Friday Rockpile: Growth and maturity for Fowler, Iannetta
by Russ Oates on Mar 27, 2009 7:14 AM MDT
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PrintDexter Fowler believes hitting coach Don Baylor has helped him turn around his spring.
Clint Hurdle praises Chris Iannetta's defensive improvements:
"That package has tightened up," Hurdle said. "The footwork is clean; he's unloading the ball more efficiently. He's really harnessed that whole sequence of events."
Very special boy, indeed.
Manny Corpas and Huston Street continue to battle for the closer job.
Over at Baseball America, Ben Badler has been trying to make some sense of what Dominican Summer League (DSL) stats. Last week he looked at hitting stats, and this week he examined at pitching stats.Ubaldo Jimenez and Manny Corpas appear on the latter list.
Aaron Cook takes the mound later today against the Mariners.
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If what dex says is accurate
Baylor has already made himself worthwhile.
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not to mention
helping Todd find some of that vintage power
Aut Vincam Aut Periam
by PioneerSkies on Mar 27, 2009 10:55 AM MDT up reply actions
I suspect his back surgeon located most of that
Still, I’m really looking forward to opening day now, just to see Helton take Hamels YARD
Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave
by Mondogarage on Mar 27, 2009 12:07 PM MDT up reply actions
I'd be cool with 2-3, 2BB, 2B
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by Andrew Martin on Mar 27, 2009 12:10 PM MDT up reply actions
Actually, against Hamels
That would be considered domination. Not sure I dig our chances with Marquis de Sade on the bump for us, but I’m really looking forward to seeing Hamels pitch in person for the first time.
But I think we’ll be able to put a good 5-6 runs on the board…will it be enough?
Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave
by Mondogarage on Mar 27, 2009 12:12 PM MDT up reply actions
If Marquis goes third
wouldn’t it be DLR for the home opener?
And what’s Hamel’s status for the first week? I was looking around but hadn’t heard if he’ll be back in.
"Wait, what?.....wait, what?.......wait..............what?"--Guy on phone on 16th street mall bus
by frightened inmate #2 on Mar 27, 2009 2:55 PM MDT up reply actions
Pitching Thoughts
I’m like everyone else is a little concerned about the starting pitching. Early Spring Training hic-ups are normal especially with vets, as they work on pitches and mechanics…but come this time they usually start showing major improvement, as they start to stretch themselves out for the season.
This is why I’m concerned about Jason Marquis. He’s not a #1, never will be, but he usually has been fairly consitently average. Average for our #3 pitcher would be fine…but he’s looked TERRIBLE. AND…we don’t have a replacement if he started the year on the DL (unless it’s for the first couple weeks and we break with 4 man rotation) as Smith, Fogg haven’t exactly wowed either.
As for both Franklin Morales and De La Rosa, they look like I expected….flashes of brilliance…flashes of wildness…just what you expect from young lefties that throw hard (anyone remember Randy Johnson’s younger days?)
And I like our bullpen. When we get Bucky back, we will have very short games. With Bucky then Corpas and Street…that makes our games 6 innings long! That’s a formula for winning that I really like
Rockies Mgr. Clint Hurdle on what needs improvement in 09: "Our Record"
Is Morales looking better than DLR?
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by Andrew Martin on Mar 27, 2009 12:06 PM MDT up reply actions
I'm not sure I'd say that
but I give Morales bonus points on youth and potential…
As Sachel Paige said, “Potential, is a fancy word, meaning you ain’t done it yet”
President of the "Sign Pedro Martinez Angry Mob" (fan club didn't make sense)
Any word
On who on other teams might be on the trade blocks due to option issues like Baker? Also, who else on the Rocks is going to have to make the club or face the wavier wire.?
TGFPR!!
Pretty sure Speier & Morillo are on the block
Not so much actively, with Buchholz down, but knowing they need to move one of them in a month, I’m sure they’re willing to listen to offers. Neither has an option, and either would be likely to not make it through the wire.
Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave
by Mondogarage on Mar 27, 2009 10:07 AM MDT up reply actions
Speier
:tear:
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by Andrew Martin on Mar 27, 2009 12:06 PM MDT up reply actions
We obviously won't trade both
I’d rather keep Speier myself, too, because he’s a known quality. Morillo is pitching okay now, but we don’t know that he’s truly turned the corner…and we can get more for a 100mph heater.
Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave
by Mondogarage on Mar 27, 2009 12:08 PM MDT up reply actions
I hope we can fool some teams with the "Live Arm" aspect
we’ll look like fools if it’s real though. I mean 100mph + ability to get outs
Follow me on Twitter! http://www.twitter.com/rockiesmagicnum - But be warned I only actually "tweet" every....well, not often.
by Andrew Martin on Mar 27, 2009 12:09 PM MDT up reply actions
I am proposing a trade to the White Sox
Not sure if need Baker or not, but I would love to get a guy like Thornton in a return.
It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.
My Opening Day Roster
Here’s my opening day roster and lineup. The assumptions are: (1) the roster has to be set today, (2) no trades are made prior to opening day, (3) no new substantial injuries, (4) all current minor injuries resolve prior to opening day, (5) Fowler makes the team, (6) they skip the 5th starter a couple times in April, (6) Atkins is traded before this year’s deadline, and (7) Helton is healthy but rests once a week.
Starting Pitchers
1-Cook
2-Jimenez
3-Marquis (by default I guess, hope for miracle and/or trade)
4-De La Rosa
5-Morales (makes a couple, planned, long-relief roles in April, confidence boost by being on opening day roster rather than CS)
Bullpen
Corpas (CL-TBD)
Street (CL-TBD)
Embree
Speier
Grilli
Rusch
Morillo (Morillo develops mysterious minor injury same day Bucky is ready to come off DL)
Starters (1-8 lineup)
1-Spilly (LF)
2-Tulo
3-Helton (frequent rest, spelled by Atkins)
4-Atkins (Stewart plays when Atkins goes to first, rearrange R-L middle of order)
5-Hawpe
6-Iannetta (~70% of starts)
7-Baker (2B) (the guy has paid his dues and needs a position, degrade in defense from Barmes is balanced with upgrade in defense from Fowler and more power and maybe OBP from Baker over Barmes)
8-Fowler (CF) (If he’s on the roster he has to start a lot, upgrade in defense and speed balances possible downgrade in offense compared to S. Smith starting, begin him in low stress spot in order)
Bench
Barmes – (lowest ceiling of the infielders gets the utility job in my book)
Stewart – (Primary sub at 3rd, pinch hits a lot, takes over 3rd when Atkins is traded by deadline.)
Torrealba – true backup catcher, not split
S. Smith – Top left handed pinch hitter, frequently in outfield rotation
Murton – Top right handed pinch hitter, frequently in outfield rotation
Notes
Q goes to CS if he has options (not sure), G Smith goes to CS – available for injuries in rotation or bullpen, Cargo goes to CS as long as necessary (hopefully long-term replacement for Hawpe, who is eventually traded for cost savings and pitching in a year or two or becomes 1B if/when Helton wears down).
by Fiftytwoeighty on Mar 27, 2009 10:45 AM MDT reply actions
Close
Q does not have options.
I think you are fairly close to the opening day roster. I think Baker will be gone, and Stewart will be starting at 2nd. (yeah I realize you said no trades…..)
And I think Fowler leads off. Yeah, I know but that’s speed we don’t have now. If he bats 8th…the Rockies should bat him 9th and the pitcher 8th. Hell of a line up in my opinion with Fowler and Stewart as upgrades over S.Smith and Barmes. Also like the bench with Barmes, Smith and Murton
I’m not sure about Morales in the pen…he could use those 2 starts in CS to keep him sharp.
I’m starting to get excited about the Rockies chances. It comes down to starting pitching (when doesn’t baseball come down to starting pitching), and the rotation staying healthy, as our only legit pitching replacement would be Chacin…and no one wants to rush him. (yeah, I know we have Hirsh, Reynolds, and Fogg, and Belise)
Rockies Mgr. Clint Hurdle on what needs improvement in 09: "Our Record"
I'm excited about our lineup too
I think we are going to have a great lineup. I respectfully disagree about Fowler though. I think he still needs to refine his offensive game and will end up in CS along w/ CarGo. Now thats an exciting AAA OF. I think it will be Spilly in CF, Hawpe in RF and Smith in LF. I do think at some point in the season Stewie will be starting somewhere and I am thinking maybe LF. I would like to see baker over Barmes at 2B though, but does it weaken our defense up the middle too much?
I have brought this up once before, but what do you guys think about the starting rotation in CS? I am thinking Hirsh, Reynolds, Smith, Hynick, and who might be the 5th? Is there anyone from AA that I’m missing that would move up, like Weiser?
It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.
I'm on board with smokinRox on Fowler in AAA
But Redhawk makes good points and has a good concept there.
Chacin may yet be in AAA. Both him and Weiser could probably benefit from more AA time.
I really want to see what Weiser can do.
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by Andrew Martin on Mar 27, 2009 12:08 PM MDT up reply actions
I would love for it to be Chacin
but knowing the Rox tendency to move slowly w/ these prospects I think he starts in Tulsa. Especially since he had a couple of rough outings to finish his ST. I would be at Security Service Field often if Chacin is there. I’m a little worried Weiser is Smith part II, but if he could be a little more like Francis I would be ok w/ that.
It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.
There were reports of CHacin on the fast track, maybe completely bypassing AA
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by Andrew Martin on Mar 27, 2009 12:17 PM MDT up reply actions
I was overly excited earlier...
…but now, I don’t see how he can’t benefit from at least 5-6 starts in AA.
I can see him starting in Tulsa, being in the Springs by the end of May, and if he maintains his dominance, he’ll be in our rotation by mid-August?
Watching the purple row from high atop the big brown monolith on California Ave
by Mondogarage on Mar 27, 2009 12:27 PM MDT up reply actions
I am in complete agreement
w/ you on this. I was ready for him to jump all the way to our BP to start the season, but after seeing how he did against big league hitters I think he could use some time in Tulsa. I hope its not much time and then quickly to CS.
It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.
From Ringolsby last week
I would think Tulsa would be a good place in his natural progression with the idea he can move up to Colorado Springs and it is always more rewarding to promote a player than to demote. There has been some talk, however, that he could make the jump to Triple-A. Right now, though, you look at Triple-A and it would seem the rotation will fill out quickly with Reynolds, Hirsh, and Smith or Morales (whichever one isn’t the fifth starter). Then factor in the pitchers at Double-A Tulsa last year, including Brandon Hynick, Xavier Cedeno, Alan Johnsona nd Chaz Roe, and it might seem that the best way to go with Chacin is let him get his feet on the ground at Tulsa and then move him after a couple months.
Granted – he’s not the one actually making the decisions, but I totally agree with him.
"Better move your rental cars, I am about to take BP."
-Glendon Rusch
I heard RG say
Cedeno is being moved to the BP, is that true? I would like to see how that goes, although I’m not sure what type of fastball he has it would give us another lefty in the BP. I could see Johnson being that 5th guy in the rotation, and we would have a rotation full of soft tossers. I’m just hoping for a huge year from Connor Graham, he could be the next big arm to gove us hope for a front of the rotation starter.
It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.
I'm totally on the fence with whether Fowler should start in the bigs or AAA.
All I’m sure of is I’d hate to see him on the bench. Offensively Spilly/Smith probably makes more sense but how many runs does Fowler save getting to balls in the gap that Spilly can’t. Hawpe/Spilly/Smith is a nice OBP OF but awfully slow for the biggest outfield in the game.
What if the Hokey Pokey IS what it's all about?
by Fiftytwoeighty on Mar 27, 2009 12:28 PM MDT up reply actions
I just wish we could combine a couple of OFers
into one super human OFer. Our best defensive OF would be w/ Fowler in CF, Gonzalez in RF and Spilly in LF, but our best offensive OF for now is Smith, Spilly, and Hawpe. Runs saved versus runs added is the hard calculation that someone is going to have to do. I think ultimately for now we should stick w/ Smith, Spilly, and Hawpe and give Fowler and CarGo some time in CS. I can’t wait for that OF though, I’m just hoping Fowler and CarGo can turn the offensive corner soon.
It takes a big man to cry, but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.
I wonder if Seth Smith could be converted to a 1st baseman long term?
Just thinking out loud.
What if the Hokey Pokey IS what it's all about?
by Fiftytwoeighty on Mar 27, 2009 12:50 PM MDT up reply actions
Well, it could be fun
But we have Hawpe and Iannetta who might land at 1B within the next 5-10 years (assuming they both play that long and stay with the team, etc)
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by Andrew Martin on Mar 27, 2009 12:53 PM MDT up reply actions
Chacin
is most likeyly going to end up in AAA, but who knows
by Chacinisthefuture on Mar 27, 2009 12:13 PM MDT up reply actions
AAA rotation
don’t forget Fogg and/or Belise might want the assignment. I doubt either would get a MLB job. And Colorado Springs is one elbow sprain away from Denver
President of the "Sign Pedro Martinez Angry Mob" (fan club didn't make sense)
I'd prefer Fowler leading off eventually.
I guess I’m going on the assumption that Fowler’s slightly overmatched to start, and then he’s moved to leadoff relatively soon. I think your scenario is actually more likely to happen, but I can envision Baker being a Jeff Kent at 2nd. I think the Stewart situation works out and doesn’t have to be forced. If they can get something good for Baker I’d move him. I’m just afraid we get a mediocre middle reliver, Baker finally gets at bats and drives in 100 somewhere.
What if the Hokey Pokey IS what it's all about?
by Fiftytwoeighty on Mar 27, 2009 11:54 AM MDT reply actions
Fowler from last year was overmatched
but all reports are this spring, he’s taken huge steps forward with Baylor as his hitting coach, and it shows (granted it’s ST). Throw in his Defensive range, his speed, and youthful potential…..I think it all adds up to Fowler>than S. Smith (and I like Smith).
Baker is ok…but streaky as hell…and injury prone. To have Baker start..you are sitting Stewart..and who has the greater future? Stewart…..so Stewie should get the AB’s. I think Baker is also good enough to have demand from other clubs that would actually give us something for him, and not just wait for him to hit waivers, which would be the case if we kept Baker and Stewart (as Q would be waived)
President of the "Sign Pedro Martinez Angry Mob" (fan club didn't make sense)
Pitching
AS far as pitching I’m hoping that we can hold things together long enough to see if Greg Smith, Greg Reynolds or Jhoulys Chacin are ready in AAA, who know with another month or so down there we could have replacements in system for whoever (Marquis/JDLR) blows up the worst and soonest
by Chacinisthefuture on Mar 27, 2009 12:05 PM MDT reply actions
This makes me giddy
Clint Hurdle praises Chris Iannetta’s defensive improvements:
I was never counting on CDI to be an above average closer. If he can follow Matt Holliday’s trend of improving all parts of his game to supplement hitting ability…..oh how juicy. Maybe CDI will be a 30-30 guy? ha. jk
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 27, 2009 1:34 PM MDT reply actions
closer?
I don’t think Iannetta has the sheer WILL to rack up 30 saves, PF.
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by Andrew Martin on Mar 27, 2009 1:50 PM MDT up reply actions
Hehe
Reading too much into the Street/Corpas battle this morning. Above average defensive catcher I mean…and 30-30 HR/SB (obviously joking)
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 27, 2009 2:10 PM MDT up reply actions
I was thinking
a 30-40 guy wouldn’t be too bad for Chris. 30 HRs and 40% CS would be enough to frighten any team.
"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK
I'm liking the ring of that.
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 27, 2009 3:28 PM MDT up reply actions
i know i just couldn't resist
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by Andrew Martin on Mar 27, 2009 3:57 PM MDT up reply actions
hmm...
“That package has tightened up,” Hurdle said
so Clint Hurdle thinks CDI has a tight package, eh? Dreamy indeed.
Aut Vincam Aut Periam
Haha
what does smallball DBackSkins think about Dreamy’s tight package?
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 27, 2009 5:50 PM MDT up reply actions
LOL
Actually, I noticed that when I read this, but I was mature enough not to make a joke…
Insert witty and/or humorous signature here.
My face
was mature enough not to make a joke?
Also, isn’t that now the 3rd time you’ve posted that video?
Insert witty and/or humorous signature here.
maybe
I’ll switch it up this time.
Aut Vincam Aut Periam
by PioneerSkies on Mar 27, 2009 6:59 PM MDT up reply actions
I'm apparently naive and uncorrupted
I didn’t catch it til PS wrote that
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 27, 2009 8:31 PM MDT up reply actions
PS....
Now we have PF and PS what’s next, JFK? Oh wait that’s me.
"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK
We also have an RMN and RG
sometime DBS. Russ will now be known as “R”
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 27, 2009 11:03 PM MDT up reply actions
If Russ is R
then who was Q?
"A great catch is like watching girls go by; the last one you see is always the prettiest." ~Bob Gibson
JFK
I dunno
Maybe this guy
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 28, 2009 11:06 AM MDT up reply actions
But he's
even less of a real Row user than Azreous and me.
Insert witty and/or humorous signature here.
I know....it's a reach
but it’s the only person registered at PR with a name starting with Q
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein
by Andrew T. Fisher on Mar 28, 2009 7:52 PM MDT up reply actions
But....
he’s not even much of a Snakepitter. He’s way more of a DBBP’er.
Insert witty and/or humorous signature here.
I prefer Exalted One,
but whatever. Though R. is a bit Kafka-esque.
"If we never try, we shall never succeed." - Abraham Lincoln
Purple Row - Covering all your Rockies needs!
Errr....
you don’t get to choose your own nickname unless you’re a Major Leaguer…
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