Thursday Morning Rockpile:

by Rox Girl on Jun 19, 2008 11:26 AM MDT in Rockpile

Omar Quintanilla seems the most likely to stay at the MLB level when Tulo and Barmes return later this week, that would mean Ian Stewart and Doug Bernier would get optioned back to Colorado Springs. Stewart's shown power, but some pretty glaring inconsistencies in his contact abilities, while Bernier is a great story, but not a great fit at the MLB level for a team with competitive aspirations. Quintanilla lacks Stewart's offensive upside, but would provide more defensive versatility, which could be important if Tulowitzki struggles at the plate like he had been in April. Quintanilla and Jeff Baker on the bench have been huge assets in June, a big part of why we won last night and have won five straight series.

Baker's hot streak certainly has some strong elements of good luck involved, his underlying stats (K%, BB%, GB/FB/LD rates) are almost exactly what they were in April when he hit .194 with a .478 OPS. That said, it's clear now that there was also certainly some considerable bad luck involved with what he did then. The one major difference between now and then is the re-emergence of power in his contact. Baker's ISO in April was an anemic .064, while in June it's at .433. The warmer weather is probably helping, but it's very odd to see such a dramatic spike like that and it's most certainly unsustainable at this rate, as is his .474 BABIP. While the power is not likely to drop back to his April levels, we should enjoy this new found authority while it lasts. Once he levels off we'll probably have a clearer picture of his true talent level, which is somewhere between the Bruce Banner of April and the green hulking giant he is today. I really don't know if I buy that this is a result or proof of his value with regular playing time, or just the same type of swing to great promise we've seen him get into at various points throughout his professional and collegiate career before an inevitable fall back to normalcy -playing time or no playing time.

Speaking of luck, I didwatch the replay of the Rockies game this morning, and I'm still worried about Jeff Francis, but I'm glad we're catching more breaks in his starts than we seem to when he starts against the D-backs. He still just isn't looking sharp at the beginning, and it's taking time for him to consistently spot his pitches where his catcher sets up. Hopefully the confidence that comes with good results helps him improve in this area next time out.

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Buchholz

Saw people clamoring for an ASG nod for him…. He’s not seriously in the running, is he?

And (cross-threading): Where is Friedrich going to go? Tri-City or Asheville?

by rosenthal on Jun 19, 2008 1:15 PM MDT 0 recs

Buck in the All Star game?

I doubt it. There are only a few positions available (are the ASG rosters 25 or 30 man..I think it’s 30) and each team has to have a representative, so I doubt bullpen set up guys will be on the roster. And if they were, Carlos Marmol of the Cubs would be ahead of Bucky.

Colorado Rockies: Continuing a long tradition of playing meaningless games in June!

by Redhawk on Jun 19, 2008 1:26 PM MDT up 0 recs

That's what I was thinking

Hurdle did say he’d like to have a setup guy (I can’t wait to see him * up managing an all-star game. What’re the announcers going to say when he has his starter bat in the top half of an inning and then replaces him in the bottom half like he did so many times last year). It’d almost certainly have to be Carlos Marmol.

by rosenthal on Jun 19, 2008 1:32 PM MDT up 0 recs

'Like he did so many times last year'

I may be mistaken, but I believe he did it last night as well. If not, I know i’ve seen it plenty of times this year, and will actually be surprised if he does not do it at the ASG…its like his signature move.

by Hizilla on Jun 19, 2008 3:02 PM MDT up 0 recs

Don't

watch many games this season, as my schedule forces me to follow on PR and Yahoo(!).

Bill Simmons’ greatest column of all-time (in this poster’s not-so-humble opinion) was about Jimy Williams and the stupid decisions he made as manager. Honestly, you could just switch out Williams with Hurdle, insert a few biblical passages and you’d have an accurate modern-day Jimy.

by rosenthal on Jun 19, 2008 3:29 PM MDT up 0 recs

Buchholz

I would be surprised if he is NOT in the ASG. With Hurdle as the manager and most of the other Rockie players struggling, the only two worthy of being on the team are Cookie and Taylor. There’s noway Hurdle takes just one player..

by roxhead on Jun 19, 2008 4:44 PM MDT up 0 recs

Except

this team has been pretty bad. They don’t deserve two noms. And if they do, it shouldn’t be a MR.

by rosenthal on Jun 19, 2008 5:01 PM MDT up 0 recs

Starting 2nd Baseman

so….with Barmes coming back, who will be our starter?

Barmes, our Utility guy who was hot before he got hurt?
Baker, who hits well (better anyways) with regular at bats
or Q, who hit (I’m still not sold he’s a .300, but he doesn’t appear to be the auto out he once was) and can field, and can hit left handed.

I’d be OK with any of the 3.

Dear, MLB GM’s. Looking for a solid Utility middle infielder that won’t hurt you with the bat if he’s forced to play regularly? Heck he might even be better than one of your starters! Well just Call The Colorado Rockies at BR-549…we have tons of Solid Middle infielder Utility type players, and we will most likely take a broken down veteran middle reliever in return…..we love broken down veteran middle relievers!

Colorado Rockies: Continuing a long tradition of playing meaningless games in June!

by Redhawk on Jun 19, 2008 1:31 PM MDT 0 recs

Barmes will be starting at second,

Q and Baker will probably serve as platooned backups mostly and I’d bet Baker even sees some time in the outfield with his hot bat lately and Spilly’s slump.

by Rox Girl on Jun 19, 2008 1:54 PM MDT up 0 recs

Barmes

has to be given the shot to keep the job he earned before injury. That said, he does not deserve a ton of deference and if he’s not getting it done, someone else (Baker) should get the chance. Quintanilla (I can’t get with calling him “Q”, we already had a “Q” and I don’t think you can go to it twice) should be what he is—a backup.

by Teekalong on Jun 19, 2008 2:14 PM MDT up 0 recs

Q

Mostly cause I’m too lazy to spell out Quintanilla, and if I did, I’d probably miss spell it any ways

Colorado Rockies: Continuing a long tradition of playing meaningless games in June!

by Redhawk on Jun 19, 2008 2:28 PM MDT up 0 recs

Maybe we should come up with a better nickname.

Although, frankly, I hold low esteem for us Rockies fans back in the day for labeling McCracken “Q” when that last name has so much better nickname material in it.

Maybe we should just call him ‘Nilla, as in “Nilla the Killa” only both words would rhyme with the swedish furniture store.

by Rox Girl on Jun 19, 2008 2:45 PM MDT up 0 recs

Shameless

plug for Ikea?

I say we just call him Quesadilla because, well, everyone loves quesadillas. Mmmm…. Quesadillas….

by rosenthal on Jun 19, 2008 3:27 PM MDT up 0 recs

It was either that or shamelessly plug a Korean automaker

And frankly, I like the products at the furniture store better. Quesadilla would be a good one. Seriously, now I’m hungry.

by Rox Girl on Jun 19, 2008 3:53 PM MDT up 0 recs

I actually have heard

him called Quesadilla.

I like Ikea better…easier to spell

I’m really lazy

Colorado Rockies: Continuing a long tradition of playing meaningless games in June!

by Redhawk on Jun 19, 2008 3:55 PM MDT up 0 recs

on 2nd thought

Nilla is good too.

ummmmm Nilla wafers in pie…...ummmmmm

Colorado Rockies: Continuing a long tradition of playing meaningless games in June!

by Redhawk on Jun 19, 2008 4:06 PM MDT up 0 recs

Where the heck did you find that picture?

I wanna make that pie!

Blame the Red Sox!

by rockhead on Jun 19, 2008 5:27 PM MDT up 0 recs

Then you'll love this page:

It has the recipe and every thing…it actually looks easy

Colorado Rockies: Continuing a long tradition of playing meaningless games in June!

by Redhawk on Jun 19, 2008 11:36 PM MDT up 0 recs

Hey Thanks!

Looks very easy. I’ll let you know how it turns out!

Blame the Red Sox!

by rockhead on Jun 20, 2008 10:40 AM MDT up 0 recs

The quesadilla maker

was the single greatest purchase I made in college. Open up the fridge.. All you have is cheese, a few vegetables, hot sauce and tortillas? Sounds like a badass meal to me.

(Also, beer. Lots of it. I was probably the only guy in college who kept things like spinach, onions and peppers on hand, though).

by rosenthal on Jun 19, 2008 5:02 PM MDT up 0 recs

so since Willy is out

who is Clint replacing him with as a coach at the All Star game? Sweet Lou? Manuel? Torre? La Russa?

The 2008 Rockies: All loses, all season

by moomacher on Jun 19, 2008 1:36 PM MDT 0 recs

I'm still hoping Clint is out too

Hurdle on Baker’s hitting lately, “He’s breathing well at the plate” was his quote from the game last night with the Fox guys.

I knew sight was keen on hitting the ball….but breathing? See….that’s why I’m not a major league manager….I’d never coach up breathing to hit

Colorado Rockies: Continuing a long tradition of playing meaningless games in June!

by Redhawk on Jun 19, 2008 1:47 PM MDT up 0 recs

Since Hurdle selects the subs...

I thought Bucky might have aa outside chance. He does have one of the top reliever ERA’s in the NL. But agreed Marmol is the logical choice.

Last year’s add-ons, FWIW…

Manager selections 2007 All-Star Game
NATIONAL LEAGUE (by Tony La Russa, Cardinals)

First Base: Dmitri Young, Nationals

First Base: Albert Pujols, Cardinals

Second Base: Freddy Sanchez, Pirates

Outfield: Aaron Rowand, Phillies

Pitcher: Takashi Saito, Dodgers

Pitcher: Jose Valverde, Diamondbacks

Pitcher: Billy Wagner, Mets

AMERICAN LEAGUE (by Jim Leyland, Tigers)

Shortstop: Michael Young, Rangers

Outfield: Carl Crawford, Devil Rays

Outfield: Alex Rios, Blue Jays

Pitcher: Bobby Jenks, White Sox

Pitcher: Gil Meche, Royals

Pitcher: Johan Santana, Twins

by DeepPurple on Jun 19, 2008 1:37 PM MDT 0 recs

I'm thinking Hurdle

will go with a few Homer picks for his subs:
Holliday and Cook are givens, but I really think he will add Helton. Helton has had a nice career, but is fading at the plate. One last hurrah for the Toddfather.

Which if Hurdle does pick Helton, there is no way he can go with Bucholtz. Thats too many players off a last place team.

Colorado Rockies: Continuing a long tradition of playing meaningless games in June!

by Redhawk on Jun 19, 2008 1:42 PM MDT 0 recs

Holliday and Cook are locks

Cook deserves it; Holliday arguably deserves it on the grounds that he’s a league superstar and has been good this year, if not quite an all-star. Plus, it seems like it would be insanely dumb politics to snub him right before trying to sign him.

As for Helton, I’d love to see him get his last hurrah and certainly less qualified add-ons have made appearances, but its a tough case to make. I think its certainly an interesting situation for Hurdle though. He does not strike me as someone who will be the least bit bothered by the media backlash such homerism would no doubt bring down, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him do it.

Nobody else really deserves mention…maybe Atkins, but not really. Bucky? No shot.

by Teekalong on Jun 19, 2008 2:19 PM MDT up 0 recs

Actually

if hurdle was thinking JUST about winning the all star game, Willie Tavares, could be good choice, as he leads the NL in stolen bases after all. He could be used in a possible critical late inning pinch running situation and then a defensive replacement. It would help the team mix.

But that would be major homer-ism. I like Atkins, I think he’ll get All-star games in the future as a Red Sox 3rd baseman, no reason to force on now.

Colorado Rockies: Continuing a long tradition of playing meaningless games in June!

by Redhawk on Jun 19, 2008 2:32 PM MDT up 0 recs

The Surge is Working...

With the Padres loss to the Yankees today we’re just .002 behind them in the standings. A win tonight let’s us leap frog them into a third place tie with the Giants.

by Rox Girl on Jun 19, 2008 2:38 PM MDT 0 recs

Bucky=All Star

I believe he’s played to that level this season. We might have been in more serious do-do than we are now if not for his contributions this year.

I completely understand that he has no shot at making the team, but that does not negate the fact that he has been one of our top 5 (maybe even top 3) players in 2008.

All IMHO, of course.

Blame the Red Sox!

by rockhead on Jun 19, 2008 2:45 PM MDT 0 recs

Bucky

has a lower ERA than Marmol, no blown saves to Marmols 1, 0 HR to 4 off Marmol, 0.79 WHIP to 0.77 for Marmol, holds the same. Marmol has more K’s so I don’t see where Marmol has a big edge. Marmol also gave up 2 game wining HR’s in a week.

by DieHardRox on Jun 19, 2008 3:05 PM MDT 0 recs

Well

I don’t think either will make the All Star team. I just think Marmol’s Ks and playing in Chicago give him a little more respectability if he were picked. (yeah, I realize that’s not fair at all).

But the Cubs are going to have plenty of better candidates for the All Star team, all deserving, but some one won’t make the team: Derrick Lee, Soriano, Fukudome, Aramis Ramirez, Soto, Zambrano, Dempster, and Wood. If Marmol makes the team, that means another deserving Cub doesn’t

Colorado Rockies: Continuing a long tradition of playing meaningless games in June!

by Redhawk on Jun 19, 2008 4:03 PM MDT up 0 recs

Marmol

has a HUGE edge in K’s. He’s also thrown a huge amount more innings (making his ratios much more impressive).

The blown save was a dropped ball by Soriano.

Marmol has been the team’s best reliever.

by rosenthal on Jun 19, 2008 5:03 PM MDT up 0 recs

Ladies and Gentleman, I give you your NL All Star team (as I see it)

Ok, I have too much free time this after noon
There are 32 players per team. Last year the split was 21 position players and 11 pitchers. If the all star voting ended today, here’s your NL team as I see it, including bench. Remember each team gets at least one player. Leading vote getters are on top (3 for OF).

1b: Berkman-Astros
Pujols-Cards
A. Gonzales- Padres
T. Helton- Rockies

2nd: Utley- Phillies
Uggla- Marlins
Hudson- Dbacks

3rd: Chipper Jones-Braves
David Wright- Mets

SS: Tejada-Astros
Guzman- Nationals
Hanley Ramierez- Marlins

C: Soto-Cubs
B. Molina-Giants
R. Martin- Dodgers

OF: Soriano- Cubs
Fukudome-Cubs
Griffy Jr – Reds
Nate Mclouth/or X. Nady Pirates
R. Braun- Brewers
M. Holliday Rockies

Pitchers:
SP: E. Volquez- Reds
T. Linecum – Giants
J. Santana- Mets
B. Webb- Dbacks
A. Cook-Rockies
B. Sheets-Brewers

RP: B. Lidge-Phillies
K. Wood-Cubs
Billy Wagner-Mets
Jon Rauch-Nationals
Brian Fuentes-Rockies

Based off this…look we get Fuentes as a closer. Really looking around the league he’s got a good ERA, and throws left handed. It’s not a bad placement. Hoffman might get a last hurrah pick, others there are Valverde with the Astros, Capps with the Pirates, Wilson with the Giants, or Lyon with the D-Backs

Colorado Rockies: Continuing a long tradition of playing meaningless games in June!

by Redhawk on Jun 19, 2008 4:54 PM MDT 0 recs

couple of notes

I did get a position player from every team, though that’s not the rule.
Pirates AS will either be McClouth/Nady and or Capps
Nationals will be either: Guzman and or Rauch
Only one Padre on this list: Gonzales No Peavy (too many Starters)
One Dodger: Martin

Colorado Rockies: Continuing a long tradition of playing meaningless games in June!

by Redhawk on Jun 19, 2008 5:04 PM MDT up 0 recs

More I think about it

the more I think Fuentes makes the All Star team. Really increases his trade value

Colorado Rockies: Continuing a long tradition of playing meaningless games in June!

by Redhawk on Jun 19, 2008 5:12 PM MDT up 0 recs

Ludwick

might deserve it over Holliday.

by rosenthal on Jun 19, 2008 5:06 PM MDT 0 recs

thought about him

also there is a case for Kemp as well

Colorado Rockies: Continuing a long tradition of playing meaningless games in June!

by Redhawk on Jun 19, 2008 5:07 PM MDT up 0 recs

Kemp

doesn’t deserve it exclusively because he was taken the * down by Yorvit. You can’t get punked like that and make the ASG.

by rosenthal on Jun 19, 2008 5:08 PM MDT 0 recs

which is why I didn't put him on the list

Hurdle is picking after all

Colorado Rockies: Continuing a long tradition of playing meaningless games in June!

by Redhawk on Jun 19, 2008 5:10 PM MDT up 0 recs

If we're really going

to use the Hlogic (Hurdle logic… Even the term itself isn’t logical):

Jamey Carroll will be traded over and be used as a defensive replacement despite the fact that, you know, he sucks.

Clint Barmes is on the roster because he hasn’t just had ONE good month… He’s now had TWO good months (ignore the 12 shitty months in between).

And, lastly, Helton will bat cleanup.

by rosenthal on Jun 19, 2008 5:16 PM MDT up 0 recs

I didn't think he would, but

Buchholz actually has a case to make the All-Star team.

The biggest nod in his favor is his WXRL, which basically blends his performance with the leverage situation in his appearances, and Buchholz ranks fourth in baseball, third in the NL (for relief pitchers).

That said, I wouldn’t put him on. His actual leverage number of 1.56 is good but not great, meaning he hasn’t been under the gun near as much as the true elites, and considering the Rockies’ meager record, he’s not stealing any wins.

As far as his performance goes, he’s been pretty lucky. His k/9 isn’t quite to seven yet, but his BABIP is edge closer to the Mendoza line, where his career number is closer to .280. That’s quite a few balls in play that are finding gloves and not holes, and the GB numbers are neutral too, so it isn’t entirely by design.

Low BABIP’s stay around much longer when you whiff almost 14 per 9, as Marmol does, and unless Buchholz picks up the K’s, his numbers will regress a bit over the second half.

Don’t get me wrong, he’s a bonafide set-up guy that limits free passes, but as an All-Star (truely elite pitcher) he is not.

by David OhNo on Jun 19, 2008 10:50 PM MDT 0 recs