guys start to perform better," Cook said. "You get your first guaranteed deal and you're not worried about what's going to happen day to day, not worried about getting sent down. You play baseball like it's a game and not like it's a job.
"I know I've still got to bust my butt as much as ever, but I can concentrate on getting ready for the season."
Cook battles fellow right-hander Jason Jennings for the No. 1 spot in the rotation. After going 7-2 with a 3.67 ERA in his 13 starts last season and demonstrating durability with two complete games and 10 "quality starts" -- six or more innings, three or fewer earned runs -- Cook will be depended upon to help reduce the workload of the bullpen.
"We've got so much territory in front of us that we don't want to get in front of ourselves, but he's healthy, he's in a good position mentally and physically -- the best position he's been in in a long time," manager Clint Hurdle said.
School days: In the corner of Hurdle's office was a stack of sweatshirts, T-shirts and baseball caps from universities in the Rocky Mountain region. He'll wear those during television interviews at Spring Training.
Hurdle has been a presence at the University of Wyoming, but he said he wants to "spread the love" to other programs.
Gang's (almost) all here: An informal workout for pitchers and catchers broke out Friday because nearly everyone was in camp. Hurdle said the club had made contact with players who had not arrived as of Friday, such as newly acquired catcher Yorvit Torrealba and pitcher Jose Mesa.
On the board: Jennings and Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Kip Wells each donated $50,000 to Baylor University, their alma mater, on a scoreboard project at the field where they played in college.
The current team thanked Jennings and other former Bears in the pros by beating them, 13-1, in an alumni game earlier this month. Jennings, who earned consensus collegiate Player of the Year honors at Baylor in 1999, started the game and didn't have much help.
"Two errors and two passed balls in the first innings," he said with a laugh. "Baylor guys were out there to play hard and win the game. We were still trying to get in shape."
Source: http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/
Rockies ready for serious spring work
02/17/2006
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Colorado pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training on Friday morning, in preparation for Saturday afternoon's initial workout. Pitching coach Bob Apodaca is expecting his starters to be ready to work -- hard for now, and long when the season starts.
The starters will pitch every four days during the early portion of the Spring Training schedule instead of the usual once every five days. It's because the Rockies want to achieve a durability that's common elsewhere but unprecedented with this franchise, which operates in a demanding atmosphere.
In the 13-year history of the Rockies, just eight times has a pitcher surpassed 200 innings in a season. As a comparison, last season saw the world champion Chicago White Sox feature four that surpassed the 200 mark. Apocaca thinks something similar is doable in Colorado. Right-handers Aaron Cook and Jason Jennings, who are competing for the Opening Day start, and lefty Jeff Francis, who led the team with 183 2/3 innings last season as a rookie, have demonstrated durability traits.
Just three times have the Rockies had two pitchers surpass 200.
"I'd like to see at least three guys go 200 innings," said Apodaca, heading into his fourth year as the Rockies' pitching coach. "I think 'Cookie' can do it because he's a guy who likes to finish what he starts, and he gets ground balls with runners on base. That helps him get deep in games. Jeff Francis threw almost 190 last year.
"I know it would be a very, very bold statement to have five guys over 200 innings, but that should be a goal for us."
Four jobs are set, with Cook, Jennings, Francis and right-hander Byung-Hyun Kim. The fifth job is a competition among Sunny Kim, Zach Day, Josh Fogg and, possibly, non-roster right-hander Keiichi Yabu. Those who don't make the rotation could be up for bullpen jobs. Speaking of the bullpen, the Rockies will go with a seven-man bullpen again, with jobs expected to go to lefty closer Brian Fuentes, veteran lefty Ray King and righties Mike DeJean and Jose Mesa.
There could be plenty of opportunity to see the competitors for the final starting spot in camp. Francis will pitch for Canada in the World Baseball Classic, and the two Kims will pitch for Korea. That means plenty of innings for those who stay in camp.
The four-day schedule will most likely start with an intrasquad game on Feb. 27 (there will be another intrasquad game on March 3, a scheduled off-day). Apodaca will be flexible about the schedule, since many pitchers go through a dead-arm period during Spring Training.
The new schedule also is designed to get the staff off to a better start. None of the pitchers have been dominant in the season's first month. Jennings (6-11, 6.32 ERA) has been bad in April. He went 1-3 with a 4.55 ERA last April, struggled in May but had rebounded and was 6-9 with a 5.02 ERA in 20 starts before suffering a fractured finger on July 20 to end his season.
"Back when we went to the four-man rotation (in 2004), I said the more you do something, the better you get at it, whether you're pitching, swinging a golf club, whatever," Jennings said. "Maybe we can get stronger and get off to a better start."
Given the history of the franchise, 200 innings seems an accomplishment. But 2006 is about increasing standards. The Rockies believe better starting pitching can be a key to ending a streak of five losing seasons and becoming a factor in a National League West that has no clear favorite.
Francis, who led the team in wins last year while going 14-12 with a 5.68 ERA, isn't accepting 200 as the gold standard.
Francis reached 183 2/3 innings last year even though he went into the seventh inning just three times. A No. 1 draft pick in 2002, Francis comes with higher expectations.
"That's just a little more than a third of an inning more per start," Francis said. "My goal is to be more consistent, and I know I'm capable of that. There were a lot of games when I either had a lead or I fell behind early. I want to be the type of pitcher that can pitch for a long time and keep his team in a tight game."
Source: http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/
Fuentes seeking a repeat performance
02/18/2006
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Rockies history is full of relief pitchers who have had big seasons. But those who have had 70 or more appearances in one season and done well the following year compose a small category that left-handed closer Brian Fuentes hopes to enter this year.
By earning 31 saves last season, Fuentes became the most decorated reliever in Rockies history. He became the first Colorado reliever to appear in the All-Star Game and has been chosen to Team USA for the World Baseball Classic. But the Rockies' hopes for 2006 are dependent on him beating the odds and doing it again.
Fuentes himself has experienced the difficulty of carrying a heavy workload two straight seasons. In 2003, he posted a 2.75 ERA and struck out 82 in 75 1/3 innings of mostly setup work. But in 2004, he missed 62 games with a strained back and made just 47 appearances. Even though his strikeout rate was high (48 in 44 2/3 innings), he saw his ERA balloon to 5.64.
Whether he can repeat his 2005 performance -- a key to Colorado improving on a 67-95 finish -- is a question even he will answer only on the mound.
"I don't really know that I can, I just know that I've prepared myself and I'm not surprised when I do something like that," Fuentes said after Saturday's initial workout for pitchers and catchers at Hi Corbett Field. "I prepare myself in the offseason and during the season to go out for multiple innings, whether it's at Coors Field or someplace else."
The amount of fair ground, how batted balls sometimes can carry, and a mile-high atmosphere that's hard on the muscles are reasons for the difficulty. In recent years, pitchers such as Dave Veres, Todd Jones, Gabe White and Javier Lopez have experienced a good year of 70-plus appearances followed by a moderate to colossal downfall. In the cases of Veres, Jones and White, they were able to find themselves only after leaving Coors Field and sometimes even that took years.
It's especially true in the closer role, where just once has a pitcher earned more than 20 saves in consecutive seasons. That pitcher, Jose Jimenez, went from a club-record 41 saves to 20 the following season, during which he experienced vicious fan booing and lost his job.
But success can be sustained. Steve Reed pitched for Colorado from 1994-97 and 2003-04, throwing anywhere from 61 to 67 games each season, yet only twice finishing with an ERA above 4.00. In the days before the club began storing baseballs in an atmospherically controlled chamber to keep them at manufacturers' specifications (the climate would cause them to shrink and become slick), below 5.00 was considered outstanding.
In the 1990s, Darren Holmes, Curtis Leskanic, Jerry Dipoto and Mike DeJean -- who returned to the Rockies last season and is part of the 2006 staff -- also were credible pitchers despite heavy workloads.
Manager Clint Hurdle said he has found that if a pitcher exceeds 70 appearances, he needs to be watched closely the following year. So even though Fuentes is the key to the bullpen, Hurdle said the Rockies protected themselves by retaining DeJean, signing right-hander Jose Mesa and trading with St. Louis for left-hander Ray King.
Hurdle has operated under a policy of not asking a pitcher to throw more than three straight days. Now he can even avoid using Fuentes a third straight day if necessary.
"We've got a number of guys to go to late, where we basically pretty much had one to look at, and one eighth-inning guy to get to the ninth-inning guy," he said. "We've got some flexibility there that we've never had before."
DeJean, whose success in a Rockies uniform could partly be due to the fact that he throws often but has never reached the red flag number of 70, said the syndrome is as much mental as it is physical.
"'Reeder' [Reed] was the one that kind of ingrained in everybody, young guys, to take the ball every chance you get and go out there with the same frame of mind, no matter if your arm feels really good or feels really bad," he said. "If you keep that aggressive attitude, more times than not you're going to come out on top. I think that's probably been why I've been pretty decent at Coors Field."
Fuentes, 31, said he is addressing the physical and the mental. The WBC should get him ready for the season quicker, and daily back-strengthening exercises have made the pain of 2004 a non-issue.
Also, he doesn't stress over the occasional bad performance. He said he'll study film of his mechanics just once or twice in a season so he won't overthink. The relaxed attitude helped him keep a 2.91 ERA in 2005 despite high traffic on the bases (55 hits, 34 walks, 10 hit batsmen).
"I just have the confidence of letting things roll off my back," he said. "I usually don't worry about things until absolutely necessary. In that many appearances, things are going to happen. In that many appearances, having a calm, cool, collected attitude seems to be the best remedy."
Source: http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/
Notes: Marrero hoping to catch on
02/18/2006
TUCSON, Ariz. -- For Eli Marrero to step forward in his career, he began to step back into his past Saturday, the first day for pitchers and catchers in the Colorado Rockies' camp.
Marrero, 32, began his career in the late 1990s as a catching prospect with St. Louis. He grew into a utility infielder and outfielder and hasn't caught since suffering a right ankle injury in 2003. However, he broke out the mask Saturday at Hi Corbett Field.
In camp under a Minor League contract, Marrero is here now in case his ability to catch -- which would give manager Clint Hurdle an offensive third option at a position now manned by glove men Yorvit Torrealba and Danny Ardoin -- helps put him on the club.
He knows that his versatility is his shot to make the big club, and even that would be tough. Part of the reason for Colorado's 67-95 record last year was the emphasis on youth, and Marrero will find himself in competition with many of those homegrown prospects for backup jobs.
"I've got to come here early and get some work," Marrero said. "If they ask me to do it during the season, obviously I'd do it, but it would be a lot harder."
Marrero survived a bout with thyroid cancer in 1998 to earn the Cardinals' Rookie of the Year award at the end of that season, but he never established himself as the club's backstop. As a utility man in 2002, he played a career-high 131 games and batted .262 with 18 home runs and 66 RBIs. He played in 44 games behind the plate, but had 46 in right field, 39 in left and 36 in center. The ankle injury, which occurred on a wet Wrigley Field in a game that was called shortly after the incident, limited him to 41 games in 2003.
In 2004, Marrero joined the Atlanta Braves and hit a career-best .320 in 90 games, with defensive appearances in the outfield. Last season, however, Marrero struggled with Kansas City and Baltimore, batting a combined .181 against unfamiliar American League pitching.
Catching is only part of Marrero's assignment, which is a tough one. Pinch-hit standout Jorge Piedra is ticketed for one of the two backup spots. Power-hitting infield prospects Jeff Baker and Ryan Shealy are hoping to play the corners well enough to deserve a job, and prospects Choo Freeman, Jeff Salazar and Ryan Spilborghs come with the demonstrated ability to play center.
Another complication is Freeman, the 36th overall pick in 1998, is out of Minor League options and would have to be waived if he doesn't make the team.
"[Marrero] needs to show us he can capture pretty quickly his catching skills, and the ability to play all three outfield positions is something we're going to take a good, long look at," manager Clint Hurdle said.
The expansive center territory at Coors Field is the big question.
"I love playing center field," Marrero said. "I'm not a center fielder, but I can do it.
"I don't really look ahead. Today I'm working on catching and I'm doing that 100 percent. You really have no control. You can have a great spring and somebody up there might say, 'You know what? I don't like it.' So I'll give 100 percent and whatever happens, happens."
Travel difficulty: Right-hander Jose Mesa did not make it in time for Saturday's first workout. He flew from the Dominican Republic to Miami and was supposed to continue to Dallas, but that airport experienced weather-related cancellations. He might arrive at the end of Sunday's workout and throw a bullpen session.
General manager Dan O'Dowd, who was part of the front office in Cleveland when Mesa was breaking in with the Indians, found humor in the situation.
"I gave him a lot of grief," O'Dowd said. "He said he had never gotten to camp late in his career and I said, 'Great, you saved it for us.'"
Hurdle also got a laugh.
"He's a guy that's big on conditioning, and he thought that in order to take it to the next level, he'd just run to Spring Training from the Dominican," he said. "He'll be all right."
Also, non-roster right-hander Nate Field missed the first workout to be in Denver with his wife, Jamie, for the birth of their son, Jacob Patrick, on Thursday.
Catching some relief: The presence of Torrealba and Ardoin, as well as non-roster candidates Miguel Ojeda (182 games over three seasons) and Marrero, means the Rockies can spend some time training less-experienced catchers.
JD Closser, who had a harrowing rookie season (.219 batting average, seven of 53 basestealers thrown out), and prospect Chris Iannetta will receive attention.
"It frees us up to get Chris Iannetta a good feel for what the Major Leagues is about," said bench coach Jamie Quirk, who works with the Colorado catchers. "We want him to get a good feel for us, and it gives us a chance to get JD Closser back mentally and physically and he feels good about himself."
Source: http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/
Notes: Acevedo could pitch in Classic
02/19/2006
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Right-hander Jose Acevedo has enough confidence in his ability that he accepted being taken off the Rockies' Major League roster this winter, making it logistically harder for him to make the squad this spring.
That same confidence, combined with a love for his home country, could soon take Acevedo away from camp. On the strength of his strong playoff performance this winter in the Dominican Republic, the country could add him as early as Monday to its starting staff for the World Baseball Classic. Pool D play is March 7-10 in Orlando, Fla. Injuries to Bartolo Colon and Pedro Martinez mean the Dominicans could need his services.
Acevedo, 27, represented the Dominicans in the 2003 Caribbean World Series. An outing during which he threw seven innings of one-hit ball and fanned 13 helped the Dominicans stave off elimination against Puerto Rico. The Dominicans won the title and provided Acevedo with a thrill that he'd like to repeat. He also believes that leaving the Rockies for the tournament won't hurt him if he gets innings and pitches well.
"[Colorado general manager] Dan O'Dowd told me he doesn't want me to go over there and not get to pitch," Acevedo said. "He didn't want me to go and just hang around. If I go, I'm going to be a starter. That's a good point."
The Rockies acquired Acevedo from Cincinnati last April. He had moments when it appeared he'd be part of Colorado's pitching future as a long reliever and spot starter, but an inability to correct mechanical flaws that reared during games led to a 2-4 finish with a 6.47 ERA. The Rockies did not tender Acevedo a contract offer, so he didn't stay on the winter roster, but Acevedo agreed to return. His Major League rate is based on a $550,000 salary for the season, with incentives based on games pitched.
Going 1-0 and holding opponents to one earned run in 13 2/3 innings for Aguilas this winter helped Acevedo prepare. He said he understands not having a roster spot because of his up-and-down 2005, but there's something else that drives him. Last spring, Cincinnati questioned his physical conditioning because of his weight. He took it as a slam against his work ethic.
"You can see right now, I have the same weight and I'll prove myself, you'll see it," said Acevedo, who is 225 pounds and expects to lose 10 before Opening Day. "Everybody called me the day I was traded because they know how hard I work.
"I feel comfortable, feel strong. I like the way I look."
Answer coming quickly: Manager Clint Hurdle said he'll announce an Opening Day starter quickly, most likely before Spring Training games begin March 1. Barring injury, right-handers Aaron Cook and Jason Jennings will compete for the start April 3 at home against Arizona.
"That's something we're probably going to decide on sooner than later," manager Clint Hurdle said. "I don't want them to think that they're going to pitch their way into the spot and that's all going to be what Spring Training is about. Either one of them is going to be a very solid choice for us."
The last time an Opening Day starter was named before camp was 2003, when Jennings got the call on the strength of his National League Rookie of the Year effort the previous year. In 2004, the decision was delayed until non-roster candidate Shawn Estes, a veteran, earned the job. Last season, amid some hard feelings from Jennings, left-hander Joe Kennedy was named during camp.
Same emphasis, better tools: Last spring, improving the pitchers' ability to hold runners was a spoken goal. A lot of that had to do with the catching, with rookie JD Closser and oft-injured Todd Greene expected to share the job.
But Closser and Greene would throw out just eight of the 87 runners that attempted to steal. How often the pitchers were at fault is conjecture, but the fact was that Danny Ardoin threw out 18 of the 41 that tried to run on him after he was promoted from Triple-A Colorado Springs.
The first couple of days of camp, pitchers worked on pickoff moves and holding runners just as much as they did last year, but having Ardoin and newcomer Yorvit Torrealba makes it less an issue.
"It remains an issue because that's what good pitchers do," Hurdle said. "You won't be the total package on the mound unless you're able to hold runners, throw over when you need to, throw quick when you need to, give your catcher a chance to throw out a runner. We just have more depth behind the plate than we've ever had."
Still waiting: Right-hander Jose Mesa had not arrived in time for Sunday's workout. Righty Nate Field worked out Sunday. He missed Saturday for the birth of his son. Righty Miguel Asencio, who also missed Saturday, arrived in Tucson on Sunday but not in time to work out.
Source: http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/
Notes: Mesa makes grand entrance
02/20/2006
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Jose Mesa arrived at the Colorado Rockies' clubhouse at Hi Corbett Field on Monday morning expecting a ribbing. To help him take it in stride, manager Clint Hurdle, who no doubt helped engineer some of the grief Mesa got for reporting to camp two days late, walked him to his locker.
Easily visible from his cubicle was a computer-generated sign bearing his picture and asking for a $1.50 reward.
"I didn't really know that I was on 'America's Most Wanted,' but I found out now," joked Mesa, whose on-time arrival was blocked by weather problems in Dallas that caused flight cancellations. "But just $1.50?"
Hurdle could laugh off not having Mesa in camp for a couple of days. He watched Mesa throw briefly on Monday and relaxed.
"Mesa's shape is not an issue, never has been," Hurdle said.
Mesa's presence as a right-handed setup man is a key cog in the health off the bullpen. The Rockies have always liked bringing in veteran relievers, and Mesa's experience as a closer (319 career saves, 12th all-time) gives Hurdle an option should lefty closer Brian Fuentes need a rest.
Mesa's first pro season was 1982. Five players in camp weren't born until 1983 or later, and four others were born that same year. But Mesa spent two seasons with young teammates in Pittsburgh before the Rockies signed him in December, and is comfortable around youth.
"I don't know if I'm going to keep pitching until Julio Franco retires, but it depends," said Mesa, who turns 40 on May 22. "My arm is in good shape. I still throw hard. I still get guys out. As long as I keep getting the guys out and doing the job, I'm going to keep playing.
"[The Rockies are] young, but I guess you're never too young to win."
Early poll: Colorado third base prospect Ian Stewart is ranked 16th on the Baseball Prospectus Top 50 Prospects Report. He is the only Rockies prospect listed.
Spoiling plans? Most of the position players worked out on Monday, even though they aren't required to be in town until Wednesday and Colorado doesn't have a full-squad workout until Friday.
Of course, if all goes according to the club's plan, shortstop Omar Quintanilla will simply be getting some work against Major Leaguers before going to Triple-A Colorado Springs to begin his regular season.
One reason the Rockies acquired Jamey Carroll from Washington for cash is to allow Quintanilla some time to complete his offensive development. He came over last season from Oakland, where he was a Double-A player, spent 13 games at Colorado Springs, then was called up. He hit .219 in 39 games.
"I'm here to prove myself," said Quintanilla, 24. "Of course, what I want to do is make the big-league team. That's the dream I have.
"I came up here and I saw what it takes to be up here. I saw a lot of film in the offseason of what I was doing. I've just got to be more patient and wait for my pitch. That's what I'm going to try to do this spring."
Ready for the world: Hurdle chooses to look at the big picture when it comes to the World Baseball Classic. He'll miss three potential starting pitchers -- Jeff Francis (Canada), Byung-Hyun Kim and Sunny Kim (Korea); closer Brian Fuentes (USA) and left fielder Matt Holliday (USA); and reliever David Cortes (Mexico) among players with a good chance to break with the big club, and could lose relief pitching candidate Jose Acevedo (Dominican Republic). Acevedo had not heard for sure on Monday whether he was invited.
"Everybody has their own feelings and own opinions, and I've been asked," Hurdle said. "I'm for it. I think we're trying to do it for all the right reasons. We're going to work through some of the kinks initially in the inaugural season. Hopefully, in the big picture, this will pay big dividends for everybody and there won't be any injuries.
"The game of baseball is a wonderful vehicle to utilize for a lot of different things besides playing the game of baseball."
Best wishes for Barry: San Francisco slugger Barry Bonds has been talking retirement because of health issues. Hurdle said he'd like for Bonds to finish his career demonstrating his greatness, rather than battling pain.
But, after avoiding pitching to Bonds the past couple of years, Hurdle made it clear that he doesn't want to give him many opportunities for highlight moments.
"I'm not sure how much we're going to let him swing the bat," Hurdle said. "He can be somebody else's laboratory experiment. I've had my time with it. ... I'm working on the premise that he can still hit."
Source: http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/
Mailbag: Full Nelson in store?
02/20/2006
What's your outlook on former first-round pick Chris Nelson, a shortstop taken ninth overall in 2004? He dropped significantly on Baseball America's prospect list. Are injuries the only reason for this? -- Eli R., Boulder, Colo.
Nelson went from No. 2 on the Rockies' list last season to No. 10 this year, coinciding with a drop in performance. He hit .347 with a .432 on-base percentage in 38 games at Rookie-level Casper in 2004 after celebrating his high school graduation, but dropped to .241 in an injury-filled 79 games at Class A Asheville in 2005.
In a nutshell, the drop has a lot to do with the fact that he turned 20 last season. In his first year out of high school, Nelson felt he needed to build muscle for his first full pro season. But his program did not work for him, and the result was a year interrupted by groin and hamstring problems.
"The day-in and day-out process was much different than the strength he acquired in the offseason," Rockies player development director Marc Gustafson said. "I think he's figured out his body a little bit in terms of the strength he needs. I think all players go through that."
Nelson worked out at Coors Field this winter with Rockies strength and conditioning coach Brad Andress along with a few of the club's youngest prospects -- outfielders Dexter Fowler and Bret Berglund, and infielder Eric Young Jr.
On the field, Nelson's plate discipline fell into question, but Gustafson said things "clicked for him" during the postseason instructional program in Arizona. Nelson will be in Minor League camp.
I'm glad the Rockies acquired utility infielder Jamey Carroll from Washington. I like him because of his defensive versatility and because his career on-base percentage is pretty high (and the top of the order needs all the help it can get in the OBP department). What kind of playing time do you think he'll get? -- Robert Z., Northglenn, Colo.
I can envision Carroll getting considerable time, much of it at second base, possibly equaling or slightly surpassing last year's career high of 72 starts.
The Rockies still want starting second baseman Luis Gonzalez to play other positions, and he'll move to third when Garrett Atkins needs a break. Also, the Rockies will need to rest Gonzalez. And Carroll's ability to play shortstop will get him some starts when Clint Barmes needs a break.
Carroll's long-term prospects will be dependent upon what he can add offensively. He fits best second (.265, .340 OBP in 129 career games) or eighth (.323, .385 in 50 games) and gives manager Clint Hurdle a right-handed pinch-hit option (.346 in 52 pinch-hit at-bats).
Do you see Jose Acevedo ever making a big impact with the Rockies or any other team? I remember him two years ago with Cincinnati, and he seemed to have real promise. -- Rob S., Hillsdale, Mich.
The fact that someone competing for a rotation spot will fall into the bullpen only further complicates Acevedo's chances of breaking camp with the Rockies, but you can pretty much guarantee that the club will need Major League-caliber hurlers at Triple-A Colorado Springs.
If Acevedo can achieve consistency, he'll have a productive career because of his ability to start or handle any bullpen job.
Source: http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/
Kim, Rox seeking balance to tap talent
02/20/2006
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Colorado right-handed pitcher Byung-Hyun Kim felt he was back on the right path, even if the destination is perfection and impossible to achieve.
An old workout has him close to regaining the "balance" that eluded him the last two seasons. He is comfortable with a young Colorado squad that also employs fellow Korean pitcher Sunny Kim. Starting has given him the certainty that he lacked at the start of last season, when he faltered in a middle-relief role. Yet, his journey is about to take a detour.
Kim (and Sunny Kim) will pitch for Korea in the World Baseball Classic, which would require him to leave camp at Hi Corbett Field for Tokyo, where Pool A play takes place March 3-5.
"To go to Japan, it's a 14-hour flight there, then two weeks, then we have to come back here," Kim said. "It's hard to have jet lag. I've been here seven years. This year is the first time I've had that trip. I'm a little bit worried about that. I will do it because I'm honored for my country."
That statement is a small window into the inner and outer pressures and difficulties that Kim, 27, and the Rockies face as they work together to convert immense talent into lasting success.
On the plus side, Kim is special when he is clicking. As a closer earlier in his career, Kim helped Arizona to the 2001 World Series title and pulled Boston into the 2003 playoffs. Traded from the Red Sox to the Rockies in 2005, Kim posted a 4.50 Coors Field ERA, the third-best such figure in club history. That included some terrible relief appearances that nearly cost him his roster spot, before injuries forced him into the rotation.
However, the good seems to be counterbalanced by factors that have made him an outsider on previous teams. Those would be a physical and mental approach that is so delicate it frustrates those he works for and with, a suffocating sense of duty and an obsessive search for perfection.
Of course, it could be that Kim is like anyone else trying to reach his potential, only his methods and intentions sometimes get lost in the translation. If that is the case, this may mesh perfectly, with the Rockies giving Kim freedom to find himself in return for attempting to become less of an outsider.
"Last year, I think I liked this team," Kim said. "They gave me a chance. In Boston, I was really comfortable in Boston, but I didn't play good, so last year was a rebuild kind of thing."
Since arriving just before last season in a trade that allowed the Red Sox to exchange a huge salary commitment for Kim and allowed the Rockies to jettison their commitment to catcher Charles Johnson, the club-player relationship has had some twists.
Kim came with friend and interpreter Daniel Kim, although the Rockies encouraged him to wean himself off language services for fear it would create separation. When Kim was struggling out of the bullpen, manager Clint Hurdle asked Kim to go to the Minors, tantamount to releasing him because the pitcher would have refused. But Hurdle recanted minutes later because of an injury to Shawn Chacon. Kim would go from a struggling reliever (0-3, 7.66 ERA) to a serviceable starter (5-9, 4.37) who improved as the year progressed.
The Rockies were so concerned about Kim taking the next step to fitting in that they delayed re-signing him this winter until having a conference call with Kim, his representatives and key members of the coaching staff and front office. The Rockies are giving chemistry issues heavy weight in roster makeup.
Yet, in a no-brainer decision, the Rockies retained him on a one-year, $1.5 million contract with incentives worth another $1 million and a club option worth $2.5 million. The option can rise to $4 million if he throws 200 innings. So the Rockies understand what matters most -- Kim's talent.
Pitching coach Bob Apodaca said last season he is fascinated by Kim's creative balance exercises and his creative approach during bullpen sessions, how he'd stop and look skyward after each pitch to visualize the proper technique and action on the ball. But there comes a point Kim tires himself out with his tirelessness, Apodaca believes.
"I know that he is totally immersed in baseball, I don't know if you can say to a fault," Apodaca said. "It's so consuming, it just doesn't seem he has time to enjoy, and that's so much part of baseball, the enjoyment of the game -- the strive for perfection and realizing you're going to fall far short of it. I don't get the sense that he's enjoying that ride and trying to strive for perfection."
The Rockies claimed Sunny Kim off waivers from Washington last August. Sunny Kim has a greater grasp of English, which helped bring Byung-Hyun Kim into greater communication with the other Rockies. Sunny Kim also fully understood how difficult it is to have the intelligence to express deep thoughts on and off the field but only having command of the fraction of the language.
"With baseball or life, everything, we understood each other," Sunny Kim said, with Byung-Hyun Kim sitting at his side and playfully cupping his ear. "If I have a pitching problem, I'll tell 'B.K.' and he'll say, 'Do this.' If he has a problem, he'll tell me. It's so different."
Byung-Hyun Kim believes the biggest issue is the communication from brain to muscle. He experimented with a different workout after the 2003 season and made just seven appearances for Boston during an injury-plagued 2004 (2-1, 6.23 ERA).
This winter, he endured physical and mental conditioning under a strength and conditioning expert in Seoul, a woman known as "Dr. Sunny" (he said he didn't have the English spelling of her full name), who pushed his mind as well as his muscles.
"When I play good, my body was OK, I didn't think about that. But my body was totally different, so I have to do that. If I'm two or three years later, it's comfortable, I don't have to do that. Now it's beginning. This year, still, I'm trying to find the old B.K. It's not complete yet, but I try my best and I help the team."
The Rockies are hoping that the good ol' "B.K." doesn't get lost on the long WBC trip.
Source: http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/
Notes: Slimmer Shealy feeling confident
02/21/2006
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Much of the attention Colorado prospect Ryan Shealy received on Tuesday dealt with his looks. The drop of 15-17 pounds since the end of last season, which puts the 6-foot-5 Shealy at 235, is designed to allow him to play outfield as well as first base.
How Shealy plays is more important than how he looks, and he arrives with confidence thanks to his most recent performance. In Phoenix in November, Shealy batted .500 (10-for-20) while leading a group of prospects representing the U.S. to the championship of a qualifying tournament that kept the country alive for the 2008 Olympics.
"It was a blast," said Shealy, who batted .330 with two home runs in 36 Major League games and .329 with 28 homers at Triple-A Colorado Springs last year. "It was a great group of guys and a good experience. [In 2004], we didn't qualify. I was happy to be a part of it."
Shealy is trying to keep the presence of Todd Helton at first base from truncating his at-bats. Manager Clint Hurdle said Shealy would play primarily in right field at Coors if left-handed hitting Brad Hawpe is not in the lineup. Jeff Baker, another power-hitting infield prospect, also is following the Shealy plan.
At least he knows: Staying low-key this spring is right-hander Chin-hui Tsao, the story of last year's camp when he earned the closer job. Tsao experienced shoulder trouble late in last spring, began the year on the disabled list and, after some encouraging regular-season outings, was shelved for the year. He is not expected back until June.
On May 25, doctors repaired Tsao's superior labrum and cleaned out the fraying of the rotator cuff. He won't be ready for Major League action until at least June, but he has reason to rejoice.
Over the previous two years, Tsao had occasional flare-ups in the area. Members of the team's medical staff couldn't pinpoint the exact nature of the problem.
Now Tsao, 24, hopes he's a healthier pitcher through surgery. Tsao underwent elbow surgery in 2001.
"My elbow, my shoulder, everything is going to be brand new," Tsao said, laughing.
Tsao threw off a mound briefly before Spring Training and is hoping to do so again next week. He has also participated in fielding drills. Tsao said he just wants to make it back to the Majors this season, no matter what role is available.
"I hope to come back before my birthday, June 2 -- maybe on my birthday," he said.
Duty calls for him to stay: Right-hander Jose Acevedo said he had not heard as of Tuesday morning whether he was being picked up by the Dominican Republic for the World Baseball Classic, so he made the decision easy.
"I think I have a better chance staying here," said Acevedo, in camp under a Minor League contract. "I'm a little bit disappointed, a little bit sad. But this [tournament] is one time in four years. [Spring Training] is every year."
Acevedo had an opportunity last season to secure a role in Colorado's future as a spot starter and reliever, but struggled (2-4, 6.47 ERA). Acevedo is not included in the competition for the fifth starter spot, but he said he has prepared himself to be a starter.
Weight off the mind: Catcher JD Closser is a less-beefy 195 pounds, but extra weight wasn't all he left behind after struggling to a .219 batting average and some harrowing defensive problems last season as a rookie. The Rockies are planning to send him to Triple-A Colorado Springs to start this season.
The rough 2005 campaign dented Closser's confidence, but the ability to relax after the season helped him lose some of the mental weight.
"I think it was good to sit back and really evaluate what happened," said Closser, who said the new physical look was a matter of training and monitoring how much he ate. "I think that's what taking the whole month of October off did, just reflecting and spending time with my family and realizing that it's just a game and people have bad years. It's not like it's the first time that's happened to somebody."
Source: http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/
Torrealba excited for new role
02/21/2006
TUCSON, Ariz. -- The task for new Colorado catcher Yorvit Torrealba is familiar: be patient. This time, it will be a lot more fun being patient in the batter's box than on the bench.
Passed over the last two years by San Francisco and this winter by Seattle, Torrealba received his long-awaited big chance when the Rockies acquired him this winter from the Mariners for pitcher Marcos Carvajal. Torrealba, 27, is paired in Colorado with defensive specialist Danny Ardoin, but he is at the age and in the situation for a breakout -- if he doesn't try to do too much with the bat.
His defense helped get him to the Majors with the Giants in 2001 and kept him there to stay the following season, and his .260 batting average in 2002 seemed a sign that he could be special. But his attempt to make an impression in sporadic playing time over the next three seasons fostered bad offensive habits. Torrealba dipped to .227 in 2004 and was not much better last year, batting .234 in 76 games split between San Francisco and Seattle.
"I'm trying to be more patient at the plate -- it's been my biggest issue," said Torrealba, who has a .250 batting average and a .315 on-base percentage in 262 career games. "I don't strike out that much and I put the ball in play a lot, but sometimes the patience is what gets me in trouble. I start swinging at everything."
It's easy to understand how Torrealba tried to do so much with each opportunity. It wasn't as if he could be assured of earning another.
Veteran Benito Santiago was the catcher when Torrealba was first called up, but the Giants signed A.J. Pierzynski for 2004 and Mike Matheny before last season. The Giants sent Torrealba and pitcher Jesse Foppert to the Mariners last July 30 for outfielder Randy Winn, but Torrealba's chance to start all but vanished when the Mariners signed star Japanese catcher Kenji Johjima this past offseason.
Torrealba has thrown out 35.5 percent of would-be basestealers in his career, so there was a place for him somewhere. The Rockies avoided arbitration by signing him for $850,000, with the opportunity to bring that to $1 million with 115 starts at catcher and 425 plate appearances.
"We knew from what we saw that he was a good defensive catcher," Colorado bench coach Jamie Quirk said. "The evaluation of his offense is, you never know because he didn't get enough reps. He handled the staff very, very well and kept control of the game. He's been on our radar for a couple years."
At home in Venezuela this winter, however, Torrealba wondered if Colorado would switch signals, like his previous teams.
"It keeps happening to me," he said, smiling. "But because I was playing winter ball, I wasn't really looking in the paper. It was on my mind, a little bit, honestly. I'm just glad that they didn't."
Torrealba now can have his patience rewarded, instead of just being tested.
Source: http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/
Rox trio fighting for fifth starter spot
02/22/2006
TUCSON, Ariz. -- The back of the Colorado Rockies pitching rotation is in the front of manager Clint Hurdle's mind.
Right-handers Zach Day, Josh Fogg and Sunny Kim, all of whom have experienced varying degrees of Major League success, are the prime competitors. Righty prospect Mike Esposito will get a look, righty Jose Acevedo pines for a chance and the Rockies could stretch out Keiichi Yabu, who pitched exclusively in relief for Oakland last season but had a long career as a starter in Japan before then. The ones that don't prevail could land in the Rockies bullpen and easily end up getting chances to start down the road.
According to statistician John Dewan of ACTA Sports, 2005 fifth starters, which he defined as those remaining after the "four best" starters (determined by opponents' on-base plus slugging percentages) averaged a 14-21 record and 5.37 ERA. But on playoff teams, the numbers were 16-16 and 4.99, and playoff team's No. 5 starters went .500 in 2004. The trend suggests that teams don't need dominant No. 5s, but they can't have easy marks, either.
St. Louis' No. 5s led baseball at 17-10, 3.49 ERA, and other playoff teams among the top 10 in the survey were Atlanta (second), the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (ninth) and the World Series champion Chicago White Sox (10th). Only San Diego (12-21, 5.51 ERA), which won a weak division at barely above .500, had fifth starters worse than three games below .500.
"The fifth starter has probably been the Achilles starter for every ballclub in the Major Leagues for quite a while," Hurdle said.
Hurdle said he'd like to see the No. 4 and No. 5 starters pitch better than .500 with a high number of decisions, meaning they'd eat innings to save wear on the bullpen.
Here's a look at the top candidates:
• Day: Shortly after acquiring Day from Washington for outfielder Preston Wilson, Colorado dealt right-hander Shawn Chacon to the New York Yankees. On the night of the Chacon trade, general manager Dan O'Dowd noted that Day could replace Chacon in the club's future plans because he had similar talent but was at a payroll-friendly stage of his career.
Chacon helped the Yankees to the playoffs. Day, rehabbing a wrist injury at the time of the trade, went 0-1 with a 7.15 ERA in five games with Colorado before his season ended when he was hit in the right hand with a line drive on Sept. 17.
Day isn't pressuring himself.
"I just want to get the opportunity to go out there and throw innings and just prove that I can go out there and try to stay healthy," said Day, a combined 1-3 with a 6.85 ERA in 17 games, eight starts. "Sometimes you can't avoid that, obviously. I feel right now I'm in the right frame of mind as far as that goes. I've got last year behind me and I've been enjoying myself."
In 2004, Day went 5-10 but posted a comparatively strong 3.93 ERA in 19 starts with Washington. Other than just trying to stay away from line drives, Day hopes to make this a better year with a more detailed conditioning program. Ken Walter, a personal trainer from Cincinnati (where Day spends his offseasons), studied the baseball program at Athletes Performance Institute in Tempe, Ariz., came up with an offseason program for Day and will stay in contact throughout the season.
• Fogg: After offering Pittsburgh some encouragement by going 33-31 with a 4.70 ERA from 2002-04, Fogg faltered to 6-10 with a 5.05 ERA last season. Judged expendable because of other young starters, Fogg was not tendered an offer.
A former closer at the University of Florida, Fogg understood that the sooner he got over the disappointing season the better.
"When the season is over, I drive home," said Fogg, who lives in Tampa, Fla. "I drove from Pittsburgh, took about three days to get home. I take my time and just think about the season. But once I get out of the car, I know what I need to work on and it's something I do for the rest of the offseason, but I don't dwell on the negatives anymore."
Fogg, 29, has the right pitch mix for Coors Field, a sinker and a changeup. He also shakes off bad occurrences fairly well. He is a ground-ball pitcher, but his mistakes tend to fly -- he has given up 94 home runs in 697 1/3 career innings, yet has been competitive.
"My sinker and changeup are going to be two effective pitches for me to keep that guy off balance, try to get guys to miss-hit as many balls as I can," he said.
• Kim: Kim, 28, is scheduled to leave camp on Thursday, along with Rockies No. 4 starter Byung-Hyun Kim, and they will fly to Tokyo to represent Korea in the World Baseball Classic. Kim is proud for the chance, but hopes it doesn't cost him his chance to earn the rotation spot.
He may be out of sight, but he hopes his performance after being claimed off waivers from Washington last season isn't out of the Rockies' minds. Kim went 5-1 with a 4.22 ERA in 12 games, including 4-1, 4.60 ERA in eight starts.
"I keep telling them, just give me a chance," Kim said. "I know I can do it, but I know right now I'm going to the WBC so they'll not see me two or three weeks. So for me, minus. But I tell you one more time, I'm ready. I've found my confidence, if they give me a chance."
Kim struggled in Washington (1-2, 6.14 ERA in 12 games). He wound up in the doghouse of demanding manager Frank Robinson, but Kim said his problems were due to internal pressure that he couldn't quite explain. The young Colorado roster -- he and Fogg are the oldest possible rotation members -- and the presence of Byung-Hyun Kim calmed him, and he found proper mechanics at altitude.
"I wanted to remind my mechanics, that's why I just started earlier," said Kim, who began his throwing program in November instead of December or January as in the past. "Now I feel better."
Source: http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/
Notes: Efficient King ready for season
02/22/2006
TUCSON, Ariz. -- New Colorado left-handed reliever Ray King pitches often -- an average of slightly over 80 appearances over the last five seasons -- but that's fine, as long as he doesn't pitch for long.
King learned about pitch efficiency early in his career. As he broke in with Milwaukee in 2000 and 2001 under current Rockies pitching coach Bob Apodaca, another member of the Brewers' staff made it a financial issue.
"Gary Matthews coached there and we used to have this game where if I pitched a full inning and I threw 15 pitches or less, he'd owe me $20," King said. "If I threw over 15, I'd owe him $20."
King, 32, said whenever he faces the Cubs, Matthews, now on that staff, still keeps a count. King can afford to pay up a little better now -- he'll earn $2.5 million this season, the second year of a two-year, $4.6 million deal -- but nonetheless he has learned that he pitches better when he holds onto his Andrew Jacksons.
Efficiency could make him a money pitcher for the Rockies, who plan to use him as a lefty setup man for lefty closer Brian Fuentes. Manager Clint Hurdle said he'll keep 70 appearances as a guideline, keeping in mind that the altitude and Coors Field tends to wear on pitchers.
In 2004, King held opposing hitters to a .197 batting average while appearing in 62 innings over 82 games for matchup-conscious St. Louis manager Tony La Russa. A secret to his success was he averaged 15.3 pitches per inning. But last season, King saw his per-inning average rise to 16.3 -- an indication of less consistency -- and batters tagged him for a .293 average.
King went through a rough 2005 -- during which his father died after a long illness -- but still managed to appear in 77 games and go 4-4 with a 3.38 ERA.
"I'm the type that never tries to use something for an excuse, especially for people that have been through it, if you're working a normal 9-to-5 job," he said. "If you lose your father or you go through a whole year knowing that he's going to be in God's hands soon, it's not really the person that's sick, it's the people that are around him, like my mom. I still went out to the ballpark every day and competed.
"A lot of the guys who came to the park every day and competed with nothing going on had a worse year than me."
Apodaca said he is seeing the fruits of what began in Milwaukee. King arrived with a 94-95 mph fastball but needed encouragement to throw a slider that has been good for him.
"He showed me his slider was his command pitch," Apodaca said. "I told him, 'You get behind in the count, throw it anyway.' He started throwing the breaking ball with the fastball."
However King mixes his pitches, he figures the fewer of them a batter sees, the better. Quick, quiet innings don't yield many highlights, but they do help win games.
"The less you're out three, the less you're seen," King said. "Don't get a lot of TV time, and stay away from SportsCenter."
Ready for anything: Luis Gonzalez arrives as the starting second baseman, but is prepared just in case the Rockies want to use him in a "super-utility" role -- where he would still get close to a full season's worth of starts, but at more than one position.
Gonzalez, who has hit .292 in each of his first two Major League seasons, played primarily third base in the Venezuelan Winter League, and is the first option if Garrett Atkins needs a rest. Gonzalez can play shortstop and the corner outfield positions, and the Rockies have veteran utilityman Jamey Carroll to play second when Gonzalez is out or at another spot.
"I'm going to be the second baseman and this is great for me, but I just want to play," Gonzalez said. "It's OK if they want me to play third base or the outfield. I just want to play a lot and get at-bats."
No waiting: All position players reported to Tucson by Wednesday, the club's reporting day. However, Hurdle said right-handed pitcher Nate Field has left camp because of a family matter.
Who's first? Hurdle said his leadoff hitter strategy will not be a mystery for long. Hurdle said he'll let the two candidates, shortstop Clint Barmes and center fielder Cory Sullivan, know his plans soon.
"Kind of like the Opening Day starter [the Rockies will decided between right-handed pitchers Aaron Cook and Jason Jennings], I really don't want them to feel that Spring Training, we're going to figure out from that who's going to lead off," Hurdle said. "I think we're going to move it around a little bit. There are going to be some matchups where it's going to be more advantageous to lead off Cory, and there are some where it's going to be more advantageous to lead off Barmes."
Source: http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/
Notes: Francis adding to arsenal
02/23/2006
TUCSON, Ariz. -- A new year brings a new pitch, possibly two, for Colorado's second-year left-hander Jeff Francis.
On Thursday, Francis threw a "live" batting practice session -- meaning at full speed from behind a protective screen, with the batter swinging as if in a game -- as part of his preparation for his first start for Canada in the World Baseball Classic. It was as good a time as any for him to test a two-seam, sinking fastball that he developed over the winter and a variation of his regular four-seam fastball that he began using last September.
"I was getting the ball down better -- and if it helps me do that -- then definitely, I'll take it out there," Francis said. "I need to be able to harness that and do it when I want to."
Francis, 25, was Colorado's best wire-to-wire pitcher in 2005, when he went 14-12 with a 5.68 ERA and led the team in wins as a rookie, but he wants to improve.
The four-seam variation grew out of a problem last season. Francis wanted to get his fastball inside against right-handed batters, but sometimes it would drift back over the plate. Toward the end of the season, Francis' two Minor League pitching coaches, Bob McClure, now with the Kansas City Royals, and Bo McLaughlin joined Apodaca with the big club. The result was a suggestion that resulted with a straighter pitch that eliminated the drift into the hitter's zone.
The two-seamer could help get ground balls and quicker innings. Both fastballs were fine on Thursday, according to catcher Danny Ardoin, who batted against Francis.
"He worked on it, obviously, this offseason," Ardoin said. "Impressive. He looked good."
Finding consistency is more important to Francis than tinkering. A long phone conversation with Apodaca in January helped him crystallize his approach.
"The biggest things [we discussed] were the things we talked about in September that helped me through that slump I was going through in August," said Francis, who went 2-0 with a 2.65 ERA in his final three starts after a 2-5, 8.69 ERA skid over eight starts. "They're the same things I'm trying to take out here -- taking it slow, taking it easy, not trying to do too much with pitches. So far, that's helped me keep the ball down and hit the glove a little bit more."
Making their points, from afar: Right-handed pitcher David Cortes and catcher Miguel Ojeda will leave camp after the Rockies' March 2 game to join Team Mexico in Phoenix for the World Baseball Classic, trusting that they can continue to impress while away from camp.
It's especially sticky in Cortes' case. Cortes' 2005 performance (2-1, 4.50 ERA) earned consideration for this year's bullpen, but numerous veteran additions and the possibility of some starter types falling into bullpen roles has left his spot on the roster tenuous.
"It's important for me to be here in Spring Training because I don't know what's going to happen, but I'm not going to break my head thinking about it," Cortes said.
Cortes will trust that organization evaluators will keep up with his progress. He said he wants to help baseball's popularity in his country.
"For baseball, it's important for us to make headlines and important for people to know that there's something other than futbol -- soccer," he said.
The Rockies claimed Ojeda off waivers from Seattle after last season in an effort to build depth and improve the defense. But Colorado later traded with Seattle for Yorvit Torrealba, who they plan to use in tandem with Ardoin. Ojeda has not only dropped to third on the depth chart but was also taken off the Major League roster.
His presence gives the Rockies a Major League-caliber defensive catcher in case of injury. Also, Ojeda can play the outfield in a pinch.
"If they want to send me to Triple-A, I'll go, but I just want to do all I can to make the decision hard for them, that's it," he said.
Right-handers Byung-Hyun Kim, entrenched as the fourth starter, and Sunny Kim, battling for the fifth spot, will represent Korea and are scheduled to leave camp on Thursday. They will leave Los Angeles on Friday for Tokyo, where the Asian countries will participate in pool play.
On the Rox: Colorado will conduct its first full-squad workout on Friday, after manager Clint Hurdle addresses the club.
"I'm going to tell them, 'Look around, there's too much talent here to dream small,' " Hurdle said. "There are too many good players to dream small. Every year, we have gone in with an air of optimism and a lot of hope attached to it. I think this year, there's still hope -- but not as much -- and there's more substance to go with the hope."
The Rockies have reached an agreement on a Minor League contract with outfielder Ernie Young, who has played in the Majors with Oakland (1994-97), Kansas City (1998), Arizona (1999), Detroit (2003) and Cleveland (2004). The Rockies also have a Minor League deal with infielder Jesse Garcia, who has played with Baltimore (1999-2000), Atlanta (2001-04) and San Diego (2005). Neither was invited to big-league camp. ... Hurdle said non-roster right-hander Nate Field, who left camp to take care of a family issue, will be back in camp on Saturday. Hurdle did not discuss specifics out of respect for Field, but said things are "headed in the right direction."
Source: http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/
Rockies staff looking for more strikes
02/23/2006
TUCSON, Ariz. -- For the first two months of the 2005 season, Colorado's pitching staff literally walked a path toward the record books and the team stumbled to 15-35. Then suddenly, inexplicably even, Rockies pitchers found the strike zone.
"It wasn't anything I said or we said," pitching coach Bob Apodaca said. "If that were the case, I'd say it all the time. I'd call them every afternoon and leave it on their answering machines."
There was a price for waking up too late. A squad of mostly rookies and second-year players, Colorado improved to 52-60 from June 1 and 30-28 from Aug. 1. But 2005 still is most remembered for a 67-95 finish, which tied with the 1993 expansion year for worst in franchise history.
So the Rockies are emphasizing better control from the starters at the beginning of the season, and the numbers show that trimming walks is a good way to beef up the win column.
"I guess as much as anything, we're letting them know that we believe they can do this," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "They're going to get the opportunity to go and do it, and it's not an area that we're going to have a lot of tolerance for. That's one thing that wears on a ballclub."
Colorado averaged 4.91 walks per nine innings for the first 50 games. By comparison, when the Rockies set a 162-game Major League record for walks with 737 in 1999, the per-nine average was 4.64.
But for the final four months, Colorado reduced its walk rate to 3.38 per nine, almost a middle-of-the-road figure. For the season, San Diego was 15th among the 30 teams at 3.11.
The Rockies went into the All-Star break leading baseball in walks with 361, four more than Tampa Bay and 37 more than Pittsburgh. But by season's end, Colorado's 604 free passes were third most behind Tampa Bay's 615 and Pittsburgh's 612.
It's not as if the strike zone didn't come up during last Spring Training. As in years past, and as is the case this year, the Rockies used ropes to frame the lower portion of the strike zone for early bullpen sessions. Early throwing sessions were devoted to fastball command, as usual.
Yet, Jason Jennings walked 42 and struck out 40 in his first 65 2/3 innings. Rookie Jeff Francis, whose control got him into the rotation, had 14 walks to nine strikeouts in April. Shawn Chacon and Jamey Wright each walked 20 in May, although Chacon (3.34 ERA for the month) was better at preventing runs than Wright (6.06 ERA over the same period). After posting 117 strikeouts and 67 walks in 2004, Joe Kennedy had a mediocre 52 strikeouts to 44 walks before he was traded to Oakland in July.
"We took it personal," Hurdle said. "Our pitching coach, our bullpen coach, everybody took it personal. You know that's not part of the equation to be a successful ballclub."
Jennings experienced an about-face, with 36 strikeouts and 26 walks from June 1 until he suffered a season-ending finger fracture on July 20.
"I just tried to be more aggressive," Jennings said. "Sometimes it takes a little bit at the beginning of the year to get comfortable with your delivery or just being in that environment again. You've just got to tell yourself to be aggressive."
Francis fanned 83 and walked 38 after All-Star break. After the break, Byung-Hyun Kim struck out 56 and walked 36, and Sunny Kim had 38 strikeouts to 13 walks after joining the club in August. Aaron Cook struck out 24 and walked 16 in 83 1/3 innings after returning in late August from surgery to correct pulmonary blood clots.
"It was night and day, and therein lies some of the reason for our success in the second half," Apodaca said. "We greatly reduced the walks and we played excellent defense. Those two things go hand in hand, limiting the baserunners and forcing them to beat you."
Jennings, Cook, Francis and Byung-Hyun Kim are back in the rotation. Sunny Kim is competing for the fifth spot with Zach Day and Josh Fogg. How do the Rockies prevent this group from walking the team to last place in the National League West again? One key is finding a positive way, rather than dwelling on warnings that can become self-fulfilling.
"People tell you [not to] think about something -- what are you going to think about?" Francis said.
The Rockies have some pitchers capable of high strikeout totals, but Hurdle said they can run into problems when their emphasis on not having balls hit makes them throw pitches that don't merit a swing. So Hurdle found a simple way of emphasizing that poorly hit balls are just as good as swings and misses, if not better because they lead to quicker innings.
"When you look at the whole bat, the part that hurts you is that barrel -- 2 1/2 to 3 inches long and half an inch wide," Hurdle said. "If you miss that, a lot of good things are going to happen. I tried to redirect their focus a little bit."
Now, the Rockies will have to direct their pitches properly from the beginning.
Source: http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/
Notes: Jennings gets the call
02/24/2006
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Right-hander Jason Jennings was a part of the Colorado Rockies' current building plan before it actually was formed. Now he wants to lead the way to making the plan work.
Rockies manager Clint Hurdle announced on Friday, after the Rockies' first full-squad workout, that Jennings will start on Opening Day, April 3, at home against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Jennings has started one other opener, but that was in 2003, before he was ready for the leadership of the Rockies' staff. Jennings said he is ready now.
"I started with the Rockies, obviously, and I've been through all of our ups and downs the last five years," said Jennings, who also said he is in line to start the Spring Training opener against the Chicago White Sox on March 1. "I'd like to be the guy that sticks it through and readies the ship and gets us to where we need to be, which is a playoff berth at some point."
Jennings made his debut in 2001 and earned National League Rookie of the Year honors in 2002. That season, Jennings finished 16-8, outperformed big-money signees Mike Hampton and Denny Neagle, and became a key cog in a subsequent youth movement.
Jennings struggled with such a high ceiling in 2003, when he gave up eight runs in four innings of the 10-4 Opening Day loss at Houston -- where he had plenty of family and friends on hand from his Dallas home.
He has been inconsistent since his rookie year, going 29-34 with a 5.23 ERA, mainly due to slow starts followed by turnarounds. Last year, he was in the midst of a rebound when he suffered a fractured finger on July 20, and finished 6-9 with a 5.02 ERA. It was the first time he finished with fewer than double figures in victories when he started the season with the club.
Last year, Jennings stewed when the Rockies gave the Opening Day start to Joe Kennedy, who fizzled to a 4-8 record with a 7.04 ERA, before being traded to Oakland on July 13. This time, the decision was between Jennings and fellow righty Aaron Cook, who merited consideration with his 7-2 mark and 3.67 ERA after recovering from surgery to correct blood clots in both lungs.
Jennings said coming up in the system with Cook made the decision less of an emotional issue. Cook will start the second regular-season game, against Arizona on April 5.
"It's Jason's time to take the next step, and sometimes when players can't get to certain places, it's up to a coach to take them there," Hurdle said. "I want him to know going in that I've got the confidence in him to do that. By giving him the ball Opening Day, I can't make a bigger statement than that."
Pitching coach Bob Apodaca said, "For us to dream big this year, Jason is going to have to be a very, very integral part of that."
Loud introduction: Power-hitting third baseman Ian Stewart, Colorado's top pick in 2003, made himself the talk of the complex on Friday when he launched a batting practice home run that soared over a parking lot beyond the fence. Some with good angles said it hit the outer wall of the batting tunnel several feet beyond the lot.
"I'm not sure where it hit, but it sure made a loud sound," hitting coach Duane Espy said.
"Ian Stewart is a well-thought-of player, not only by us, but throughout baseball," said Hurdle, "and he's received some accolades along the way. Other than that, I just want Ian Stewart to go play, and I'm going to let him go play. As he gets more experience, we'll see how he plays."
Stewart and 2005 No. 1 pick Troy Tulowitzki, a shortstop, will be in Major League camp as long as there is enough playing time to make it worthwhile for both.
Another distraction gone: Rockies CEO Charlie Monfort visited camp briefly on Friday before heading back to Denver. It was a bright, clear day at Hi Corbett Field, symbolic of what Monfort hoped to accomplish when he granted Hurdle and general manager Dan O'Dowd contract extensions through 2007 just before camp started.
"People said, 'Why didn't you wait and see how the season starts playing out before you extend them?'" Monfort said. "We want to concentrate and not have any distractions. Just the fact that everybody was saying, 'Why don't you just wait?' led me to believe the media would have loved to have been battering that around all spring and all the first part of the season. We took that away.
"We felt very comfortable that we've got the two right guys for this team. Going forward, I think our young guys have shown Dan's staff has been successful in scouting and development, and we think Clint's the man to bring it together."
On the Rox: Buck Martinez, manager for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, visited the Rockies' camp on Friday. Colorado left fielder Matt Holliday and left-handed pitcher Brian Fuentes will play for Martinez. ... For people partial to purple, don't distress. The purple alternative jersey, worn at home and on the road, has not been retired. It drifted out of circulation after Kennedy and Shawn Chacon were traded. The starting pitcher picks the jersey for each Colorado game. In addition to purple, Colorado had a white home jersey, and a gray road jersey with purple pinstripes, a white sleeveless jersey with the pinstripes for home, and a black sleeveless for either home or road.
Source: http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/
Rockies' Jimenez could hit big time
02/25/2006
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Colorado pitching prospect Ubaldo Jimenez smiled at his most prominent memory of his first Major League Spring Training, in 2005.
"Ryan Klesko hit two home runs off me," Jimenez said. "Of course, I'd love to see him again."
Last year was about a personal memory, but this year is a chance for the right-handed Jimenez, 22, to leave a positive image on the minds of Colorado's staff and front office. Finally fully healthy after suffering a stress reaction in his shoulder in 2004 and spending 2005 regaining his form, Jimenez has a clear shot to pitch his way to the Majors before season's end.
In 2003, Jimenez struck out 145 in 158 2/3 innings in Class A. He continued his rise in early 2004, with a 4-1 record, a 2.23 ERA and 61 strikeouts in 44 1/3 innings at advanced Class A Visalia. He tried a late-season comeback, but lasted just two pitches.
Jimenez spent much of last season regaining his fastball and posted better numbers at Class A Modesto (5-3, 3.98 ERA, 78 strikeouts in 72 1/3 innings) than at Double-A Tulsa (2-5, 5.43, 53 SO, 63 IP). But Jimenez was patient with himself, and by season's end was working on the changeup and curveball that put him a cut above pitchers at his level before the injury.
"Right now, I feel I'm the old Ubaldo Jimenez -- I'm back," he said. "My changeup was very good, but my curve, I knew it was better than that. So in the offseason, I worked on it. Right now, it's not where I want it to be, but I know I've got it."
If he is the old Jimenez, he could be a new face in the Majors soon.
"The injury, obviously, is not something you plan for and it's not something he'd plan for," said Rockies player development director Marc Gustafson. "It was a speed bump in his fast track. Toward the end, he was starting to clean up his mechanics a little bit, starting to get back to what we saw."
Jimenez had a head start on Spring Training. He and the other Dominican prospects in camp -- Juan Morillo, Sandy Nin, Ramon Ramirez and Eduardo Sierra -- participated with younger prospects in a mini-camp at a facility the Rockies and Cleveland share in Boca Chica.
"His velocity is back," Gustafson said. "He's comfortable pitching 94-95 (mph), but he can touch 96, 97, 98, and he was back to that at the end of the season. He's been in the Dominican in the mini-camp that we just had. He was back and he was even higher than that, velocity-wise."
The plan is to send Jimenez to Double-A, but to be prepared to promote him if he dominates, and a Major League debut would be within reason.
Jimenez can plant that seed with the Major Legaue personnel during Spring Training. With starters Jeff Francis, Byung-Hyun Kim and Sunny Kim away from camp at the World Baseball Classic, Jimenez and other young pitchers could get more significant innings.
"I'm going to do everything possible to show them I'm ready, whenever they want me," Jimenez said. "We're all going to have a chance to show what we can do."
Source: http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/
Helton not planning to fade away
02/25/2006
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Todd Helton takes locker space in a rear corner of the Rockies' Spring Training clubhouse at Hi Corbett Field. With a column of other players' cubicles blocking the view of his from the entryway, it's easy to forget he's back there.
During the early part of 2005, Helton was visible but his production wasn't. There was physical and mental wear and tear that he didn't discuss during the year. There was his first disabled list placement, because of a calf strain in late July, and a revelation when his team won seven of its final nine games without him.
Helton finished with a remarkable resurgence, adding 70 points to his batting average in the final 78 games to bring his final number to .320. The Rockies are relying on mostly young players in their attempt to improve a 67-95 record -- tied with the inaugural 1993 season for worst in franchise history.
But a key question is whether Helton, 32, is in a period of decline as the first half of last season suggested or merely continuing his education as the leader of a squad that's beginning to harbor high aspirations. Helton smiled and warned that he isn't fading away anytime soon.
"It may seem like I had a bad year last year, but I still ended up fifth in the league in hitting," Helton said. "At least give me a little bit of a break here."
Helton never missed games because of his back, already a concern when it flared late in the 2002 season. But after not hitting .300 in any of the first three months of the season, it was clear something was amiss. He kept the back quiet until after the season and only now is revealing that there was more, although specifics are not for public consumption.
"I can make all kinds of good excuses, but plain and simple, it was my head," Helton said. "I wasn't in the right frame of mind to be a good hitter. I had some other off-the-field stuff that played more in my head that I know is better now. I'll be able to work through it and I'll hopefully be better."
With doctors having corrected an additional problem by removing a "floating body" from his right elbow just before Spring Training and with a physical routine that doesn't threaten the back, Helton feels healthy.
With his mind clear, Helton is attacking the lingering question of whether he can regain the power that made him a star. In 2000, he led the National League with a .372 batting average and hit 42 home runs, and he followed with a .336 average and 49 homers the following year. Helton dropped to 30 and 33 homers the following two years and needed to knock one on his next-to-last at-bat last season to reach 20.
Even as his average rose, Helton felt his swing was off. The problem can be seen in his 2005 hit chart at Coors Field. All but one of Helton's 13 homers at home went from right field to right-center. In the past, the left-handed-hitting Helton deposited his homers from foul line to foul line.
"My bat was probably in the zone for one click if somebody was taking a picture, which didn't let me hit the ball to left field," he said. "I was just kind of sloppy with my swing the past couple of years. I just need to get back to staying through the baseball. If I do that, I may not hit 40 home runs, but I'll hit more home runs."
Now Helton is taking a new path to power and consistency. In the past, his way out of problems simply has been to work harder. Some of manager Clint Hurdle's toughest battles have been to get Helton to take a rest. But now Helton said his approach this spring is more planning than sweat.
"I'm a work in progress," he said. "Instead of just coming in getting my swings in, I really feel like I'm trying to execute something. I know the feeling that I want to feel, and hopefully, I can get to that point.
"I'll rest a little bit more. In Spring Training, you can't go into the cage and take 1,000 swings. I wouldn't be able to hit tomorrow if I did something like that."
Hurdle called it a concession to "humanity," and it's a welcome development. The next step -- convincing Helton to occasionally stay out of the lineup the day before an off-day -- could be much easier.
"When you're young and you've got a lot of energy, got a lot of skills, there's not a whole lot of things that you don't think you can do," Hurdle said. "And there's still not a lot he can't do. He's just got to be a little smarter with his ammo."
In a sense, Helton's 2005 injury helped feed the optimism for 2006. Seeing the team play well helped convince Helton that he wasn't wasting his career waiting for the Rockies' youth to grow into a winner. Under the nine-year, $141.5 million extension that began in 2003, he has the right to inform the Rockies after this season that he would like to void the deal after 2007.
But Helton, who has experienced just one winning season (2000) in his seven full seasons with the Rockies, has such a belief in his young teammates that he doesn't want to hear about anything but winning now.
"It's easy to be in that frame of mind when you truly believe that you've got a chance," Helton said. "Anybody can sit there and try to say the right things, but if you don't believe in your heart of hearts that you've got a chance, it's tough. I truly believe that if we don't get in the way of ourselves, we have a chance."
Helton will be front and center in the Rockies' bid to make the most of their chance.
Source: http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/
Notes: New surgery benefits Spilborghs
02/25/2006
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Every Spring Training drill that Colorado outfield prospect Ryan Spilborghs completes represents a thumbs up for an advanced technique in orthopedic surgery.
Spilborghs, 26, is competing for an outfield position or at least trying to demonstrate that he is a viable option during the season. He helped his prospects this past winter in Mexico by batting .287 with a .389 on-base percentage, but saw his season cut short by tendinitis in his right knee.
Enter Santa Barbara orthopedic surgeon Dr. Chris Proctor, who repaired Spilborghs' knee with a new, advanced technique. Proctor obtained bone marrow from Spilborghs' hip and injected it into the patella tendon to spur the body's bleeding process, which in turn quickens the healing process.
Spilborghs is a believer.
"I haven't had to sit out any drills," said Spilborghs, who batted a combined .340 in Double-A and Triple-A and went 1-for-2 in his lone Major League game. "After the surgery, I sat on the couch for about 10 days and then I was good to go."
Rockies head trainer Keith Dugger said the club didn't encourage or discourage Spilborghs' decision. The technique is one that the Rockies' doctors are not familiar with, so Dugger said watching Spilborghs is an educational endeavor. Dugger said the technique apparently follows the same principle as the microfracture surgery, in which tiny fractures are created to spur the body to repair itself.
"I think the key is it took care of the area that was irritated," Dugger said. "If it works, great. It's something that we haven't seen."
Off the bench: Purchasing infielder Jamey Carroll from Washington gave the Rockies the potential for pinch-hitting possibilities they haven't had since John Vander Wal and Greg Colbrunn wore purple pinstripes together during the 1998 season.
Last year, left-handed-hitting Jorge Piedra pinch-hit .455, best in the Majors. The right-handed-hitting Carroll has batted .346 in 52 pinch-hit at-bats. Carroll, 32, said he takes pinch-hitting seriously.
"It's just paying attention and doing your homework, knowing who you could be facing, preparing for him, knowing how much he has been throwing the last few days," Carroll said. "It's tough, but you just have to prepare yourself. I definitely saw what Piedra did last year, and that was good to know."
Among the big boys: Right-hander Manuel Corpas, 23, is 14-16 with a 4.27 ERA in a Minor League career during which he has not pitched above Class A. But by achieving mid-90s fastball velocity last season and pitching well this winter against many Major Leaguers in Venezuela (2-2, 2.42 ERA in 22 relief appearances), Corpas finds himself a rising prospect.
"I was surprised," Corpas said of his winter performance. "For someone my age to go out and compete with big-league players like that, it lets me know that I can compete."
Corpas can further his development at the World Baseball Classic, where he'll be a member of Panama's team. Corpas was on his country's roster for a pre-Olympic tournament in 2003 but did not get to pitch.
Wild card: Right-hander Keiichi Yabu, in camp under a Minor League contract after an up-and-down 2005 with Oakland, is a wild card in what figures to be two or three available bullpen spots.
The Rockies will try to prepare Yabu, 37, for multiple innings, although it's unclear if he could be available for spot-starts. Yabu started during his 11 seasons in Japan with the Hanshin Tigers.
Yabu went 4-0 with a 4.50 ERA in 40 relief appearances for Oakland, but lost the chance to pitch important innings as the season progressed. Yabu said he understood that he didn't pitch the important innings well, but is looking for a rebound.
"I appreciate the experience I gained in the first year," Yabu said through his interpreter, Yohei Fukuda. "They use a different baseball here than in Japan [where the ball is smaller and lighter], but now I'm used to that. I've made minor adjustments."
Hard-throwing impression: The absences of World Baseball Classic pitchers Jeff Francis, Byung-Hyun Kim and Sunny Kim mean chances for pitching prospects to get some time in camp. Already taking advantage is right-handed reliever Juan Morillo, who got early work in the Dominican Republic before camp. Friday, the first day of full-squad workouts, he was a pitcher that was ahead of the hitters.
Morillo touched triple figures on the radar gun last spring and displayed the same kind of velocity in the first workout.
"In 'live' BP [batting practice with the pitcher and hitter going full speed], the focus is supposed to be on control and command," Rockies player development director Marc Gustafson said. "But [veteran catcher Yorvit] Torrealba said he was really letting it go, and he was showing some command."
Intrasquad Monday: Right-handers Josh Fogg and Zach Day, two of the prime competitors for the fifth spot in the starting rotation, are scheduled to throw on opposite teams in an intrasquad game Monday. Left-handed closer Brian Fuentes is the only pitcher that's a lock to be on the squad that will throw in the game. Righties David Cortes and Yabu, both given legitimate chances to make the bullpen, also will appear.
It will be a chance for several pitchers that are candidates to pitch at Triple-A Colorado Springs at some point during the season to impress Major League coaches. Those pitchers include left-handers Justin Hampson and Zach Parker, and right-handers Ubaldo Jimenez, Juan Morillo, Judd Songster, Ramon Ramirez and Eduardo Sierra.
Source: http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/
Minor League report: Nix on the radar
02/26/2006
Hot topic: Second baseman Jayson Nix batted .213 and .236 the last two seasons at Double-A Tulsa, and therefore drifted out of the consciousness of those who rate prospects. But the Rockies have their minds and their eyes on him this camp.
There were small signs of a recovery last season. Nix, the Rockies' top 2001 pick (44th overall) had 38 extra-base hits (11 homers, 27 doubles) among his 118 total hits. Nix, 23, projected for Triple-A Colorado Springs, arrived this spring with a more comfortable swing.
"The thing I tried to do this offseason is just being natural," Nix said. "I'd always been pretty natural at the plate, and the last couple of years I've been trying a lot of stuff. You can look at your swing and analyze everything, and it's good to an extent, but you've got to be careful with it."
Rockies player development director Marc Gustafson said the Rockies haven't forgotten about Nix.
"Defensively, he's a Major League second baseman, so that's not an issue," Gustafson said. "We know [the offense] is in there because we've seen it. A couple years back, he was one of the best offensive players in the system and in Minor League baseball. Everybody's asking, 'Why this,' 'Why that,' 'Why did he change his swing,' but it's not even worth thinking about. He's back to where he was a couple of years ago."
On the move: Right-hander Sandy Nin, who missed the 2004 season because of elbow surgery, went 10-6 with a 3.19 ERA and 80 strikeouts to 16 walks at Double-A Tulsa. "He had a good Double-A season. His first half was excellent," Gustafson said. "If he continues that in camp, he could be going to Triple-A. ... Three longtime pitching prospects, left-handers Justin Hampson and Zach Parker and righty Mike Esposito (who made his Major League debut in 2005) are in line to be key cogs in Triple-A Colorado Springs' pitching staff. ... Right-hander Manuel Corpas, who is slated to pitch for Panama in the World Baseball Classic, is penciled in for Double-A Tulsa along with righty reliever Jim Miller, the organization's pitcher of the year last season. Of course, mind-changing performances and injuries could change that.
They're No. 1: 3B Ian Stewart (2003) and SS Troy Tulowitzki (2005) are in Major League camp. Manager Clint Hurdle said they will stay as long as they can get regular at-bats and work in the field.
Names in the game: Special front office assistant Walt Weiss worked with Tulowitzki in the fall instructional program at Hi Corbett, and will get another look at him in camp. That's good, since he's going to have to look long and hard for anything major to correct.
"He's a big guy (6-3, 205 pounds) that moves around like a shortstop, yet he swings the bat like a big guy," Weiss said. "He's big, but he plays low when fielding ground balls, especially for someone his size. He moves laterally well and throws on the run well."
What they're saying: Gustafson said that no pitching prospect in camp is unveiling a new pitch. "The guys that are here have the same pitches. It's not as if they're adding new quirks or new pitches to their repertoire. They're sticking with what got them here."
Source: http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/
Notes: Speedy Sullivan bulks up a bit
02/26/2006
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Center fielder Cory Sullivan played well enough in September that the Colorado Rockies wanted to see more of him. This spring, there is, well, more of Sullivan.
Sullivan was generously listed at 180 pounds last season, his first in the Majors. Late in the year, he dipped below 170. But his performance did not wilt. His .387 batting average with a .454 on-base percentage for September helped solidify the center field job for 2006.
But this year, Sullivan, 26, reported to camp with a broader upper body and more muscular thighs, and weighed in at 192 pounds. More significantly, the speed that helped him cover the vast outfield at Coors has not been affected, mainly because retaining his ability to move was as important as increasing his size.
"My speed is good," Sullivan said. "I worked out with strength and flexibility and with my first step on the bases as well as the outfield. It feels good, feels consistent."
Now Sullivan must display the consistency needed to establish himself as the center fielder for years to come.
Sullivan missed 2004 because of elbow surgery and never played in Triple-A. He made the team last spring as a backup, and took over in center field when the Rockies traded Preston Wilson to Washington in July. Sullivan struggled so mightily that a demotion became possible, but he righted himself at the end of the year.
"I think I made some very good steps as a professional," Sullivan said. "I think the most important thing was comfort. I felt more comfortable every day, on an everyday basis in the outfield and at the plate and in the locker room, just everything. I think that makes your approach a lot easier. Plus, hitting in front of Todd Helton never hurts."
One of the questions Sullivan faces is whether he can hit two spaces in front of Helton, from the leadoff spot. Sullivan did his best hitting from No. 2, where he got consistent strikes and often was called upon to sacrifice runners into scoring position for Helton. As a result, Sullivan hit .357 from the No. 2 spot, compared to .245 as a leadoff man. Sullivan and shortstop Clint Barmes, who had a similar split (.358 at No. 2, .255 at leadoff), will share the No. 1 spot.
The Rockies traded Larry Bigbie, who is loaded with potential that he never got to show during an injury-filled late-season stint in Denver, to St. Louis this offseason. The team has thrown its support behind Sullivan, although he still must hold off several prospects for the job. Being more productive offensively and developing into a useful leadoff hitter will be a key.
Sullivan has the confidence of first base coach Dave Collins.
"If there's anybody that questions whether or not he's the center fielder of the future here, I don't know what game they're watching," said Collins, who noted that Sullivan covers just as much ground as ever, even with the added size. "I don't look for talent. I look for heart. When I find heart, I go with it, because I know I'm going to win."
All they can do: The Rockies have stored baseballs in a temperature- and humidity-controlled chamber, and have let the infield and outfield grass grow longer to get Coors Field to play more like a park at a lower altitude. But one idea whose time probably won't come is moving the fences closer to the plate.
The so-called "humidor" for the baseballs has been given credit in part for last season, when the park saw 170 home runs, second-fewest in Coors history. The longer grass is to prevent balls from rolling as quickly through the infield and the gaping spaces in the outfield.
Moving fences inward would decrease the spaces into which balls can drop. Coors led the Majors in hits last season, for example. But the structure of the park, with permanent seating behind the right- and left-field walls, would make moving fences difficult. Besides, general manager Dan O'Dowd isn't even sure that's the answer.
"You don't want to make any move unless it's a competitive advantage to you," O'Dowd said. "We've tracked every ball hit there the last six years, and I can't honestly tell you I think it would be an advantage to you. The ballpark is what it is. You've just got to play in it.
"I would think, at this stage, people ought to stop writing about it. Runs are going to be scored there. A different kind of baseball is played there. We're going to win our share of games there."
A new angle? Rockies left fielder Matt Holliday could get action in right for Team USA during the World Baseball Classic. An injury to Toronto outfielder Vernon Wells might have opened the door.
"I know that [United States manager] Buck [Martinez] asked 'Davy' [Collins] if I can play left field, possibly," Holliday said. "I'm just anxious to get going. Everybody's going to get a chance to play."
Signings: The Rockies have reached 2006 contract agreements with the following players: Barmes, right-handed pitcher Scott Dohmann, right-hander Mike Esposito, left-hander Jeff Francis, center fielder Choo Freeman, right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez, right-hander Juan Morillo, infielder Jayson Nix, infielder Omar Quintanilla, right-hander Ramon Ramirez, outfielder Jeff Salazar, infielder-outfielder Ryan Shealy and pitcher Eduardo Sierra.
If a player who has not reached arbitration eligibility doesn't sign by Thursday, the club can unilaterally renew his contract at a salary set by the clubs. This year, the Rockies say their signings will be according to a pay scale that starts at the Major League minimum for the season, $327,000. Each contract dictates a separate pay rate if the player is in the Minors.
Source: http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/
Notes: Baker making up for lost time
02/27/2006
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Colorado power-hitting prospect Jeff Baker isn't crying over lost at-bats.
Last year, Baker's time at Triple-A Colorado Springs was eventful in the injury department. He suffered a bruised nerve in his right thumb when he was hit by a pitch, a left thumb contusion when struck by a line drive in batting practice, and a beaning in the back of the head when he was trying to score -- not to mention a quadriceps strain. Then came left wrist injuries that hampered him the previous two years.
"I don't even get frustrated anymore," said Baker, who still managed a .330 average with 10 home runs and 41 RBIs in just 61 Triple-A games. "I came [into 2005] in good shape, and I was ready to go, physically ready to perform, and I didn't get to for whatever reasons.
"You're going to have some rough days, and I decided a little while ago that I wasn't going ride that roller-coaster anymore. Whether I have a good day or bad day, whether I'm healthy or I'm hurt, I take every day in stride."
A third-base prospect who signed a Major League contract after he was drafted in 2002, Baker, 24, is attempting to show he can play a corner outfield position. Ryan Shealy, a first baseman until now, is endeavoring to do the same thing.
Shealy has shown a little more than Baker in the Majors. He batted .330 with two homers and 16 RBIs in two callups last season, and logged significant time in Triple-A before arriving. Baker had never played as high as the Triple-A level, but stepped in at third base on Opening Day because of Garrett Atkins' hamstring injury.
Baker homered in the opener, but dropped to .212 with no more long balls and just four RBIs before he was sent down. Because injuries limited his number of at-bats, and because competition for at-bats was strong, the Rockies never recalled Baker.
On Monday, Baker went 2-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout in an intrasquad game during which just one run was scored. Baker played the whole time in right field, and nearly made a sliding grab. Shealy also played, going 0-for-4, but making a running grab in right. The key for Baker is making sure he doesn't lose his sharpness at third base.
"They want me to be ready for anything," Baker said. "Right now, I'm working with the outfielders a lot. They just want me to stay on the routine and get some ground balls. You never know what's going to happen.
"I don't care if people view me primarily as an infielder or primarily as an outfielder. If there's a need in the outfield, I'd like to play the outfield. If there's a need in the infield, I'd like to play the infield. The main thing is where I can fit in. Wherever that is, that's where it is."
Instrasquad inner workings: Baker and Omar Quintanilla led all players with two hits. ... The best sign of the day was that the pitchers had 13 strikeouts to three walks. ... Right-handed pitchers Josh Fogg and Zach Day each threw two scoreless innings. Fogg gave up three hits, and Day gave up two. Day fanned two and walked one, and Fogg struck out one.
Thinking of Wells: The news that Pittsburgh pitcher Kip Wells was diagnosed with a complete blockage of the axillary artery struck close to home in the Rockies' camp. It went much deeper than the fact that Rockies pitcher Aaron Cook had a blood clotting problem that required surgery by the same person that diagnosed Wells, Dr. Robert Thompson of St. Louis.
Pitcher Jason Jennings was a teammate of Wells' at Baylor University. Just before camp started, Jennings and Wells donated $50,000 each for a scoreboard project at Baylor's stadium. Jennings pitched in the alumni game, but Wells decided not to because of an arm problem. At the time, there was no indication the situation was serious.
"He had thrown a bullpen [session] the day before the workout we had down there, and he said it was sore and he didn't want to take a chance of making it more sore or whatever," Jennings said. "It just sounded like normal February soreness. Turns out it was something more serious. I'm glad he finally got it checked out and found out what it was."
Fogg, a former Pirate and a close friend of Wells, said he hasn't been able to reach Wells to find out more, but he has tried to educate himself.
"It's one of those things that I've been talking to 'Cookie' about to try to learn more about it, and he says it's a tough thing to go through," Fogg said. "[Wells] has had issues with his arm and his hand, not getting enough blood to his hand. It was getting worse. Hopefully this is something he can get corrected and [have it] be as good as it was.
"Kip's the type of guy that's going to work hard and be back. It's just tough to lose a year of your career, and he was up for free agency at the end of the year. So this affects next year, but everything happens for a reason."
Source: http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/
Mailbag: Piedra ready to rock?
02/27/2006
Why does Rockies manager Clint Hurdle seem so insistent on not giving Jorge Piedra a shot in center field? In a lineup that needs more weapons, I would think his contributions at the plate would be far more beneficial than the few steps he gives up in the outfield. -- Tim M., Valencia, Calif.
Hurdle is open to Piedra playing some center, but the manager is convinced he is better in the corners. Rather than hash out a decision that is the manager's prerogative -- there are arguments either way -- I'm going to assume that Cory Sullivan stays healthy and doesn't lose his job this spring with an offensive nosedive.
The real question is whether the Rockies will get Piedra enough starts to a) take advantage of his offensive potential, b) keep him sharp for pinch-hitting, and c) get him accustomed to playing full games in case slumps or injuries force the Rockies to give him extended opportunities.
The key will be getting Piedra something resembling regular at-bats. Hurdle has done that with past pinch-hit specialists, and it's part of the reason Greg Norton and Mark Sweeney flourished with the Rockies.
At the rate Piedra played last season (he spent much of the early portion of the year at Triple-A), he'd get into about 96 games over a full season. That's on par with a couple of other successful pinch-hitters last season, Milwaukee's Wes Helms (95 games) and San Diego's Robert Fick (93 games). He'd have had around 171 at-bats, again on par with Helms (168) but not Fick (230).
From a matchup standpoint, the best place for Piedra is in left when right-handed cleanup hitter Matt Holliday has a day off, and Piedra will see quite a bit of time in left this spring. With lefty-batting Brad Hawpe in right, the natural inclination will be to split him with a right-handed-hitting power guy like Ryan Shealy or Jeff Baker.
Whatever lineup gymnastics Hurdle has to perform, it's worthwhile based on the snippets of offense we've seen. Piedra has batted .305 with nine home runs in his first 203 Major League at-bats.
Do you see center-field prospect Jeff Salazar making the team? Does he have a future with the Rockies? -- Dan G., Syracuse, N.Y.
The Rockies love Salazar defensively, but the question is whether he can develop leadoff skills. The Rockies have worked with him for the past couple of years toward that end, but a .263 batting average and .349 on-base percentage at Triple-A Colorado Springs last year served as an indication that he still needs time. If he adds dependable leadoff work to his considerable defensive skills, he'll be pounding on the door.<