Battle for 3rd place: Colorado Rockie Preview
by meercatjohn on Jun 9, 2011 12:53 PM PDT
in Team Previews
Email
Print
Much has changed for the Rockies since our last preview.
Additions: Charles Blackmon, Eric Young, Juan Nicasio, Aaron Cook, Clay Mortensen, Chris Nelson
Subtractions: Jose Lopez, Felipe Paulino, Ian Stewart
On the DL: Dexter Fowler, Jorge De La Rosa
Position Breakdown
1st Base - Todd Helton is having a big resurgence, looking very much like the 2009 model with his .316/.384/.534 Triple Stat Line.
2nd Base - Jose Lopez lost the gig and his spot on the 25 man roster. Chris Nelson is trying to fill the spot with Jonathan Herrera and Eric Young Junior waiting for him to fail. He's had 23 plate appearances so far, so nothing to talk about yet. He was the 9th pick of the 2004 draft and it has taken him longer then anyone expected to find a spot on the Rockie roster. Scouting report per baseballhq.com
Chris Nelson (INF, COL)
In need of infield depth, the Rockies turned to the 25-year-old right-handed hitter. Nelson was a first round selection in the '09 draft and finally reached the majors in '10 - he hit .280 with 0 HR. He is an outstanding athlete who is starting to live up to lofty expectations. Nelson has the ability to hit for BA while showcasing his moderate power and speed. His pitch recognition is more than adequate, though he can be a little aggressive and expand the strike zone in the hopes of hitting for more pop. Nelson is a good defender with a strong arm, ample range, and soft hands and he can play any infield position. Injuries have taken their toll on him, but if given the opportunity, Nelson could still become a starting infielder in Colorado. He is a career .278/.342/.440 hitter with a high of 19 HR in '07.
STATS: Colorado Springs (AAA) - 197 AB, .315/.346/.503, 14 2b, 5 HR, 0.29 Eye, 2 SB
SS - Troy Tulowitzki is struggling offensively for a man with his talent. Since April 15th he has an OPS of .666. The number of the beast just keeps showing up in these previews. At this point in the season he has a wRC of 112. Jamey Carroll is at 111. The man many considered the best NL SS is far behind the likes of Jose Reyes and Stephen Drew. Defensively, the metrics in 2011 say he is the best by far.
3rd Base - Like Jose Lopez, Ian Stewart also failed to keep his gig. Stewart his now crushing in AAA while Ty WIggington tries to hold down the fort.
C - Chris Iannetta still having a solid season.
CF - Carlos Gonzalez has been moved back to CF with Fowler on the DL. The word is that he's going to stay there. Carlos had a great May but so far in June he's struggling as though caught in quicksand with a June OPS of .472. That is not slugging, that is OPS. Who says Jerry Sands does not have anything in common with Cargo:)
LF - Now belongs to Charles Blackmon who was just recalled this week. Blackmon is left-handed, was the second round pick in 2008, so he's made a quick journey to the major leagues. He had an OPS of .965 in the PCL. To put that into perspective, Ian Stewart who was demoted because he can't hit major league pitching has an OPS of 1.226 on the same team. Scouting report per baseballhq.com
Charles Blackmon (OF, COL)
The Rockies selected the 24-year-old in the second round of the '08 draft and he was fairly raw at the time. Since the draft, Blackmon has steadily improved and polished many nuances of his game. At 6'3" 200 pounds, he is a solid athlete with an intriguing mix of power and speed. His bat speed is starting to translate into moderate-to-plus pop. As evidenced by his career line of .316/.376/.475, Blackmon is a good hitter who makes easy contact. He isn't the most patient hitter, but he takes clean cuts and doesn't strike out much. In the outfield, Blackmon can play all three positions, but projects best in a corner. His arm strength and range are merely average, but he has shown improved routes and jumps. The Rockies have an abundance of outfielders, but it is expected that Blackmon gets regular work.
STATS: Colorado Springs (AAA) - 243 AB, .342/.396/.576, 19 2b, 10 HR, 0.56 Eye, 12 SB
RF - Seth Smith (LH) and Ryan Spilborghs (RH) continue to platoon. Smith is hitting , Ryan is not.
Bench - Ryan Spilborghs, Jose Morales, Jonathan Herrera, Eric Young Junior, and Jason Giambi round out a solid bench with power, speed, and patience.
Starting Pitching for our Series:
Game One - Newcomer Juan Nicasio gets the call against the Dodgers. He's made two starts so he has gotten his feet wet. Scouting report per baseballhq.com
Juan Nicasio (RHP, COL)
The Colorado Rockies called up RHP Juan Nicasio to fill in temporarily for the injured Jorge De La Rosa. Nicasio has a solid three-pitch mix that includes a 90-95 mph fastball that tops out at 97 mph, an inconsistent slider, and a much improved change-up. Somewhat of a late bloomer, the 24-year-old Nicasio had a breakout season in 2010. In 28 starts in the hitter-friendly CAL, Nicasio was 12-10 with a 3.91 ERA. Even more impressive was his strikeout to walk ratio. In 177 IP Nicasio walked only 31 while striking out 171. Nicasio is a strike-throwing machine and hasn't missed a beat to start 2011. After nine Double-A starts he is 5-1 with a 2.22 ERA with 10 BB/63 K in 56.2 IP. The jump from Double-A to the majors will not be easy, but if Nicasio can learn to keep the ball down in the zone he has the potential to develop into a solid mid-rotation starter and is worth rostering in NL only leagues.
STATS: Tulsa (AA) - 9 gs, 5-1 2.22 ERA, 56.2 IP, 6.3 Cmd, 1.6 Ctl, 10.0 Dom, 3 HR.
Game Two - Jhoulys Chacin should be fresh in Dodger fan minds after he twirled a beautiful game on April 5th against them.
Game Three - Jason Hammel has started twice against the Dodgers this year giving up 11 runs in 9 innings. Nuff said
Game Four - Ubaldo Jimenez appears to be back with zero walks over his last two games in 16 innings.
Bullpen - Huston Street continues to be the closer but the Rockies have a new kid on the block. Scouting report per baseballhq.com
Rex Brothers (LHP, COL)
In a highly anticipated move, the Rockies recalled the 23-year-old from Triple-A where he was dominant with a very high strikeout rate. Brothers was a supplemental first round selection in the '09 draft and has all the ingredients to become a big league closer. He was converted to a reliever upon signing and there are no apparent plans to move him from his role. Brothers' fastball runs between 91-97 mph and it exhibits plenty of late movement. He isn't very tall (6'0"), but he relies on pitch movement to keep the ball down. His mid-80's slider is his strikeout pitch and it has severe late break. Brothers rarely throws a changeup and he must improve his command in order to secure a prominent role in the bullpen. He has high upside with his potent fastball-slider combo. Brothers has posted a career 3.13 ERA, 4.9 Ctl, and 11.8 Dom.
STATS: Colorado Springs (AAA) - 25 g, 3-2 2.89 ERA, 28 IP, 3.0 Cmd, 4.8 Ctl, 14.5 Dom, 2 HR, .266 oppBA
Others in the bullpen include Rafael Betancourt, Matt Belisle, LHP Matt Reynolds, and Matt Lindstrom
206 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
kershaw is excited to face blackmoon
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
Can I call the Rockies new LF Mars?
Mad skills in LF. That shit is dope.
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
E
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 9, 2011 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions
A bunch of losers
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
after this game, through August
there are only 2 thursday games. July 2 vs. the Mets, and Aug 18 at MIL.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 9, 2011 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions
I'll take AnAlbumCover
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
Casey Blake
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
Rockies lineup
Gonzalez LF
Nelson 2B
Helton 1B
Tulowitzki SS
Wigginton 3B
Spilborghs RF
Blackmon LF
Morales C
Nicasio P
he has played 5 of the last 7 dayus
including today
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
They brought him up to split time between CF and 2B
He hit for a little, sort of, but with Blackmon now in LF and Nelson having a good game Monday, they’re sticking with Nelson for a little bit
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 9, 2011 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions
wow
that was unexpected.
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
really?
don’t get the move. I understand Sands has not been good, but Oeltjan?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 9, 2011 2:07 PM PDT up reply actions
They effectively DFAed Gibbons for him. Seems pointless, especially since it means paying more money.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
Trent plays better defense and they think he can hit as well perhaps?
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
trayvon needs to stop striking out
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
heh he doesn't strike out that much more then trent
but trent does have 100+ ops on tray
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
i was just typing this. Trent is no contact hitter himself.
Have you tried turning it off and on again?
may as well have had some fun and brought up Kyle Russell :)
(i’m kidding)
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 9, 2011 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions
I am :)
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
double negative. It’s at the least intriguing, though I wouldn’t do it.
Have you tried turning it off and on again?
i noticed
i wanted to make a licking toad reference, but I didn’t want to just straight quote.
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 9, 2011 2:16 PM PDT up reply actions
I seemed to have missed your second not
I think Russell would have a seriously hard time in the majors right now, but I’d bet we could see 15 homeruns out of him this year if he got the starting job. Now his other numbers….they may suffer a bit.
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
I disagree
Which is why i said what you said no way to in the first place. Russell is a home run hitter, i think he will be able to do that at an alright level as a rookie right now, but his other numbers will suffer a lot, making the move essentially worthless.
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
Just because Sands didn't do well doesn't mean Russell couldn't hit home runs
That’s my non-logical thought process and i’m sticking to it!
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
He did hit
1.95 dingers. Fucking clock in Florida.
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
2.95 :)
had the hr off buehrle and the grand slam in houston
Have you tried turning it off and on again?
I agree :)
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
its weird
in his last 50 PA Gibbons had an OPS of .798. They must really have hated his defense
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
and yes gibbons babip was high
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
hm?
I’m aware gibbons was DFAd but if they did it knowing that sands was going down soon then they must have though trent was a better option, and it wasn’t like Gibbons was hitting poorly when he was sent down
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
not much power
but he was getting on, but high babip, but bad defense, but
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
Yep, they thought Trent Ojetian was better than Trent Ojetian and Jay Gibbons. They absolutely hated Gibbons.
@andrewngrant
They absolutely hated Gibbons.
Is this based on something more then speculation? Not saying it isn’t true, just wondering.
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
The other explanation is that we don’t think more than a day in advance, because there was no reason to ditch Gibbons if you’re just gonna get rid of Sands anyway.
@andrewngrant
Sure there was, his name was Trent. They decided they could not use Gibbons on the bench because they want more then a pinch hitter and that is all he bring to the table.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
why do you need more when you have gwynn as the defensive replacement?
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
Sands wasn’t doing the job, and if he’s just going to pinch hit, send him down to play every day.
Baseball is a game, and games are supposed to be fun.
except donnie was loathe to pinch hit sands
even when he was doing well
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
I was wondering why Vasquez came off the 40 man
by Dodgerblue8188 on Jun 9, 2011 2:23 PM PDT up reply actions
but aren’at 38 before Trent? I think we could’ve just added Trent, no?
Have you tried turning it off and on again?
Get ready for Shawn Tolleson.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
who would go down?
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
Oeltjan is pretty good defensively
IIRC
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 9, 2011 2:10 PM PDT up reply actions
he can play CF can't he?
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
That is currently manned by the Iron Bison though, and TG2 could play CF if needed.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
yes
but it implies some defensive aptitude
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
Andre Ethier also played some CF in the minors. Just saying.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
and he is a far better defender then Gibbons
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
just saying
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
2010 All-Star Centerfielder Andre Ethier
"If we hit that bull's eye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards. Checkmate"
He played it in the minors
A lot less than I thought. 79 G in CF, 273 in RF, 323 in LF.
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Oeltjan is good defensively. Can play all three positions methinks
by Michael White on Jun 9, 2011 2:13 PM PDT up reply actions
Well I did have Gwynn starting at least one game. : )
by Alex41592 on Jun 9, 2011 2:15 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
well
best of luck Trent! I hope you knock em dead!
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
“Sands, how would you like to stay in the bigs, but not play”
“That sounds terrible”
“You will get money”
“Money is nice”
Well
one, they never had that conversation. It was more like, you see that cab Trent just got off of, go run and catch it. Here’s your plane ticket.
Loney does a fist pump on the Sands news
by Michael White on Jun 9, 2011 2:18 PM PDT up reply actions
you read bottom to top?
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
they're good people
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 9, 2011 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't necessarily think so
I think they will start Blake at 1B against most LHP, and insert Carroll into the lineup
Yup, I missed that.
Basically like yesterday then.
by Michael White on Jun 9, 2011 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions
how is kershaw going to bunt them over then?!
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
I believe the count is now
15 Isotopes (including rehab guys) who have now worn a LA Dodger uniform including outfielders, Hoffman, Sands, Gibbons, and Oeltjan)
Yikes....Rockies have had many (11), but not 15
Chris Nelson, Eric Young Jr, Alfredo Amezaga, Alan Johnson, Rex Brothers, Matt Daley, Charles Blackmon, Ian Stewart, Clayton Mortensen, Bruce Billings, and Greg Reynolds.
That does not include tonight’s starter, Juan Nicasio, who leapt from AA.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Jun 9, 2011 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions
Dodgers have one guy (Guerra) who came right up from AA too.
by Michael White on Jun 9, 2011 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions
2
Lindblom
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
well ok rubby
lindblom was in aaa last year
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
wasn't Oeltjan
already on the 40 man?
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 9, 2011 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions
I now fully expect a lineup one night of
Blake – LF
Uribe – 3rd
Carroll – 2nd
Since I don’t think Thames will get any starts against RHP, and Trent will be used strictly as a bench guy,and they probably do not want to start Tony every time a RHP is on the mound. JMO
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
The only thing that would surprise me
would be after those triples to Gold Glover Andre Ethier, we see Ethier in left, Gwynn in center and Kemp (who is now hitting like a corner) in right.
But why would you move Ethier to left when you have a perfectly good Carlos Beltran playing there?
Have you tried turning it off and on again?
this is coming closer and closer to a reality
if he was hitting 5th…. want.
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
that would probably be what would happen
which means it won’t and blake will be 2 all year because every time I say someone else will I’m wrong.
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
I am kinda ok with this move.
At least the Aussie can see better than Gibbons. He’s been ripping the cover off the ball, but yes of course that is in the PCL. Still, he’s also a better fielder than Gibbons. Sands will be back. He’s been struggling and I don’t think this is such a bad idea right now. If rumors are accurate, we’ll see him back in the summer anyway. (I admit I’ve been kinda rooting for Oeltjen for awhile even knowing that’s probably fool’s gold.)
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
So Big Dodger
buys a contract to bring a guy up from the minors, do they sell it when they send him back? Is that what DFA means, your contract given back?
Eric, I swear to god if you mention Klondike Bars…
not if he has options
"Heroes get remembered, but Legends never die."
by Tommy Blackjack on Jun 9, 2011 2:27 PM PDT up reply actions
The purchasing of the contract is simply adding him to the 40-man roster.
If a guy is on the 40-man roster already, they would recall him from the minors.
No
The only way you are removed from the 40 man is with a DFA.
He was optioned back to the minor leagues.
by Michael White on Jun 9, 2011 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions
Broad strokes in the terminology
Buying the contract means it was a minor leaguer not on the 40 man roster who was brought up to the majors (and there major league contract was purchased.)
Recalling a player from the minors (even if it’s technically their major league debut) means a minor leaguer who is on the 40 man, therefore he was optioned to the minors at the beginning of the year.
by Michael White on Jun 9, 2011 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions
purchasing the contract is just old-timey slang that doesn’t actually mean what that word means.
Have you tried turning it off and on again?
Well, they are purchasing a contract, but a new one. Minor league teams (almost?) exclusively subcontract their players of the parent organizations instead of signing them to their owns contracts. Except Will Ferrell.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
I’m just amazed anyone gives a shit about the nomenclature.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Just Chinamen.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
I think Josie is just trying to understand the process, and the nomenclature is confusing.
Have you tried turning it off and on again?
and bravo to her for having the guts to ask
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
Oh I know, and that sound offputting, but I’m amazed how many do care about this. I get as far as, are they on the major league roster, cool.
I’m simple that way, didn’t mean to be snide.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
It’s a bit intriguing that we would keep using the same terms when they don’t apply anymore. That’s baseball for you.
Have you tried turning it off and on again?
thats the entire world for you
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
I give a shit. Its one sentence that tells you the circumstances of how they got on the active roster.
by Michael White on Jun 9, 2011 2:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Only people who care about to/too care about nomenclature.
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Probably true, I’m simplistic, you guys care about details I couldn’t care less about.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
I’m a fucking software engineer. It’s nothing but details for me.
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Bottom line
Our LF situation is even worse now then anything we imagined this winter when it comes to offense.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
It’s funny, I saw this move as temporary. My first thought was, “why woudl they add Trent to the 40 man when he has no options since this move will only be unti XXX comes back.” Then I realized, there is nobody else coming back from the DL. This is it.
by Michael White on Jun 9, 2011 2:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Scenario Unlikely
Dee Gordon is actually functional
Rafy Furcal to CF
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
loney isn't going anywhere
unless its LF
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
for who?
is there actually someone out there on the team hitting better then him? I guess sitting him for Carrol could happen, but Blake has to actually hit better then Loney between now and then for that to work.
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
They could also end up benching Blake for Carrol
I’m not convinced he’ll OPS 800 for the rest of the season.
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
more likely
Blake to LF, Raffy to 2nd, Uribe to 3rd.
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
Given A)… Maybe Furcal→2B, Uribe→3B, Blake→1B or LF?
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
lf
this is going to happen people.
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view--until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on True Blue LA
Related FanShots on True Blue LA
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Eric Hosmer redefines the Baltimore chop with infield double (Video)
- College player makes impossible over the fence catch to save tournament game (Video)
- Security!: Camden Yards guard collides with Royals’ Mike Moustakas
- The Juice: Nelson Cruz matches career high eight RBIs, Pujols stays hot in Seattle
- Benches clear at Fenway as Red Sox-Rays rivalry heats up
