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Sunday Rockpile: Garrett Atkins to get more playing time down the stretch

"Are we still developing young people here? You better believe it," Tracy said, referring to the 24-year-old Stewart. "But is the approach to doing so a little bit different? Yes, it is. Garrett Atkins is swinging the bat right now. [Stewart] is not swinging up to his capability at this particular time. Now, will those scales start to tip in the other direction? More than likely they will, and we'll move on that."

 

Denver Post and the Colorado Rockies Official site:

 

Atkins will get more starts as race heats up - Denver Post

Atkins earning more time at hot corner | ColoradoRockies.com

Alright, before we go the inevitable direction the comments will go with this hot potato, let's look at how the two third basemen have done lately:

Last two weeks:

Garrett Atkins: .280/.357/.560

Ian Stewart: .346/.438/.538

Todd Helton: .348/.367/.457

Last 30 Days:

Ian Stewart:  .288/.400/.470

Garrett Atkins: .217/.333/.391

Todd Helton: .309/.382/.403

Okay, so when you switch to a veteran who hasn't completely been outperforming the younger incumbent of late, to me this looks like Tracy's managing scared. Either that or he's fallen into the Hurdle "loud out" trap and looks at Stewart's ginormous K rate as a bigger problem than it really is and the sheer volume of outs that Atkins makes as a hitter as a smaller problem than it really is. A guy that makes outs two out of three times is less valuable than a guy who makes outs three out of five times, even if the latter's outs come from strikeout a majority of the time. If Atkins was really outplaying Stewart right now, I'd be fine with this call, you've got to go with what will bring you the playoffs, but in this case, I just don't see the justification for the switch.

Meanwhile, the guy that we had to get rid of to keep both of these players is hitting better than either for the Cubs lately:

Regular role fits Cubs 2b Jeff Baker just fine - CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 

I'm glad Bake's getting an opportunity, and let's hope Al Alburquerque turns out well.

Back to the Post:

Rainout costs Colorado as its wild-card lead cut to one - 

Renck: Rockies will win wild card - 

Rockies pitcher Daley's performance big relief -

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"If we never try, we shall never succeed." - Abraham Lincoln

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by Russ Oates on Aug 16, 2009 9:40 AM MDT via mobile reply actions   0 recs

Regarding Atkins,

Could this be some trade baiting by giving him more looks, and also to light a fire under Stewy?

by SDcat09 on Aug 16, 2009 9:59 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Probably not

It’s hard to see why they’d want to trade him at this point, or that they’d give him more playing time if they didn’t think he could actually play. Maybe Tracy is trying to light a fire under Atkins by indicating he’ll play him more.

Leave Dexter alone! You're lucky he even performs for you!

by FooMan on Aug 16, 2009 10:10 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's a good point..

I didn’t think about the lighting a fire under Atty…I like that Idea…:)

by SDcat09 on Aug 16, 2009 10:14 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

off topic

could someone please tell me if fsnrm will be televising both games and when.. thanks

by butterfly on Aug 16, 2009 10:21 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Thanks for your help, much appreciated!

by butterfly on Aug 16, 2009 10:46 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm having serious Rox withdrawal

For some silly reason, I cannot find either game available on MLB Extra Innings…arggh!!! But the good news , is they do have listed 2 viewings of Sox-Mariners and 2 viewings of ChiSox-someone…so thats good…..(not)

by SDcat09 on Aug 16, 2009 10:48 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

I know what you mean

I was getting a bit panicked myself .Two days in a row without the Rockies is pure torture.

by butterfly on Aug 16, 2009 10:59 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Overaction to the Atkins story?

Managing scared? Shouldn’t we wait to see what Tracy actually does for more than a game or two. How often does Tracy do what he’s says he’ll do, and for how long?

I remember when CarGon was called up and he said they’d go with a 4-man OF rotation with Spilly largely sitting. Since then (62 games), here are the OF starts:

Hawpe (57 total OF starts): RF-57, DH-1
Fowler (45): CF-45
Smith (26): LF-26, DH-2
Spilly (21): LF-16 CF-2 RF-3
CarGon (37): LF-20 CF-15 RF-2

Spilly continued to see a lot of playing time. Smith played his way in. CarGon played his way back in, and Fowler partly played himself out.

I’d wait a few days before comparing Tracy to Hurdle. Sheesh, Tracy’s mom might actually read this site, you don’t want her seeing that unless he actually deserves it, right?

That said, I’m surprised Tracy doesn’t actually praise Stewart’s improvement publicly. We haven’t seen homer binges from him, but we have seen him contribute offensively in plenty of other ways, which was missing early in the season.

In addition to the stat-look Rox Girl provided, here’s another:

June: .253 BA, .301 OBP, .547 SLG
Since: .272 BA, .387 OBP, .485 SLG

Sure, you’d like the homers, too, but I’d trade that much of an OBP gain for that much slugging, and more importantly, I’ll take the greater consistency. Most of that June damage was done in 4 games. Even his batting average has improved!

Leave Dexter alone! You're lucky he even performs for you!

by FooMan on Aug 16, 2009 10:40 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

I think the Rockies should use the DH more

to get Smith more AB’s. I also think it will give the Rockies an advantage over the other NL teams that don’t use the DH.

by Redhawk on Aug 16, 2009 10:48 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's just plain and simple

The NL doesn’t use a DH. And thank God that they don’t.

by bballrox4717 on Aug 16, 2009 10:51 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

But I agree

I hate the American League version of the game. A Big chunk of the intricacies of baseball are taken away with the DH

by Redhawk on Aug 16, 2009 10:54 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

this club needs to get into the 21st century

like the yankees

Seth Smith status: Finally Getting Playing time
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY

by Andrew Martin on Aug 17, 2009 9:17 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Atkins vs Stewart

but there is a big difference on the season for Atkins vs Stewart when it comes to hitting with Runners In Scoring Position (If you’ve seen my posts then you know this to me is a key stat in run production, which I think a 3rdbaseman should be).
Atkins is batting .272 .367 .391 .758
Stewart: .230 .320 .517 .838
SO’s? Atkins: 12 Stewart 23
GDP’s? Atkins: 4 Stewart 2
Plate Appearances: Atkins: 109 Stewart 103 ( I was surprised by this)

The big key is in the Slugging. Stewart has 7 Home runs and Atkins 2
They both stink at Late and Close and with 2 outs, but with Atkins having an edge w/ 2 outs RISP. Stewart

Now one area that is starting to be a glaring difference is in the Lefty/Righty splits. Stewart did well hitting lefties, but he’s looking more like a left handed power hitter, and isn’t hitting lefties this year. Atkins isn’t hitting righties….so looks like it’s Platoon time (didn’t RMN have a column on this?)

Now this doesn’t bring up Stewart’s defense, which is superior to Atkins by a mile.

So why is Tracy looking at Atkins? I’ve seen it too. It’s something the stat heads will hate. Atkins seems more confident, and that seems to breed more confidence in the players around him. Stewart seems over whelmed..even when he’s starting to produce. Throw in a long season for a young player, and giving Atkins a few more starts makes some sense, especially as a left/right platoon. Since there are more Right handed starters, that still means Stewart gets the most starts.

(Things I’ve learned from the ’row: Baseball Reference is a great page)

by Redhawk on Aug 16, 2009 10:42 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Is this what it comes down to?

Stewart has the edge with the glove, has plated more runs in fewer RISP plate appearances and the team has a better record with him in the starting lineup, both overall and in August, but it comes down to which player exudes a more manly essence?

Hello! I’m Garrett Atkins and I’m a handsome man!

Leave Dexter alone! You're lucky he even performs for you!

by FooMan on Aug 16, 2009 11:00 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

No

I think it comes down to Lefty/Righty splits.

BUT….team chemistry/mix can be a delicate thing, especially on a level where we are talking about the top players in the nation in a sport. And I do think with Atkins and Stewart that’s in there. To what degree? I dunno….it’s not near as big as the Lefty/Righty Splits. Which are so huge….I’d be having a platoon a long time ago.

by Redhawk on Aug 16, 2009 11:03 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Doesn't team chemistry favor Stewart?

His player of the week coincided with the start of their streak. To keep his hot bat in the lineup, he moved to 3rd, with Barmes taking 2nd, and the successful infield config took shape. That’s been the lineup that’s been winning.

As for the platooning, I don’t have a problem with that, since if you are relying on Atkins to be a bench bat, you should give him starts to keep him sharp. However, Tracy’s pretty much already been platooning them, and his statement that kicked off this thread was that he would give Atkins more starts vs. righties. If it’s a for a few games to kick-start Atkins and give Stewart a rest, no problem. But I question the need to do so over a longer-term. Personally Stewart strikes me as a gamer; he hardly seems like a stathead-only type player.

Leave Dexter alone! You're lucky he even performs for you!

by FooMan on Aug 16, 2009 11:28 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

That confidence rubbing off on other players doesn't seem to show up in the win column...

The Rockies are 5-7 in games where Atkins starts since the All-Star break, 12-4 when he doesn’t. That’s mostly platoon splits, Stewart’s getting to play with CarGo and Smith a lot, Atkins gets to play with Spilly, but the chemistry argument doesn’t have much backing it up at this point, either.

by Rox Girl on Aug 16, 2009 11:13 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

and I'd also add

that I personally think….any chemistry problems can be fixed by winning.

But I do think here is a bit of confidence with Atkins….a knowing what you are going to get. Stewart is all over the place, from looking like the next Mike Schmidt to wondering if he’s ever seen a slider before terrible.

But I don’t know if there is ever any statistical proof on the chemistry think. It’s why I know it drives the Stat people crazy.

by Redhawk on Aug 16, 2009 11:22 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

well good chemistry is like feeling good

you can’t quantify it.

Seth Smith status: Finally Getting Playing time
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY

by Andrew Martin on Aug 17, 2009 9:20 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Weren't you the first person eschewing my call for platoons

Seth Smith status: Finally Getting Playing time
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY

by Andrew Martin on Aug 17, 2009 9:19 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Baker

If only he hadn’t been hurt so much while he was here. It might have been nice to have him on the bench with his ability to spell Barmes and Stewart. At any rate, good to see him getting a chance.

Leave Dexter alone! You're lucky he even performs for you!

by FooMan on Aug 16, 2009 10:42 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

And play SS

That’s what really cost Baker in the end. Atkins can play 3rd and 1st. Q can play SS and 2nd. Baker was really bumped cause he couldn’t play SS…and Atkins has a longer history.

by Redhawk on Aug 16, 2009 10:45 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

but a tad expensive for a bench player

Leave Dexter alone! You're lucky he even performs for you!

by FooMan on Aug 16, 2009 10:49 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

True

but it’s not like the Rockies had much choice on that. Atkins would be even more expensive, to pay him to finish out the season on another team.

by Redhawk on Aug 16, 2009 10:51 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm not talking this year

If Baker hadn’t been hurt so much, and had emerged like the rest of his peers, they might have made different decisions in past off-seasons.

Leave Dexter alone! You're lucky he even performs for you!

by FooMan on Aug 16, 2009 10:56 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

I really wanted Baker as the 2ndbaseman last year

when he came out so flat and looked terrible..he was exposed a little bit. I think Baker is a good enough bench/role player…but not an everyday player.

by Redhawk on Aug 16, 2009 11:06 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Give Baker and Atkins the same amount of playing time for the rest of the year

And it would be almost certain that Atkins would do better. Besides, Baker has the injury bug, while Atkins is almost never injured.

Seriously, if Atkins gets another starting gig with another team after this year, I would expect something like his 2008 year, maybe a little under that performance.

by bballrox4717 on Aug 16, 2009 10:56 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

His 2008 sucked

http://www.purplerow.com/2008/12/14/692327/reasons-we-should-trade-at

Seth Smith status: Finally Getting Playing time
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY

by Andrew Martin on Aug 17, 2009 9:28 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

And

Atkins was pretty much fiscally untradeable. Good for Baker though!

by IowaRockie on Aug 16, 2009 10:50 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

BBtonight:

“The Rockies are the best team no one knows about, and whats getting them there is their pitching”
gave love to Jason Marquis, Aaron Cook, Ubaldo “jim-en-ehs”, and “Mr. De La Rosa”….and then Huston Street.

if you're reading this, it means my undying support for your team will result in its failure.

by fantasyfencing on Aug 16, 2009 10:58 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

"The Rockies are the best team no one knows about INCLUDING US, and whats getting them there is their pitching"

there….fixed it for them

by Redhawk on Aug 16, 2009 11:04 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Baker & Posednick

were both let go because the players they were competing against have a better upside. Very same situation.

If it turns out in the long run Baker puts up better numbers (both off and def) than Barmes, and Podsednick then Gonzalez/Fowler, that would be great for those players, but I’m comfortable with the bets the Rockies made.

by pashley on Aug 16, 2009 11:10 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Atkins

I think tracy is playing a hunch here. Assuming all traces of old Atkins aren’t completely erased, he is a guy with the potential to go off and get very hot. If he does during the next few games, he stays in. If he doesn’t Stewie is back.

Part of his thinking must be that Stewie, like many young guys, may be wearing down and can use a break and Atty is, to put it mildly, “well rested”.

Hey, Tracy’s bought a couple miles of slack with me — if we wants to do something, I say “go right ahead, brother.”

by BroJB on Aug 16, 2009 11:21 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Atkins is winding down, Stewie is winding up

But Atkins skillset, especially his expereince, means that he’s going to have periods where he’s playing very well – and perhaps better than Stewie – and baseball’s such a form game that it makes absolute sense to play him when he’s hot.

by biondino on Aug 16, 2009 1:23 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

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