Rockies prospect Esmil Rogers, a 24-year old pitcher, makes his major league debut Saturday in place of dinged up Ubaldo Jimenez.
This move by the Rockies, no matter how many positive ones management has made this season, is similar to past moves, rushing pitchers before they're ready. Rogers was having a very solid campaign in Double A Tulsa, with an excellent strikeout to walk ratio, limiting homers and winning games. Once promoted to Triple A Colorado Springs he was a different guy, getting used for batting practice.
Bottom line -- he's not ready for the majors, even in a 3-5 inning stint. The Rockies feel they have no choice. Josh Fogg can't step in, Adam Eaton can't do it.
The Rockies continue to win with patches all over it's team, injury wise but can it hold on and continue doing so?
Friday, September 11, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Smith evaluation being proved smart
Seth Smith has always been a favorite of management and his continuing ability to swing a bat is proving the front office right.
Smith's average is now well over .300 and his game-winning smash against Cincinnati shows Smith has a flair for coming through in anxiety time.
A second round draft pick, Smith is not seen as a star but he has all the look of a solid contributor to a winning club. He was an astute draft selection.
Smith's average is now well over .300 and his game-winning smash against Cincinnati shows Smith has a flair for coming through in anxiety time.
A second round draft pick, Smith is not seen as a star but he has all the look of a solid contributor to a winning club. He was an astute draft selection.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Deeper Rockies trading prospects
The Rockies have gotten mileage out of their farm system in an unexpected manner this season. They've traded prospects for major leaguers and the early returns are favorable.
Connor Graham, a hard-throwing, difficult-to-hit righty was shipped to Cleveland for Rafael Betencourt, whom has done solid work near the back end of the bullpen. Graham has a superior ceiling but his lack of control and command may also prevent him from ever reaching or thriving in the major leagues.
Brandon Hynick's star had slipped as a prospect and he is now a middle reliever, spot starter at best or a fringe major leaguer and that's why the Rockies parted with him for nearly washed up Jose Contreras. First time out Contreras showed he can flash promise still. The question is how often can he pull it off. On his best days he can be a no. 3 but on others he might be as bad as Josh Fogg was during his last start -- not good enough.
The Rockies could have also dealt infield prospect Eric Young Jr., a moderate-quality prospect but held on to him, maybe hoping he would become a Chone Figgins catalyst.
The organization was wise to hold on to Jhoulys Chacin and Christian Friedrich. Esmil Rogers, getting embarrassed at Colorado Springs, and old man (26) Sam Deduno at Tulsa still hold enough promose that they were worth holding on to for another year.
Connor Graham, a hard-throwing, difficult-to-hit righty was shipped to Cleveland for Rafael Betencourt, whom has done solid work near the back end of the bullpen. Graham has a superior ceiling but his lack of control and command may also prevent him from ever reaching or thriving in the major leagues.
Brandon Hynick's star had slipped as a prospect and he is now a middle reliever, spot starter at best or a fringe major leaguer and that's why the Rockies parted with him for nearly washed up Jose Contreras. First time out Contreras showed he can flash promise still. The question is how often can he pull it off. On his best days he can be a no. 3 but on others he might be as bad as Josh Fogg was during his last start -- not good enough.
The Rockies could have also dealt infield prospect Eric Young Jr., a moderate-quality prospect but held on to him, maybe hoping he would become a Chone Figgins catalyst.
The organization was wise to hold on to Jhoulys Chacin and Christian Friedrich. Esmil Rogers, getting embarrassed at Colorado Springs, and old man (26) Sam Deduno at Tulsa still hold enough promose that they were worth holding on to for another year.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Playing time revealing for Smith
Seth Smith is too experienced to be a prospect anymore but more playing time is revealing that the Rockies outfielder has everyday hitting ability.
Smith may never be a 20 homer, 100 RBI producer but his bat control make him a plus hitter with alley power and a solid, if unspectacular part of the order. He can't carry a team but can be a solid part of a good one, either in Denver or elsewhere.
Hitting .308 with 12 homers and 42 RBI in 263 at bats is worthy of recognition. Smith is an underrated part of the Rockies' positive season. While is likely to remain in Colorado, Smith could have real trade value as a piece in a larger deal.
Smith may never be a 20 homer, 100 RBI producer but his bat control make him a plus hitter with alley power and a solid, if unspectacular part of the order. He can't carry a team but can be a solid part of a good one, either in Denver or elsewhere.
Hitting .308 with 12 homers and 42 RBI in 263 at bats is worthy of recognition. Smith is an underrated part of the Rockies' positive season. While is likely to remain in Colorado, Smith could have real trade value as a piece in a larger deal.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Bias is act of denial over numbers
Rockies' hitters have long had to fight bias from people (management and media) around baseball about the home field advantage (see: altitude) but yet Rockies' pitchers have seldom been credit for pitching in a supposedly unfair environment despite opposing pitchers claiming it is a challenge getting batters out in Denver.
But look at the case of former Rockies' reliever and current Angels stopper Brian Fuentes. Last season, he had a 2.73 ERA. The year prior his ERA was 3.08. This season it's a robust 3.95. It seems logical if hitting in Coors is nothing more than belting flat pitches then Fuentes' work as a Rockie should be stuff of legend.
It's also interesting to note that Andres Galarraga hit 44 home runs for Atlanta after leaving Colorado and Matt Holliday is torching the National League in St. Louis after being dumped by Oakland.
The reality in denial here is that good players produce everywhere and assailing them and their numbers for the team they play on is arrogant. Todd Helton is another example. He wouldn't have been an All Star, when healthy, anywhere else but Colorado? That's a fool's argument. When he was right he was a star, period.
But look at the case of former Rockies' reliever and current Angels stopper Brian Fuentes. Last season, he had a 2.73 ERA. The year prior his ERA was 3.08. This season it's a robust 3.95. It seems logical if hitting in Coors is nothing more than belting flat pitches then Fuentes' work as a Rockie should be stuff of legend.
It's also interesting to note that Andres Galarraga hit 44 home runs for Atlanta after leaving Colorado and Matt Holliday is torching the National League in St. Louis after being dumped by Oakland.
The reality in denial here is that good players produce everywhere and assailing them and their numbers for the team they play on is arrogant. Todd Helton is another example. He wouldn't have been an All Star, when healthy, anywhere else but Colorado? That's a fool's argument. When he was right he was a star, period.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Rockies cosmetic changes do little
The Rockies historical approach of scrap heap purchases for its' pitching staff after failures Bill Swift, Daryll Kile, Mike Hampton and Denny Neagle has proven moderately fruitful. So the club continues to dig through the rubbage for help, this time netting Jose Contreras for Triple A pitcher Brandon Hynick, losing out on Jon Garland.
Breakdown -- Hynick had one marvelous minor league season but has since had two underwhelming campaigns. He's not a big league starter in the making, he's a middle reliever, and maybe but an average one. However, Jose Contreras is very old and washed up. You figure out who got the best of that cosmetic deal. Garland is no great shakes (he's now a Dodger) but he's superior to Josh Fogg, a warrior but not a decent starter any longer.
Final thoughts -- Disappointing. The Rockies tried and for that they get credit but they accomplished little.
Breakdown -- Hynick had one marvelous minor league season but has since had two underwhelming campaigns. He's not a big league starter in the making, he's a middle reliever, and maybe but an average one. However, Jose Contreras is very old and washed up. You figure out who got the best of that cosmetic deal. Garland is no great shakes (he's now a Dodger) but he's superior to Josh Fogg, a warrior but not a decent starter any longer.
Final thoughts -- Disappointing. The Rockies tried and for that they get credit but they accomplished little.
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