Purple Row's 2008 Colorado Rockies Rookie of the Year Award

by Russ Oates on Oct 14, 2008 8:28 AM MDT in Purple Row Awards

Purple Row's Colorado Rockies Rookie of the Year Award goes to Ian Stewart.

Ian Stewart was drafted by the Colorado Rockies with the 10th overall pick in the first round of 2003's draft. Stewart started dominated rookie ball that year (.317/.395/.558, 10 HR). He moved up to Asheville in 2004 and was named the #2 prospect in the South Atlantic League that year by Baseball America. Stewart hit .319/.398/.594, hit 31 2B, 9 3B, 30 HR, knocked in 101 RBI, and stole 20 bases.

2005 and 2006 saw Ian Stewart's path to the majors slow down as he battled injury and the team saw the emergence of Garrett Atkins at the hot corner. But Stewart persevered and, upon advancement to Triple-A in 2007, had a good season at Colorado Springs (if somewhat aided by his home park). It was good enough for Stewart to be called up in the middle of August. He hit his first career home run, a grtand slam, off the Pirate's Tony Armas. He would not be with the team for the postseason.

It was back to the Springs for Stewart to start the 2008 season. At the end of May, Stewart was recalled and performed poorly (.218/.283/.473) for the Rockies. So, it was back to the Springs at the end of June. But shortly after the All-Star Break, Stewart came back and mashed the ball through the end of August. In 12 July games, Stewart hit .432/.519/.614, 15 RBI. August saw Stewie hit .295/.412/.526, 5 HR, 20 RBI. September was forgettable, and this is what Stewart did over his entire 2008 campaign:

	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
2008 - Ian Stewart	81	266	33	69	18	2	10	41	30	94	1	0	.259	.349	.455

Let's look forward to a full season of Ian Stewart in 2009.

The runner-up for this award is Seth Smith.

	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
2008 - Seth Smith	67	108	13	28	7	0	4	15	15	23	1	0	.259	.350	.435

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very nice year

Lets hope that he will continue to hit the same when he is put up into the 3 or 4 slot next yr if Matt or Atkins are dealt

by roxbombers on Oct 14, 2008 1:32 PM MDT reply actions

That brings up an interesting question.

Where does Stew slot in the lineup if one of Atkins and Holliday is traded? Does he get a baptism by fire by being placed 3 or 4 at the start of the season, or should he eventually work his way into one of those spots once the season moves along?

Anyone?

"Never Surrender Dreams" - Inscription on J. Michael Straczynski's bench

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by Russ Oates on Oct 14, 2008 1:46 PM MDT up reply actions

Personally,

I’d put him in the 6 hole to start with, unless he has a killer spring against “A” pitching. Then maybe a notch up at number 5. I can’t see throwing him to the lions right off. Confidence levels are rather important for the younger players, and if he gets off to a bad start in the 3/4 slot, it could hurt him (and the team) for awhile.

I cannot say whether things will get better if we change; what I can say is they must change if they are to get better. -Georg C. Lichtenberg:

by rockhead on Oct 14, 2008 3:17 PM MDT up reply actions