Nolan Arenado’s Low-Key Persona Fuels His Stardom | Sports Illustrated
Stephanie Apstein spent a day in the life with Nolan Arenado and wrote a pleasantly revealing piece that really gives her readers a special opportunity to get to know the All-Star third baseman. As you learn in the article, Nolan is a man of few words and even fewer social interactions. He is one of the game’s very best players (ranking 5th in total bWAR since 2013 at the time of publication), but remains one of the most reserved. The last time he invested in a social media presence was when AOL Instant Messenger was still popular.
It might not be ideal for Major League Baseball from a marketing standpoint, but it’s ideal for Nolan and the Rockies. If Apstein’s profile makes anything very clear, it’s Nolan’s work ethic and drive to win are second to none. He could live in the spotlight, but he chooses to live in the film and weight rooms, or in the batting cage. Nolan might not have the most exciting persona, but he’s happy with his lifestyle here in Colorado and is looking forward to cementing his legacy with the Rockies.
New father Estevez returns to Rockies’ bullpen | MLB.com
Some very happy news came from the Rockies clubhouse yesterday, as Carlos Estévez revealed that his newborn baby girl and wife are doing well. Carlos explained that there were some scary times before and after the delivery—preeclampsia is no joke, I know from experience—but the Estévez girls are happy and healthy.
Estévez will return to a bullpen in dire need of help. Sam Howard was optioned back to Triple-A to open a roster spot for Carlos, who will bring a 4.26 ERA (and identical FIP) and 11.01 K/9 with him. Entering Saturday, Carlos had the 3rd best ERA- (84) out of the Rockies bullpen, behind only Scott Oberg and Jake McGee, and should provide a much needed boost to a struggling relief corps.
Noah Yingling writes about some of the comments Mike Tauchman made recently on a MLB Network Radio show, and the former Rockies outfielder sounds like he greatly prefers the way the Yankees operate their franchise. He gives a pretty resounding endorsement of the Yankees team culture in contrast to the Rockies, and while he doesn’t say anything explicitly negative about his time in Colorado, well, you can read between the lines.
Tauchman, as you all know, is having a breakout year in the Bronx. In 63 games, Mike has a 3.2 bWAR (a .301/.375/.581 slash line, 150 OPS+, and 12 DRS) while the Rockies outfield of David Dahl, Raimel Tapia, Charlie Blackmon, and Ian Desmond have combined for -0.5. Phillip Diehl, who the Rockies acquired for Tauchman, isn’t exactly having a great time in the minor leagues, either, and the trade appears to be another bullet point in an ever-growing list of moves made by the front office that have failed.
On the farm
The Isotopes put on a hitting clinic and scored thirteen runs, led by Drew Weeks, Pat Valaika, and Sam Hilliard, but the real story was Rico Garcia’s solid performance. Rico has had a very difficult year in Triple-A, but he pitched six innings of two-run ball, giving up just four hits and a walk, while striking out four batters. Let’s keep it rolling, Rico.
Casey Golden hit two home runs for the JetHawks in a walk-off win, and Matt Dennis—the pitcher—hit a two-run home run for the Yard Goats. #PitchersWhoRake
Triple-A: Albuquerque Isotopes 13, Round Rock Express 3
Double-A: Binghamton Rumble Poines 7, Hartford Yard Goats 6
High-A: Lancaster JetHawks 9, Visalia Rawhide 8
Low-A: Greensboro Grasshoppers 8, Asheville Tourists 0
Short Season-A: Boise Hawks 10, Eugene Emeralds 2
Rookie: Great Falls Voyagers 3, Grand Junction Rockies 2
DSL 1: DSL Colorado 6, DSL Royals2 4
DSL 2: DSL Rockies 5, DSL Twins 2