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Walt Weiss on Rockies hot seat; Arenado, Gonzalez back him
After consecutive 90-loss seasons, the Rockies' manager's job could be in serious jeopardy. The club's two star players don't necessarily believe that should be the case, though, writes Nick Groke. Nolan Arenado and Carlos Gonzalez, to some degree, are just playing good soldier, but one quote in particular from the latter sticks out:
"It’s tough on him because you don’t have the guys any manager would ask for, rotation-wise."
If you've been paying attention to what some of the higher-profile players on the team have been saying to the press, it appears that there's been a bit of a "pitchers vs. hitters" battle in house for most of this season. Some quotes no doubt could have been taken out of context or misunderstood (like this one from Jorge De La Rosa?), but this isn't the first we've heard from players who matter about the Rockies' lack of pitching.
To some degree, CarGo is right; Colorado really failed to field a competitive pitching staff this season, and it was that way from the very beginning. But a failure to grasp -- by everyone in the organization, top to bottom -- how to win under the Rockies' unique circumstances is the biggest, most important issue to address. Things are headed in the right direction in some respects, but it's going to be a while before we see a winning team again at 20th and Blake, regardless of who is managing.
2015 California League Top 20 Prospects - BaseballAmerica.com
Three Rockies prospects -- Ryan McMahon (No. 4), Antonio Senzatela (No. 6) and Raimel Tapia (No. 17) -- placed in BA's California League Top 20 list. We will soon have more on all three players from a discussion we recently had with Rockies director of player development Zach Wilson.
California League In A Box - BaseballAmerica.com
More on the top performers in the California League this season.
Buzz the tower: "THIS GAME" can be a Rockies game | Mile High Sports
From the author, Casey Light:
"Baseball is about what you do in September and beyond. It’s not about having the NL Player of the Month for July. It’s not about a third consecutive Gold Glove. It’s not about winning the RBI crown or a possible home run title. It’s not about an outfield party deck, Fudd hat giveaway or Star Wars day."
Have at it.
Blogpile
Rockies Smash! - Rockies Zingers Colorado Rockies Baseball
Ryan Hammon recaps the Rockies' sweep of the Dodgers over the weekend and gives a quick look forward to the team's current series, which the Rockies already trail, 1-0. The best starting pitcher in the series (in terms of DRA-) -- Chad Bettis -- takes the bump for Colorado tonight.
Time's Almost Up For Colorado Rockies' Kyle Parker
Rockies 2010 first-round pick Kyle Parker is running out of time to make his mark at the big league level, writes Bobby DeMuro. Parker struggled in a small sample size this season, but that statement is more about the state of the outfield position in the Rockies' organization than it is about him. It's looking like 2016 will be the real make-or-break year for the former Clemson starting quarterback. Let's hope for his sake (Parker is an extremely nice dude) that he figures it out.