Colorado Rockies Weekly Ratings: Week 3

The Colorado Rockies snapped a five-game losing streak with two wins over the San Diego Padres to split the series at Coors, bouncing back a bit from a week in which they got swept by the Dodgers in LA and lost two to the Padres at home.

I'm going to just copy and paste the introduction from last week for those of you who might be seeing this for the first time or for those who want to reacquaint themselves with how the weekly series works, but otherwise feel free to skip the first part.

Series Overview

The "Team Performance" section will give a quick recap of the Rockies' week and provide a basic look at how the team did as a group.

In the second section, "Performances/Ratings," I'll be writing a short blurb summarizing each players' performance since the last post, which will appear in the "Comments" column. The "Performance" column will include an icon indicating a positive weekly performance, a negative one, a "meh" or "didn't play enough" week, or an injury. These are purely arbitrary, and I'm sure you'll disagree with at least a few of them. There's no rhyme or reason to which icons I give a player, and you'll probably find my evaluations inconsistent on a weekly basis. My hope, however, is that they provide a fun look at each player and provide points to kickstart discussion in the comments section.

The final two columns represent the community's opinion on each player's performance. At the very bottom of this post, you'll find a survey asking you to rate each player. Every Friday, I'll include the average rating each player received in the "Week (#) Rating." As we get further into the season, I'll include the prior week's ratings to show how players have been performing on a weekly basis. In other words, the "Week (#) Rating" column will represent the past week's ratings as indicated by the community. The "Prior Rating" column will include the ratings from the week before the rated week, or two weeks before each post. Finally, each quarter of the season I will post players' average rating as given by the community.

The "Studs" and "Flops" section will look at the entire league. While I will try to include three of each every week, there's no set number. I may select a player who stood out, a coaching decision, etc.

Big shoutout to Sage Farron's RockiesRoster.com. The absolute best sources of all information pertaining to the roster, I used his website for each player's position and level.

Finally, please participate in the form! I know it is long, but your input is an integral part of my weekly feature!

Team Performance (2-5)

Note that this isn't the Rockies' overall record, but how they've done since the last article. I've seen some really funny .gifs involving dumpsters lately, and the Rockies certainly played like garbage for much of the week. They were absolutely hammered in Los Angeles, losing the three-game series by an aggregate score of 20-6, with one of those games ending in a shutout. Tough week for the Rockies, but a homestand against the Giants and a trip to Arizona this coming week gives the team a nice opportunity to gain some ground in the division.

The Rockies had a tough week at the plate, hitting just .228/.293/.393. They've had issues all year with drawing walks and they've been striking out a ton. This past week they drew a walk per every three strikeouts, which was one of the worst rates in the entire league. Pitching was a mixed bag. Keep in mind that for some of the relievers, their stats might not look great, but some of that can be attributed to overuse.

Player Performances/Ratings

Catchers

Name	Position	Level	Comments	Performance	Week 2 Rating	Week 1 Rating
Nick Hundley	C	MLB	Hundley continued his solid year behind the plate, nabbing three baserunners out of a possible six. We say it every week, but Hundley continues to get credit from the pitching staff who all say that he has been terrific at managing games. Nice week at the plate for Hundley, who went 6-for-17 and notched a triple and a home run. He also drew three walks and knocked in two runs. He's hitting .333/.388/.489 on the year and has been a nice acquisition for the Rockies thus far.		7.85	7.78
Michael McKenry	C	MLB	Michael McKenry logged two starts this past week and made a handful of appearances as a pinch-hitter. Before Wednesday's victory over the Padres, McKenry was just 0-for-5 on the week, having drawn a single walk and whiffing three times. In his second start, however, McKenry went 3-for-4 with a double and a stolen base. Furthermore, no bags were swiped under his watch, which is a nice departure from the previous week. His season slash line is now .294/.333/.353 with a double and a walk, although he does have seven strikeouts this year.		3.8	N/A
Wilin Rosario	C/IF	AAA	Rosario went 3-for-7, notching two doubles while whiffing twice. Unfortunately for Rosario, the need for reinforcements in the bullpen has seen him optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque. He's sort of buried on the depth chart, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him dealt to an American League team sooner rather than later. I'm going to upgrade Rosario from the down arrow to the dash. Although it is nice to see him go 3-for-7, limited playing time and his continued defensive struggles keep him from getting a green.		4.48	7.26

Infielders

Name	Position	Level	Comments	Performance	Week 2 Rating	Week 1 Rating
Cristhian Adames	SS/IF	AAA	Adames went 10-for-28 this past week through seven games, picking up two doubles, three RBIs, four walks, and striking out just once. He had a terrific game Tuesday in the Isotopes' win over Tacoma, going yard twice and drawing a walk. He's helped the Isotopes turn seven double plays, committing a single error this past week. His slash line is .351/.422/.526. Adames has looked really good in Triple-A this year, and I think he's definitely making his case for a call should an infielder be needed.		N/A	N/A
Nolan Arenado	3B	MLB	Nolan Arenado played five games this week, an encouraging sign given his two-game absence due to soreness in his wrist. The wrist didn't seem to both him too much, as he went 4-for-8 following his brief absence. For the week, Nolan went 7-for-19 and hit two doubles. He also helped turn a double play. Consistently good Nolan remains consistently good.		9.27	8.95
Charlie Culberson	2B/Utility	MLB	60-Day DL		N/A	N/A
Daniel Descalso	IF	MLB	Descalso went 2-for-9 this week, drawing two walks while whiffing four times. He did drive in a crucial run in both the Rockies' wins this week, but I still can't get over his year's line of .167/.250/.167 and BB/K rate of just .25. At least there weren't any errors this week. I'm going to give him the dash because of his clutch hits this week, but ultimately I'd like to see someone else in his role. If Adames continues to look as good as he has, I wouldn't mind the Rockies giving him the call.		2.31	4.17
DJ LeMahieu	2B/IF	MLB	DJ cooled off at the plate this week, going just 3-for-19. He did, however, make the most of those hits, recording a double and a home run while driving in four. He was caught stealing third on a pretty dumb decision, but the game was a blow out so it didn't change anything in the end. He also helped turn seven double plays, but we've come to expect that from him, haven't we? Tough call here, but I'm giving him the dash. Yeah, that batting average of .158 is ugly, but he drove in runs and provided the fantastic defense we've come to expect from at second.		9.12	7.97
Justin Morneau	1B	MLB	Morneau went 4-for-16 this week, crossing the plate three times and driving in one. He committed an error on a ball he should've grabbed, but was otherwise solid at first. Not a poor week, not a great week, just kind of eh.		6.58	5.41
Ben Paulsen	1B/3B	AAA	Paulsen had nine hits last week in 27 ABs and collected three doubles. He also drove in six and drew five walks. Nine strikeouts is kind of ugly, but he's hitting .313/.411/.458 on the year and got himself on base in each of the Isotopes' seven games this past week. He did commit an error, but has been playing well overall.		N/A	N/A
Troy Tulowitzki	SS	MLB	Tulo had a decent week at the plate, going 6-for-25 with two doubles and a home run. He drove in three, but failed to draw a single walk and struck out seven times. Two runs were attributed to a rare error at short, but Tulo looked fine otherwise as the Rockies were able to turn a number of double plays.		6.88	9.14
Rafael Ynoa	2B/SS	MLB	Ynoa was pressed into service due to Nolan's injury and went 3-for-10 at plate. Recording one each of a double, walk, strikeout, and an RBI.		3.00	N/A

Outfielders

Name	Position	Level	Comments	Performance	Week 2 Rating	Week 1 Rating
Brandon Barnes	CF/OF	AAA	Barnes went 8-for-26, playing in six of the Isotopes' seven games and hitting at the top of order. He hit two solo home runs, doubled twice, drove in three, stole a base, and drew four walks.		N/A	N/A
Charlie Blackmon	LF/OF	MLB	Blackmon hit .250/.300/.536, collecting a double, two triples, and a home run. He also drove in five runs and drew a couple of walks, as well as going 1-for-2 in stolen base attempts and recording an outfield assist.		6.65	3.68
Corey Dickerson	LF/OF	MLB	Dickerson was limited a bit this week with plantar fasciitis, but the power was on full display. He went 5-for-20 at the plate, going yard three times. Dickerson drove in three runs and drew two walks. Hopefully the foot injury is something he can play through without further aggravating it.		7.81	8.65
Carlos Gonzalez	LF/OF	MLB	Cringe-worthy display from CarGo this week, who had just one hit in 18 ABs. He's drawn just two walks while whiffing six times and is hitting just .175/.213/.298 for the year. Awful year thus far.		4.19	8.86
Rosell Herrera	CF/IF	A+	Herrera went 6-for-23 with a two triples, three walks, and three RBIs. He struck out ten times, nabbed a bag, and lifted his line to .214/.274/.357. Positive signs this past week.		N/A	N/A
Kyle Parker	RF/DH	AAA	Parker went 2-for-23 in six games, driving in two runs, stealing a base, and drawing three walks. He struck out, however, twelve times, giving him 20 on the year through 55 ABs. He did hit his second home run of the year, but Parker hasn't been playing well.		N/A	N/A
Drew Stubbs	CF/RF	MLB	0-for-13 with seven strikeouts. Horrible year so far for Stubbs.		2.44	2.83

Starting Pitchers

Name	Position	Level	Comments	Performance	Week 1 Rating	Prior Rating
Tyler Anderson	SP/RP	N/A	N/A		N/A	N/A
Chad Bettis	SP/RP	AAA	Bettis went 5.2 innings in his first start of the week, allowing eight hits but just one run. He walked two, but whiffed five and did well working around some trouble. Bettis lasted seven innings in his next outing, allowing two runs on three hits. Nice week for Bettis after getting blown up in his first start.		N/A	N/A
Eddie Butler	SP/RP	MLB	Butler went just five innings in his one start, allowing two runs on six hits. Very nice to see Butler walk just one and whiff four. Good outing for Butler, but I'd like to see him go an extra inning in his next start.		6.04	6.2
Tyler Chatwood	SP/RP	MLB	60-Day DL.		N/A	N/A
Jorge De La Rosa	SP/RP	MLB	Hrnggggg. JDLR made his long-awaited return to Coors and turned in a short, two-inning performance we'd all rather just forget about. Seven earned runs — nine total — are ugly marks on the stat sheet, but I guess that's to be expected when you allow nine hits and issue a free pass. Ugly, ugly, ugly.		N/A	N/A
David Hale	SP/RP	MLB	Assigned to the Modesto Nuts for rehab, Hale tossed 2.1 innings of no-run baseball. He struck out three and looked pretty good on the mound.		N/A	N/A
Kyle Kendrick	SP/RP	MLB	Kendrick allowed six runs on seven hits in his first outing against the Dodgers, walking four while striking out six in an effort that took 104 pitches to get through. His next start against San Diego was much better; Kendrick went seven innings and allowed four runs. That's really the type of start I'd like to see from Kendrick. If he can go seven innings and allow somewhere between three and five runs, that's a solid performance from a guy at the back of the rotation and should allow the Rockies to stay in games.		3.16	8.44
Jordan Lyles	SP/RP	MLB	Lyles has been solid this year, going over six innings in each of his starts. Although he did give up four runs in a six-inning first start of the week, he allowed just one in second start in which he went 6.2. His ERA sits at 2.92 and he's now 2-1.		7.23	7.31
Tyler Matzek	SP/RP	MLB	Matzek gave up two runs in five innings and struggled to throw strikes, walking six batters in a 7-6 loss to the Padres. He's got the stuff to miss bats. I'd like him to throw some more pitches in the zone and try to cut down on the walks.		6.81	N/A
Chris Rusin	SP/RP	AAA	Rusin had two starts this week, going five innings in the first and six in the next while allowing four earned runs and two respectively. He issues a single walk in his first start and whiffed four, but a three-run homer hurt. Overall, however, Rusin had a nice week and is trending upwards.		N/A	N/A

Relief Pitchers

Name	Position	Level	Comments	Performance	Week 2 Rating	Week 1 Rating
John Axford	RP	MLB	Nice to have Axford back, who pitched two scoreless innings in wins over San Diego, issuing a walk and whiffing three. He also picked up his second save of the year.		N/A	8.58
Christian Bergman	RP/SP	MLB	Bergman tossed 2.2 innings of relief, allowing an inherited runner to score after coming on to clean up Oberg's mess. He struck out two, walked none, and has yet to allow a run.		7.15	7.9
Rafael Betancourt	RP	MLB	Betancourt pitched 3.2 innings of relief over four different games, whiffing four and walking none. He was credited with allowing an earned run after Boone Logan allowed an inherited runner to score, but Logan's night was garbage so it isn't fair to hold the run against him.		7.88	8.53
Rex Brothers	RP	AAA	In two innings of work, Rex struck out four and walked two, allowing one run on two hits in Sunday's game. Again, however, Rex needed 43 pitches to get through those two innings and threw only 23 of them for strikes.		N/A	N/A
Brooks Brown	RP/SP	MLB	Poor week for Brooks Brown, who allowed three runs in three games over 3.2 innings.		7.61	8.16
Jairo Diaz	RP/SP	AAA	Diaz pitched an inning each in three games last week, sandwiching a poor performance between two good ones. In the two good appearances, Diaz didn't allow a hit and walked one. In the other, Diaz allowed two runs on two hits in an inning.		N/A	N/A
Christian Friedrich	RP/SP	MLB	Friedrich pitched 3.2 innings over two games, allowing four runs on six hits. He did strike out two, but overall it wasn't a good week for Friedrich.		7.85	7.88
LaTroy Hawkins	RP	MLB	Hawkins allowed two runs on four hits in three games. He went 2.1 innings, walking one and striking out three. Tough week for Hawkins.		3.77	4.83
Tommy Kahnle	RP	AAA	Two runs allowed over four innings of work, Kanhle struck out four and avoided walking a batter, but gave up a run in two games out of three this week.		N/A	N/A
Boone Logan	RP	MLB	Logan went an inning on Monday's loss to the Padres and 0.2 in Tuesday's loss. He looked fine Monday, striking out two and giving up a single hit. Tuesday, however, Logan allowed three runs. It's hard to blame him too much, however, as JDLR's poor start forced the bullpen to pitch a ton of innings.		7.38	8.06
Adam Ottavino	RP/SP	MLB	Ottavino didn't allow a hit in two innings over two games and picked up the win on Wednesday. He's been the rock of the bullpen.		9.77	9.06
Jorge Rondon	RP	AAA	Rondon allowed his first run of the season. He pitched an inning each in two games and has an ERA this season of 1.35.		N/A	N/A

I'm skipping the "Studs of the Week" and "Flops of the Week" sections to go on a bit of a tangent. This will be a —hopefully — one-time feature, but I have finals so it'll be going up tomorrow as its own post. It is also going to be long, so I don't want to put it here on an already longish post. Thanks for reading!