Monday Rockpile: 1B Production Past Helton An Issue

Tracy vetoes Helton’s plea to play | All Things Rockies — Colorado Rockies news — Denver Post

After a big boohoo piece on Friday about Todd Helton, the reality still exists that Beltin' Helton needs his rest. Last season the team talked about giving Helton more time off and sitting him more often and so on and so forth, but it seems like it was mostly lip service, given Helton's midseason collapse and DL visit. He himself recognized the need to rest more, wanting to have meaningful ABs come September. Thus far, Tracy seems to be true to his word, benching Helton at seemingly random intervals, but at least somewhat consistently.

So far in 2011, it seems to be working, as Helton's posting a .315/.377/.463 line (.370 wOBA, 119 wRC+). The downside is that Jason Giambi has batted a mere .214/.313/.429 as a 1B and Ty Wigginton .077/.143/.154 at the same position. I can't help but wonder if Mike Jacobs would be an upgrade at the Backup 1B position... nah.

Popups not exactly what Gonzalez wants in key at-bats - The Denver Post
Speaking of batters in a pile of trouble, Carlos Gonzalez had a moderately more successful day at the plate, going 0-2 with a sac fly and a walk. Bryan documented a bit of Gonzalez' troubles on Saturday, citing fewer fastballs and over-aggressiveness at the plate.

Morales can’t lose in early days with Rox | All Things Rockies — Colorado Rockies news — Denver Post
Not everything is terrible, though. One of the new acquisitions, Jose Morales, is batting .278/.409/.389 (.325 wOBA, 90 wRC+...there has to be a typo or something there, there's no way an OBP-heavy near-.800 OPS has a sub average batting line) right now, and doing a fine job as a backstop. Jim Tracy has nothing but praise for him, and interestingly enough, describes Morales as a "real nice complement to Chris [Iannetta]".

Again, interestingly enough, Morales joined the Twins originally as an infielder and made the conversion to catcher in 2003. Jordan Pacheco joined the Rockies as an infielder, and is now a catcher...and transitioning back to some sort of hyper utility guy. Just saying.

Off Topic

Dexter Fowler foils another bid at history | ColoradoRockies.com: News
OK so MAYBE I've been a bit too hard on Fowler. Since April 7, he's batting .295/.405/.393, and despite the lack of stolen bases, has been generally doing a great job leading off. As I say for roughly everyone and everything, let's reevaluate at the end of May and we'll make some weightier comments.

Iannetta nears return to Rockies' lineup | ColoradoRockies.com: News
Chris Iannetta sat out most of the weekend with back tightness. He's looking to start today against the Cubs.