Rockies pitching coaches helping young staff | MLB.com
Phil Rogers has an excellent profile of Steve Foster and Darren Holmes, two key coaches in the Rockies' success so far this season. Pitching coach and bullpen coach were the only two staff positions Jeff Bridich didn't let Bud Black hire himself. And Black seems completely happy with the situation. He told Rogers that he just let's them "do their thing." (The principle to not stand in the way of someone's success seems to be a primary characteristic of Black's managing style altogether.)
Foster and Holmes approach their pitchers with a combination of experience, mechanical insight, and advanced analysis. For example, they encouraged Jon Gray and Chad Bettis to throw more curveballs because of the spin rate those pitchers get out of their benders. Previous administrations discouraged curveballs altogether for fear that they weren't as effective as other breaking balls at altitude. I'm glad Foster and Holmes stuck around, and I'm glad they're getting profiles like this.
Colorado Rockies have too many good starters. Is that a problem? | Rox Pile
Kevin Henry addresses the possible starting rotation crunch with Jon Gray and Chad Bettis on the path to returning. Black, however, realistically points out that there's never really a point where a team has "too many starters." Things happen, such as Tyler Anderson's knee inflammation, that make an overcrowded rotation a blessing.
There is a thin reason why Rockies reliever Carlos Estevez continues his carousel ride to Triple-A | Denver Post
Nick Groke talks about Carlos Estévez's moves between Triple-A and the major leagues.
Purple Row
Imagining a Colorado Rockies statue park | Purple Row
Ted Chalfen had an excellent article yesterday about something that should absolutely happen, even if not in the exact form proposed. The Rockies have enough history that there are plenty of great moments and players to capture and install in and around Coors Field.
The Ian Desmond situation is already getting awkward | Purple Row
Also yesterday, Hayden Kane identified some of the awkward questions surrounding Ian Desmond. We'll have a counterpoint later this morning.
MLB Draft 2017: Projecting the Rockies’ first five picks | Purple Row
The draft is on Monday. While the Rockies don't have a first rounder, RockShow did some work to identify some players the Rockies might take with their first five selections.
NL West
Giants shut out by Twins, Ervin Santana | McCovey Chronicles
Ervin Santana and the Twins beat the Giants in San Francisco last night. The Giants only mustered four hits.
Padres 6, Royals 3 | Gaslamp Ball
Jhoulys Chacin pitched well in the Padres' victory over the Royals.
Justin Turner returns to spark Dodgers offense in win over Reds | True Blue LA
Justin Turner hit a home run in his first game back from the disabled list. The Dodgers are a really good team, and they'll hang around the top parts of the NL West standings all season.
Arizona Diamondbacks 6, Milwaukee Brewers 8: Live Beercap! | AZ Snake Pit
The Brewers beat the Diamondbacks yesterday at Chase Field, dropping the D-backs record to 37-26.