The Rockies had opportunity but maybe only the Angels saw and capitalized on it.
Scott Kazmir, having a difficult season for the Devil Rays but an outstanding young talent with two All Star berths, was sent from Tampa Bay to the Angels for two solid minor leaguers.
The Rockies should have made a strong play for a hard-throwing lefty with top-of-the-rotation ability to keep pace today and in the future with the arms in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Missed opportunity.
Jhoulys Chacin or Christian Friedrich plus a lesser regarded prospect would have been fair.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Rockies hitting not good enough
The Rockies lose another one to the Dodgers, a tough one, 3-2, in a game where Jorge De La Rosa was good, just not good enough, especially against a strong team, division leading LA.
Losing the series is difficult emotionally as well as in the standings but baseball is a long season and the Rockies just have to make up the ground down the road. This team still is lacking enough punch in the lineup against better teams. There are simply too many players who can't make adequate contact, can't get on base enough, can't get their batting averages above .230, .240 or .250.
Who would have thought a Rockies team would ever struggle offensively.
Who would have thought a Rockies team would actually have above-average to good pitching, which they do.
The times they are a changing.
Losing the series is difficult emotionally as well as in the standings but baseball is a long season and the Rockies just have to make up the ground down the road. This team still is lacking enough punch in the lineup against better teams. There are simply too many players who can't make adequate contact, can't get on base enough, can't get their batting averages above .230, .240 or .250.
Who would have thought a Rockies team would ever struggle offensively.
Who would have thought a Rockies team would actually have above-average to good pitching, which they do.
The times they are a changing.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Wolf bests Rockies, not Fogg's fault
The Rockies ran into Randy Wolf's mojo Wednesday and looked like amateurs at the plate, losing at home to the Dodgers and falling three back in the NL West. Josh Fogg didn't have it as a starter and is a poor replacement for the injured Aaron Cook. Not Fogg's fault. It's management's, for not having a backup plan. Jhoulys Chacin is not ready, Esmil Rogers isn't ready (and might ever be so) and the Rockies made no bold move at the trade deadline.
Colorado gets another shot at LA today.
Rockies Prospect Eric Young, Jr. rapped out two hits (the good) but was thrown out stealing again. Once he learns to read pitchers, his speed will pay off if he can get on base consistently.
The Rockies can still feel good about themselves if they can find a way to jump start the offense, and get better pitching in game 3 of this series. Winning two out of three and again cutting the Dodgers' lead in the division to two games would be progress.
Colorado gets another shot at LA today.
Rockies Prospect Eric Young, Jr. rapped out two hits (the good) but was thrown out stealing again. Once he learns to read pitchers, his speed will pay off if he can get on base consistently.
The Rockies can still feel good about themselves if they can find a way to jump start the offense, and get better pitching in game 3 of this series. Winning two out of three and again cutting the Dodgers' lead in the division to two games would be progress.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Young debuts in win over Dodgers
The Rockies, on tired legs, beat the Dodgers in the first game of their series at Coors Field with shortstop Troy Tulowitzki beating James McDonald's fastball with a hit to center to plate the winning run. Colorado has now sliced what was once a 15 1/2 game Dodger lead in the NL West to 2 games.
Rockies Prospect Eric Young Jr. made his debut, picked up his first major league hit and got thrown out trying to show off his speed in a stolen base attempt. He'll learn it takes more than speed to be successful swiping bags.
Young is an infielder but was being groomed lately in Colorado Springs to play center field. With rookie Dexter Fowler out with a deep knee bruise, Young is getting his chance in Denver. The key for him will be on-base percentage. Can he draw a walk, can he bunt effectively, can he be selective at the plate and can he hit at least .270-plus (Fowler range) and be a menace on the base paths? If so, and if he can hold his own in the field, the Rockies will be happy.
Rockies Prospect Eric Young Jr. made his debut, picked up his first major league hit and got thrown out trying to show off his speed in a stolen base attempt. He'll learn it takes more than speed to be successful swiping bags.
Young is an infielder but was being groomed lately in Colorado Springs to play center field. With rookie Dexter Fowler out with a deep knee bruise, Young is getting his chance in Denver. The key for him will be on-base percentage. Can he draw a walk, can he bunt effectively, can he be selective at the plate and can he hit at least .270-plus (Fowler range) and be a menace on the base paths? If so, and if he can hold his own in the field, the Rockies will be happy.
Glue guy and pitching
The Rockies did what they had to do, keep winning, win at home and beat the Giants in the series, extending their lead in the race for the wild card, and maybe division championship. Ryan Spilborghs, whom you can call a glue guy, sent everyone home with a grand slam in the 14th inning Monday to put the Rockies 18 games over .500 (72-54).
As bad as Adam Eaton was in relief, pitching continues to be the reason for Colorado's success. The Rockies have never been better in that area. The key is what happens with Aaron Cook out for some time? Josh Fogg, once a surprisingly good starter, enters the rotation. Hard to feel good about that since his time in Cincinnati, post-Denver, was not pretty.
General manager Dan O'Dowd has made some mistakes in his time but he is developing pitching in the organization. That and chemistry are making the Rockies relevant.
The first-place Dodgers are up next, followed by a coastal visit to play the Giants. You have to wonder how the Rockies will do tonight after that marathon game against San Francisco. Clayton Kershaw and Randy Wolf will be throwing in this series so the Rockies will have to be good, maybe real good, to scratch out runs to stay in games.
As bad as Adam Eaton was in relief, pitching continues to be the reason for Colorado's success. The Rockies have never been better in that area. The key is what happens with Aaron Cook out for some time? Josh Fogg, once a surprisingly good starter, enters the rotation. Hard to feel good about that since his time in Cincinnati, post-Denver, was not pretty.
General manager Dan O'Dowd has made some mistakes in his time but he is developing pitching in the organization. That and chemistry are making the Rockies relevant.
The first-place Dodgers are up next, followed by a coastal visit to play the Giants. You have to wonder how the Rockies will do tonight after that marathon game against San Francisco. Clayton Kershaw and Randy Wolf will be throwing in this series so the Rockies will have to be good, maybe real good, to scratch out runs to stay in games.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Rockies farm pitching will hurt season
It's been a pretty season for the Rockies but it won't end that way as this team, while a joy to observe, is not a playoff power.
The offense, despite a 14-run explosion against the Giants, is lacking. There are more sub-.230 hitters on this roster than a good team should have. There is the gone-cold power of Todd Helton, Brad Hawpe, Chris Iannetta and Ian Stewart.
But this article is about pitching and the consequences it will have on this eason.
With Aaron Cook now hurting, the pitching staff takes a hit too, a big hit. That Colorado's best band aid to that is to recall Matt Herges, once a solid reliever, to "replace" Cook is a sad indictment on the upper level of the franchise's development system.
Esmil Rogers, promoted earlier this summer from Double A Tulsa to Colorado Springs, could have been in Denver except for his shockingly bad pitching for the Sky Sox after his encouraging performance for the Drillers. Greg Reynolds, once the second pick in the draft, could have been in Colorado but his health and performance were both sickly. Jason Hirsh was so bad that the Rockies gave up on him and traded him to the...Yankees? Brandon Hynick is just another guy, a possible future reliever but not good enough to throw during a playoff run.
Jhoulys Chacin, an above-average prospect, isn't ready.
Add it all up and the Rockies lack of attractive choices will cost the team, either as a wild card in the playoffs or in the race to make the postseason.
The offense, despite a 14-run explosion against the Giants, is lacking. There are more sub-.230 hitters on this roster than a good team should have. There is the gone-cold power of Todd Helton, Brad Hawpe, Chris Iannetta and Ian Stewart.
But this article is about pitching and the consequences it will have on this eason.
With Aaron Cook now hurting, the pitching staff takes a hit too, a big hit. That Colorado's best band aid to that is to recall Matt Herges, once a solid reliever, to "replace" Cook is a sad indictment on the upper level of the franchise's development system.
Esmil Rogers, promoted earlier this summer from Double A Tulsa to Colorado Springs, could have been in Denver except for his shockingly bad pitching for the Sky Sox after his encouraging performance for the Drillers. Greg Reynolds, once the second pick in the draft, could have been in Colorado but his health and performance were both sickly. Jason Hirsh was so bad that the Rockies gave up on him and traded him to the...Yankees? Brandon Hynick is just another guy, a possible future reliever but not good enough to throw during a playoff run.
Jhoulys Chacin, an above-average prospect, isn't ready.
Add it all up and the Rockies lack of attractive choices will cost the team, either as a wild card in the playoffs or in the race to make the postseason.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Cook can't be replaced effectively
Aaron Cook supposedly has a sore shoulder. Not good. Not good at all. Granted, the grinder is struggling lately, but if he's not right, the Rockies will significantly suffer. Cook is no star but he is usually dependable. The problem is who replaces him in the rotation?
Honestly, there are no easy answers to that problem.
Jhoulys Chacin, down in Colorado Springs, despite his stellar first outing in Triple A, is not ready for prime time yet. He will be, he just isn't now.
Recycled Adam Eaton? Forget what he's done in the minors this season and his relief work in Denver, he's not a quality starter. Look at his history.
Josh Fogg? He's done it before and the most likely guy to replace Cook but he was awful in Cincinnati after leaving the Rockies. He is much better suited to being a reliever at this stage of his career than a starter, even a 5-inning guy.
Answers?
There are none because this franchise doesn't have enough pitching depth and the Triple A roster is lacking in pitching. Double A isn't the answer either.
Fogg or bust.
Honestly, there are no easy answers to that problem.
Jhoulys Chacin, down in Colorado Springs, despite his stellar first outing in Triple A, is not ready for prime time yet. He will be, he just isn't now.
Recycled Adam Eaton? Forget what he's done in the minors this season and his relief work in Denver, he's not a quality starter. Look at his history.
Josh Fogg? He's done it before and the most likely guy to replace Cook but he was awful in Cincinnati after leaving the Rockies. He is much better suited to being a reliever at this stage of his career than a starter, even a 5-inning guy.
Answers?
There are none because this franchise doesn't have enough pitching depth and the Triple A roster is lacking in pitching. Double A isn't the answer either.
Fogg or bust.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Gonzalez and Jimenez crafting games
Carlos Gonzalez, lost for a big part of the season since his call-up from Triple A Colorado Springs continues to show development, homering again, this time Tuesday against Washington in a 4-3 Rockies victory.
Gonzalez is hitting for average and power right now, exactly what the Rockies had hoped when they acquired him in a package deal for Matt Holliday. Gonzalez will likely never produce Holliday-type numbers in Colorado but people are witnessing the maturation of a fine talent who is putting it together mentally. If Gonzalez is not done getting better he could become the type of talent this franchise needs after losing Holliday over money.
Ubaldo Jimenez is no longer a prospect, just a pitcher who should be knocking on the door of consistent 16-18 win seasons. He was strong against the Nationals and now has won five-straight decisions and 11 games in 2009. He's not Randy Johnson or Roger Clemens in the making but his ceiling hasn't been reached either.
Gonzalez is hitting for average and power right now, exactly what the Rockies had hoped when they acquired him in a package deal for Matt Holliday. Gonzalez will likely never produce Holliday-type numbers in Colorado but people are witnessing the maturation of a fine talent who is putting it together mentally. If Gonzalez is not done getting better he could become the type of talent this franchise needs after losing Holliday over money.
Ubaldo Jimenez is no longer a prospect, just a pitcher who should be knocking on the door of consistent 16-18 win seasons. He was strong against the Nationals and now has won five-straight decisions and 11 games in 2009. He's not Randy Johnson or Roger Clemens in the making but his ceiling hasn't been reached either.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Rockies do right thing
Give Colorado ownership and management credit in signing first round draft pick Tyler Matzek, the California prep lefthanded pitcher before his rights would have been lost at the signing deadline.
If you're going to draft someone, especially a run-of-the-mill franchise like Colorado, then you have to sign them. The Rockies did.
That the franchise even selected Matzek, whom was known to want out-of-slot money, was impressive. Risk taking, when calculated, is smart and the Rockies knew to get better they have to be risk takers and spend more money, when it's intelligent spending.
Matzek could, of course, bust out but at the 11th spot in the draft, he is a superior prospect to Greg Reynolds, whom the Rockies once took second overall. Matzek is the best high school pitching prospect the organization has drafted since the late Doug Million.
Matzek's upside is big. He may not turn out to be Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers' ace-in-the-making but he could move quickly through the minors if healthy and could be a top-of-the-rotation starter, maybe an ace, something the franchise has long craved and needed. Even if Matzek needs extensive time to develop, he should make the majors. He could soon be the plum of the farm system, like a Kyle Drabek in the Phillies' chain.
Again, ownership and management, along with scouting, teamed up on a winning effort.
If you're going to draft someone, especially a run-of-the-mill franchise like Colorado, then you have to sign them. The Rockies did.
That the franchise even selected Matzek, whom was known to want out-of-slot money, was impressive. Risk taking, when calculated, is smart and the Rockies knew to get better they have to be risk takers and spend more money, when it's intelligent spending.
Matzek could, of course, bust out but at the 11th spot in the draft, he is a superior prospect to Greg Reynolds, whom the Rockies once took second overall. Matzek is the best high school pitching prospect the organization has drafted since the late Doug Million.
Matzek's upside is big. He may not turn out to be Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers' ace-in-the-making but he could move quickly through the minors if healthy and could be a top-of-the-rotation starter, maybe an ace, something the franchise has long craved and needed. Even if Matzek needs extensive time to develop, he should make the majors. He could soon be the plum of the farm system, like a Kyle Drabek in the Phillies' chain.
Again, ownership and management, along with scouting, teamed up on a winning effort.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Crystal ball on three young Rockies
While some Rockies' prospects are on the roster of the parent club now they are still unknown in the respect we don't know if they will reach the potential that most see for them, and if they can do it consistently. So let's take a look at the progress of some of those players.
Dexter Fowler -- his range in center field has been solid, his ability to steal a bag is impressive and after skipping a level, he's held his own. He's not shown he can be a star yet but the tools are there for him to be a solid contributor.
High side -- .300 hitter, 10 homers, 60-70 RBI, 45-50 steals, quality defense
Prediction (2010 or 2011) -- .290 average, 8-10 homers, 60 RBI, 35 steals, strong defensively
Carlos Gonzalez -- extremely slow start but the Rockies stood by him after Gonzalez proved Triple A was not the place for him to improve. His bat is starting to come around and with it his confidence.
High side -- .300 hitter 25 homers, 90-100 RBI, 25 steals
Prediction -- .280-.290, 15-20 homers, 80 -85 RBI and 15-20 steals
Franklin Morales -- was once thought of as a future ace but the numbers on him don't lie; his lack of control is a critical flaw.
High side -- the Rockies might still consider him a future starter but we don't. His high side here says he could develop into a closer in time with an ERA under 3.00 and potential to register 32-37 saves in season, depending on the quality of the bullpen in front of him and the team's strength.
Prediction -- his consistent lack of top-notch control, the inability to harness his stuff will likely see him destined for seventh inning work with occasional eighth-inning assignments. He won't reach the heights originally envisioned for him by Rockies' brass or league scouts but he will be a solid contributor who will play for years if he remains healthy.
Dexter Fowler -- his range in center field has been solid, his ability to steal a bag is impressive and after skipping a level, he's held his own. He's not shown he can be a star yet but the tools are there for him to be a solid contributor.
High side -- .300 hitter, 10 homers, 60-70 RBI, 45-50 steals, quality defense
Prediction (2010 or 2011) -- .290 average, 8-10 homers, 60 RBI, 35 steals, strong defensively
Carlos Gonzalez -- extremely slow start but the Rockies stood by him after Gonzalez proved Triple A was not the place for him to improve. His bat is starting to come around and with it his confidence.
High side -- .300 hitter 25 homers, 90-100 RBI, 25 steals
Prediction -- .280-.290, 15-20 homers, 80 -85 RBI and 15-20 steals
Franklin Morales -- was once thought of as a future ace but the numbers on him don't lie; his lack of control is a critical flaw.
High side -- the Rockies might still consider him a future starter but we don't. His high side here says he could develop into a closer in time with an ERA under 3.00 and potential to register 32-37 saves in season, depending on the quality of the bullpen in front of him and the team's strength.
Prediction -- his consistent lack of top-notch control, the inability to harness his stuff will likely see him destined for seventh inning work with occasional eighth-inning assignments. He won't reach the heights originally envisioned for him by Rockies' brass or league scouts but he will be a solid contributor who will play for years if he remains healthy.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Young no future upgrade for Rockies
Fans like him, management would not deal him for help this season.
Who?
Triple A second sacker Eric Young Jr.
Young has played well and is a prospect to be a big league player but he's hardly one to get overly excited about when you consider he has flaws.
First, Young's positives:
Strong strike zone judgment with 52 walks, 68 strikeouts.
Has only grounded into one double play.
55 steals and a success rate of over 80 percent.
Now for the negative:
Young is hitting but .304, which for anyone who knows about the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, realizes that is not an average that predicts hitting success at the major league level. Really, anything under .330 - .340 means a player will be an average hitter. The prediction here is that Young will be a .270 hitter, maybe .280 with his speed in the big leagues and worse if not for playing for the Rockies.
Analysis: Young can be a nice addition to Colorado but he's more of a utility player than rock-solid starter and honestly, no better than Clint Barmes, who offers more power and better defense.
Who?
Triple A second sacker Eric Young Jr.
Young has played well and is a prospect to be a big league player but he's hardly one to get overly excited about when you consider he has flaws.
First, Young's positives:
Strong strike zone judgment with 52 walks, 68 strikeouts.
Has only grounded into one double play.
55 steals and a success rate of over 80 percent.
Now for the negative:
Young is hitting but .304, which for anyone who knows about the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, realizes that is not an average that predicts hitting success at the major league level. Really, anything under .330 - .340 means a player will be an average hitter. The prediction here is that Young will be a .270 hitter, maybe .280 with his speed in the big leagues and worse if not for playing for the Rockies.
Analysis: Young can be a nice addition to Colorado but he's more of a utility player than rock-solid starter and honestly, no better than Clint Barmes, who offers more power and better defense.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Rockies plans coming into view
The Rockies did not do much before the trading deadline, deciding to hold on to prospects instead of dealing them for help in the club's battle for the playoffs.
Rafael Betancourt and Joe Beimel are hardly inspiring pickups although Betancourt has been Rockies' solid since arriving in town to shore up a banged up (Manny Corpas, Alan Embree, Taylor Buchholz) and often toxic bullpen.
You can sense management's approach for the future -- strengthen the starting rotation, fill the bullpen and eschew big money free agents.
Here's a look at how management might very well be thinking of building pitching for 2010:
Starters, in order of rotation ranking
Ubaldo Jimenez
Aaron Cook
Jeff Francis (return from injury)
Jorge De La Rosa
Note: Jason Marquis is expected to sign elsewhere as a free agent in the offseason due to increased salary demands after an impressive 2009 season.
Add ins for 2010: Prospect Jhoulys Chacin as well as another low-cost rental free agent and possibly prospect Christian Friedrich by mid-season or September.
Analysis: The Rockies still lack a dominant no. 1 starter to call their own but could be a winning club again if Jimenez takes a step forward (more control and consistency) to become a no. 1, Cook continues being a high no. 3, Francis returns to no. 3 form, De La Rosa holds on to his no. 4 production and Chacin and/or Friedrich prove to be, at very least, middle-of-the-rotation starters.
Bullpen
Street
Betancourt
Corpas (if healthy)
Franklin Morales
Buchholz (if healthy)
Josh Fogg (until younger, cheaper arms arrive)
Add ins for 2010: If healthy, prospect Casey Weathers could get his feet wet at the major league level by mid-summer, former no. 2 overall draft pick Greg Reynolds could move to the pen and contribute as a long reliever and spot starter by mid-to-late summer and you might see some prospects who are currently in double A or lower levels.
Analysis: Street as a closer, if healthy, is at least as good as departed Brian Fuentes while the return of Buchholz, lights out in 2008, would help. Morales has big, big potential as a ceiling as a lefty power arm (think set-up man down the road) and at minimum could be a tough situational hombre if he can improve his control just a hair. Former closer Corpas needs his health and confidence back or he risks becoming a middle-reliever. Betancourt can be fairly solid in the seventh or eighth frames.
Pitching prospect afterthoughts
Esmil Rogers -- sinking at Triple A
Sam Deduno -- both dominating and overly wild, too wild for big league success
Greg Smith -- JAG (Just Another Guy) right now
Brandon Hynick -- can't start and not really room in the bullpen
Chaz Roe -- will have to successfully become a reliever to make a big league club
Rafael Betancourt and Joe Beimel are hardly inspiring pickups although Betancourt has been Rockies' solid since arriving in town to shore up a banged up (Manny Corpas, Alan Embree, Taylor Buchholz) and often toxic bullpen.
You can sense management's approach for the future -- strengthen the starting rotation, fill the bullpen and eschew big money free agents.
Here's a look at how management might very well be thinking of building pitching for 2010:
Starters, in order of rotation ranking
Ubaldo Jimenez
Aaron Cook
Jeff Francis (return from injury)
Jorge De La Rosa
Note: Jason Marquis is expected to sign elsewhere as a free agent in the offseason due to increased salary demands after an impressive 2009 season.
Add ins for 2010: Prospect Jhoulys Chacin as well as another low-cost rental free agent and possibly prospect Christian Friedrich by mid-season or September.
Analysis: The Rockies still lack a dominant no. 1 starter to call their own but could be a winning club again if Jimenez takes a step forward (more control and consistency) to become a no. 1, Cook continues being a high no. 3, Francis returns to no. 3 form, De La Rosa holds on to his no. 4 production and Chacin and/or Friedrich prove to be, at very least, middle-of-the-rotation starters.
Bullpen
Street
Betancourt
Corpas (if healthy)
Franklin Morales
Buchholz (if healthy)
Josh Fogg (until younger, cheaper arms arrive)
Add ins for 2010: If healthy, prospect Casey Weathers could get his feet wet at the major league level by mid-summer, former no. 2 overall draft pick Greg Reynolds could move to the pen and contribute as a long reliever and spot starter by mid-to-late summer and you might see some prospects who are currently in double A or lower levels.
Analysis: Street as a closer, if healthy, is at least as good as departed Brian Fuentes while the return of Buchholz, lights out in 2008, would help. Morales has big, big potential as a ceiling as a lefty power arm (think set-up man down the road) and at minimum could be a tough situational hombre if he can improve his control just a hair. Former closer Corpas needs his health and confidence back or he risks becoming a middle-reliever. Betancourt can be fairly solid in the seventh or eighth frames.
Pitching prospect afterthoughts
Esmil Rogers -- sinking at Triple A
Sam Deduno -- both dominating and overly wild, too wild for big league success
Greg Smith -- JAG (Just Another Guy) right now
Brandon Hynick -- can't start and not really room in the bullpen
Chaz Roe -- will have to successfully become a reliever to make a big league club
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