Remember last year when Kris Bryant ripped apart the Cactus League only to be sent to AAA to delay his service time clock? George Springer delayed until April 16, 2015? Bryce Harper April 28, 2012? Jordan Zimmermann April 20th, 2009? Evan Longoria April 8th, 2008?
I’m NOT comparing Trevor Story to these guys. But on a bad team, with a black hole at SS, he has earned the job from Opening Day. The Rox could (and should) make the bold move of giving him what he has earned. Could it cost the Rox down the road? Sure, it “could.” But what if it earns the Rox a little street cred with Agents? Heaven forbid, what if the Rox earned a reputation of being fair with young players. What if Story proves to be legit and the Club approaches him two years down the road with a Club friendly deal to buy out his arbitration years? Think maybe he might remember the Rox did the right thing?
Lots of questions here. The Rox should dare to be bold.
Not on topic, but here’s one from ESPN if you didn’t see it:
http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/page/springtraining_daviddahl/after-losing-spleen-collision-david-dahl-rising-colorado-rockies
Thanks Bob.
Off topic as well but did you all see that Juan Nicasio struck out 10 batters in 4 innings today!! Has not allowed an earned run in spring.
Also, Eric Young Jr. is batting .370 for the spring with an OPS of 781!
The Rockies need to take lessons from the Pirates on how to handle pitchers. Nicasio struck out the last 7 batters he faced and only allowed one hit to Machado.
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/gametracker/recap/MLB_20160316_PIT@BAL
Nicasio was miscast as a SP. Had he been slotted in as a reliever, he might still be here.
Unfortunately, this happens (miscasting RP as SP) all to frequently here. I think it might be happening to Eddie Butler now. Dare I say……It might be happening to Jon Gray as well (go ahead and pooh-pooh me….I can take it).
Apparently the Pirates disagree with you since they are stretching him out as an SP.
I have a lot of respect for the Pirates….so I’m not arguing with them!
Bob K – 5IP, 8Ks for Nicasio today. I believe that’s 15 IP, 24Ks so far this spring. I don’t believe he’s allowed a run.
His end results were good today but he would not have gone much deeper in the game with 5 hits, 2 walks and men on base every inning. He is now up to 5 walks in his 15 innings pitched. Nicasio may well be this year’s Pirates reclamation project that makes good. It never was going to happen the way the Rockies handle pitchers. I hope you are right in the Rockies dumping Weiss this year. It is my opinion… Read more »
Nicasio made the SP rotation with the Pirates.
Some interesting results from today’s ST game vs. the Halos (I’m back in CO, so these are simply box score observations): Gray goes 4 IP. Only needed 55 pitches. Only one BB. Hopefully he threw at least a few curve balls. A Bettis/Gray/Lyles/JDLR/Chatwood (setting aside my personal opinion about managing him) rotation is not awful. In fact, if they can stay generally healthy, I can see it being a park adjusted “average” National League rotation. Way under the radar, Jason… Read more »
It really doesn’t take much to be better than Boone Logan.
Carp, I noticed that too in the gameday feed — looked like Gray was sharp. I kept waiting last year for that one dominant start that would make us all say o.k., maybe he is a future ace after all. I do think it’ll come early this year. On the other hand, they dragged Hoffman over from minor league camp and he got torched. Oh well, plenty of time for him. Gameday pitch-by-pitch had the velocity numbers: Gray 94-96, Hoffman… Read more »
Miguel Castro: 98-99 pitching the 9th today. Carp, I’m think you were right here may be right here – he may be a great fit in the bullpen.
I think so (Bull Pen). The major league game had evolved so much in the post-PED era. There’s no shame in being slotted to the BP, even early in a career. The value of high leverage relievers is at an all-time high. If there’s a kid with a power arm that is struggling to find a 3rd and/or 4th pitch……so be it. Keep it simple. Let them fling it from the Pen.
The reason that no one signed Justin Morneau this off season is because he had elbow surgery.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/03/justin-morneau-out-til-mid-season-after-offseason-elbow-surgery.html
Don’t forget we have Eddie Butler, German Marquez, andAntonio Senzatela. Half of me says put Senz in AAA but half of me says AA. Senz had been impressive in camp. When I saw him on MLB.tv he had pinpoint control and stayed out of fat part of the plate.
I’m just pointing them out cuz inevitably at least two or three SPs will hit the DL during the season.
Chris Rusin, and even our old friend Johan Flande, is out there also. Here’s what “should” happen (again, I’m setting aside my personal feelings about managing Chatwood’s health); Jake McGee Jason Motte Justin Miller Chad Qualls Jason Gurka Miguel Castro Boone Logan Johan Flande Chad Bettis JDLR Jon Gray Jordan Lyles Tyler Chatwood I’m not listing Chris Rusin (yet) because I’m guessing he’ll need some extra time due to his (mild) injury. I’m also not listing Scott Oberg because I… Read more »
While Rusin may start the season on the DL, he won’t be starting in Albuquerque because he is out of options.
I see you made your list without any regard to the 40 man roster or out of option players.
Bob – I purposely disregarded the 40 man roster, because I still believe we’re carrying several non-worthy players. However, I frequently lose track of options, so that’s (Rusin) a mistake on my part. Sorry about that.
Knowing our penchant for injuries, I suspect Rusin will be contributing on the Major League Roster by May. I suppose they’ll keep him on the DL and in extended ST until that time.
Even knowing that we have a bad team, I can’t wait anymore for OD! So I’m jumping the gun with my projected OD lineup: Blackmon CF LeMahieu 2B CarGo RF Arenado 3B Reynolds/Paulsen 1B Parra LF Hundley C Adames SS until past minimum time to delay service time for Story Pitcher bench – Reynolds/Paulsen, Ynoa (until Story arrives then DFA replaced by Adames), Garneau (let Murphy play everyday at AAA), Raburn, and Barnes (useful for late inning defensive replacement)
Good call on Murphy.
Are any of you guys and girls following this CWS/Adam LaRoche saga? It’s getting ugly fast!
I know the basics. While I can see that kids should not become clubhouse regulars to the apparent extent that this boy has, and it’s an extreme decision in some ways by LaRoche, I am really disappointed in the vitriolic disbelief directed at him for making this choice. “How could he leave $13 million on the table? Idiot!” #familyfirst
Certainly seems like it could have been handled better by the Sox.
Eddie Butler and Tom Murphy sent to minor league camp.
Also sent to minor league camp are:
Carlos Estevez
German Marquez
Raimel Tapia
Sam Moll
Noel Cuevas
Jordan Patterson
http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/168043872/rockies-makes-roster-cuts
Very nice, effective 4 IP from Jordan Lyles today, on the heels of Gray’s nice 4 IP yesterday.
Gray: we all heard that he was shelving the curve for now. I checked the gameday pitch-by-pitch after his last appearanace. It was 100% fastballs and sliders. So that off-speed 3rd pitch thing is still a work in progress. Carp, as you’ve said, that’ll be the difference between him being a reliever – and maybe a very good one – vs. a front-end of the rotation starter. I’m thinking it’s more likely at this point that he starts the season… Read more »
It is a HUGE (or YUGE as Bernie Sanders says) mistake to scrap the curve. YUGE! The Rockies minor league pitcher development is disgustingly bad. Take a look at this Mark Wiley character’s coaching history profile (Wiley is our pitching “guru”). It’s basically awful, with a couple of blips of average. In the meantime, the Pirate’s Ray Seargage is about to turn Juan Nicasio into a serviceable #5 for them. Take a long, hard look at Carlos Rodon (CWS –… Read more »
Now our boy Jon Gray is headed for an MRI. Likely Abdominal injury while fielding, turning, and throwing to 2nd. Typically, at bare minimum, these Ab injuries take at least 2 weeks of total down time. Then a slow buildup (or re-build). My guess is that he’s lost for 4 weeks minimum. 6 weeks is probably a better guess, 8 weeks wouldn’t shock me. Let’s take the 6 week option for sake of discussion. That means he comes back early… Read more »
I’m no kid, but I’m pretty damn sure I can grab a ball, swivel, and throw without having a hernia. Pretty much every pitcher is a wuss these days. (I’m now officially channeling Ed the Ump.) That’s why a guy like Bumgarner is worth his weight in gold. 200 + innings pitched 5 years in a row, and that’s not counting lots of playoff/WS innings. I’m sure he’s “felt something” from time to time when he swings for the fences… Read more »
Totally agree Ag. Can you see Nolan Ryan back in the day feeling something and reporting this to his trainers? I would like to think if I were in Gray’s position my arm would have to fall off before I would report anything to the trainers. I don’t mean to sound like a meat head but I don’t think true ace/bulldog type pitchers would go on the DL for this type of thing. This attitude is why he will never… Read more »
The attitude, but more importantly, the fact that he can only throw two pitches (which he can’t consistently command) are the reason he’s taken the wrong fork in the road. “Keith Law” are two really hated words amongst Rox fans (and I sort of get it). That being said, Law recently dropped Gray from his top 100 Prospects. Law’s reasoning – entering professional year 3, Gray still only has two pitches and has seen a drop in velocity. This is… Read more »
Equally, people rip players for keeping quiet about injuries, leading to long-term shelving or worse. So which is it? (And how do you know how severe this is, that you are ripping the kid? I don’t like it, Ag. But the coach comment has merit.)
OK, Roxnsox, you have a point – I don’t know what’s wrong with Gray, and I’ll really look like a fool if it turns out to be something serious. Maybe I just feel as if the Rockies culture over the years has turned into less of “I have to try every way possible to stay on the field so the team can compete” to “I better watch out for myself first, particularly since this team isn’t going anywhere with or… Read more »
Ag, these are very good points as well. Sad commentary on the possible mindset(s) in their culture. Hope not. Also, I apologize for calling you out. That’s not my place or my (usual) way.
Every now and then, I think someone pays attention to us.
http://dptv.denverpost.com/2015/03/31/is-keith-dugger-part-of-rockies-problem/
Thanks for the link, sdcarp–interesting that they were talking about this last year and still… I’m thinking the culture that needs to change is the attitude of the organization– win every 5-6 years is horse puckey. The underlying message in the dugout is we’re cursed. I would imagine it’s easier to endure the process if you’re on the DL. Dugger babies them and management condones it. Doesn’t sound like a winning attitude to me. Poor us but we’ll party on.… Read more »
Sometimes (ok – maybe many times) I’m the driver of the “Criticize the Rockies Front Office” bandwagon. But I like to think I’m fair and willing to point things the Rox do right. With that in mind, I ran across this story today via several different media outlets: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/03/diamondbacks-seek-pursue-new-ballpark-chase-field-rumors.html It blows my mind that the DBacks think (right or wrong) that Chase Field is obsolete, and it highlights just how elite Coors Field is, even 23 years after it opened.… Read more »
Hey, Carp, rest easy, my friend. You may be the bus driver, but your bus is full of true believers who believe the Rox would be a much better team with new ownership. Please don’t feel obligated to congratulate them on having the best party-park in the NL. It only proves they’re in baseball for the money and not for the love of the game. As a passenger on the bus, I’d much rather listen to you feed me factual… Read more »
Anyone’s feelings about party decks aside, it’s great to have a clean, well-maintained baseball park. I don’t think there’s any diversionary tactic here by carp.
“I don’t think there’s any diversionary tactic here by carp.”
You are correct Roxnsox. I’ll be back ranting soon, very soon.
Status update on Rox SP pitching (in ML or relatively close to ML) with just over a week to go to opening day: #1 – Chad Bettis. Looks good. Having a nice Spring. I believe he will be improved over last season. #2 – JDLR. Same old same old. Average pitcher at best. I think he’s far enough removed from his TJ surgery that we won’t see any post-op velocity improvements. Also, I think his TJ is recent enough that… Read more »
I’ve heard a lot about Mr. Story and seen a bit too (watching today – his 5th HR). I’d love your overall assessments. I sure like him. Is he a 5-tool guy? 4?
I saw Story warm-up and play in ST. Physically, from the neck down, he’s a clone of Arenado. Strong, fast-twitch athlete. Like Arenado…..I rate him a 4 tool athlete (hit, hit for power, defense, arm)…….but average speed. Keep in mind speed and quickness aren’t necessarily related. Like Arenado, Story is plenty quick enough to defensively cover his position. The Scouts will sometime knock Story for making the difficult play and missing the routine play. That’s a common complaint with young… Read more »
Thanks! Good info. I wondered about the 5 tools because the announcers said yesterday something like “he can fly” (as he was heading for a double, I believe).
We’ve got us a good homegrown shortstop!
I think he’s faster than Arenado. He can be an opportunistic base stealer. Maybe 12-15 per year. But in scouting lingo, I believe the “tool” jargon is reserved for much above average. I think his speed is probably “average” for a Major League SS.
BTW……I could be flat wrong!
Trevor Story is so much faster than Arenado that it isn’t funny. I would put Arenado in the same class as Helton when it comes to speed.
Story of course is nowhere near Raimel Tapia in speed (who else on the Rockies is?) but I believe he has above average speed since he has been able to score from first when the batter hits a legitimate double.
In my 2016 prediction (BTW – everyone needs to make their predictions!), I stated that I believe DJ will more or less verify his 2015 numbers. If that occurs, I think he might become our most “tradable” player. I say because Christian Adames is a good athlete and Forest Wall is on the way and DJ is still cheap.
This will be something to keep an eye on.
shhhhhhhhh……don’t tell anyone, but Chad Bettis looked really good (again) today. Not Rockies good, any team good.
You and I have a totally different view of what a good outing looks like. Bettie only went 5 1/3 inning. It took him 98 pitches to get that deep in the game. He did leave the game only having given up 2 runs but left with 2 men on base that Justin Miller quickly allowed to score making a total of 4 runs in 5 1/3 innings.
Bob – you’re correct.
What I saw was velocity, movement, differential velocity (meaning he could follow an 80 mph curve with a 95 mph fastball) and really good athleticism fielding his position. He also looked confident.
I actually watched a replay last night. Looked to me (more with the benefit of hindsight and watching the 2nd time) that we was working on the curve and threw it more than he would in a regular season game.
We’ll soon enough.
Ladies and Gents – does Tony Wolters’s make the team? Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe Dustin Garneau is out of options. Regardless, Garneau has a LONG minor league history. None of it suggests that he’s anything more than a backup C on a bad major league team (at best). Couple this with the fact that the Rox have Tom Murphy stashed in ABQ, Jackson Williams likely in Hartford, and really, really good Prospect Dom Nunez in Modesto.… Read more »
To the best of my knowledge, Dustin Garneau has 3 options and Wolters has 2 options. http://rockiesroster.com/rockies/40-man/ Ryan Casteel, Tom Murphy and Jackson Williams are all assigned as catchers to Albuquerque. Wolters has looked good at 2nd base and has hit well this spring. The impression that I get is that they are looking at adding Wolters as a utility player rather than as just the backup catcher. I am guessing that Ynoa doesn’t make the team (2 options) and… Read more »
I think Garneau and Paulsen both make the 25 man roster. The only problem I see with adding Wolters to the 25 man roster is his development would probably be better if he was playing daily instead of sitting on the bench.
AA level is the highest Wolters has gone. I’d play it safe and stash him in AAA and then bring him up permanently in late May.
Good info regarding the options remaining.
I hear what your saying regarding playing everyday. I can see that angle if they visualize Wolters as a Catcher. But if they visualize him as a unique, super-utility type, he can probably get the time now at the major league level.
If I’m reading correctly, you’re advocating a bench of:
1 of Paulsen/Reynolds
1 of Barnes/Raburn
Adames
Garneau
Wolters or Ynoa (I’d much rather see Wolters)
12 pitchers (likely in early April with days off).
I forgot about Raburn in my calculations. Because of his options I don’t think Ynoa has a chance of making the team. At this time Raburn isn’t even on the 40 man roster. I personally have not been impressed with Raburn. He appears to be strictly a platoon player against left handed pitchers. I am guessing that Raburn makes the team just because that is how the Rockies do business. That will probably leave Barnes in the minors because of… Read more »
“nterestingly enough Spillbourghs was saying that Paulsen is a career .280 hitter against left handed hitting.” Obviously should be pitching and not hitting.
To let u know, if you discover a typo after posting, just click on “Edit” link right after the date/time stamp of your post. That way you don’t have to write another post to make the correction.
Thanks for the information but I suspect that option is not available to me since I have never joined the site and am never logged in. I have never seen an “Edit” link and suspect that it is because of the above mentioned reasons.
You do have to log-in Bob.
Happens to me all the time when I visit using my iphone or ipad. I forget to sign-in with those devices.
I don’t see an Edit link and I’m logged in. ??
Don’t worry about this Edit link for now. I believe our website will be overhauled and be better. When? Don’t know yet.
Ynoa & Schlitter optioned to minors. Looks like Adames & Tulo 2.7 are on the OD roster unless Tony Wolters somehow makes the team. But I remind you that Wolters has played up to AA at the highest level.
I don’t think Raburn will make the team; he didn’t exactly knock down the door and he was signed to a minor league contract so no need to have him take away roster space.
Thanks for the info RMH. I’ve said this before, I’ll say it again (and qualify it once again by saying I may be naïve) – but I think keeping Story with the big Club (because he flat out earned it) to start the year will pay off for the Rox in the long run. Players and Agents appreciate this. I’ll also say this sends a very encouraging message to guys like Tapia, Dahl, Hoffman, etc. If the Rox keep Story,… Read more »
Footnote to my comment above. I say this: “If the Rox keep Story, Adames, and Wolters (first two look like shoe-ins), this is just about as “progressive” as any of us could have realistically hoped to Front Office would be.” I guess I’m one player short. I should have added Miguel Castro (in the bullpen) to that list. I’m not sure if he makes the Club or starts in ABQ, but “if” he makes the Club, that’s truly as progressive… Read more »
Wolters, Adames, and Story all made the team!
Ryan Rayburn also makes the 25 man roster. I am pretty sure that he was promised a position when he signed his minor league deal. Its the way the Rockies do business. Same thing with John Axford last year.
The fence graphic was interesting. I wonder what the material is. Also, Bridich hinted strongly that Story is on the team, service time manipulations be damned. They were discussing him specifically and the GM said “If a player has earned the job and makes our team better, he’s earned the job” or something to that effect.
The fence appears to be essentially chain link (we’ll still be able to see into the BP). Nice chain link mind you.
It should generate plenty of weird bounces.
Jamie Wright to retire.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/03/jamey-wright-to-retire.html
Matt Belisle has made the Nats 25 man roster.
Franklin Morales released by Brewers.
Clint Barmes released by Royals.
Garneau optioned to AAA This means Wolters makes the team. I have to say I’m impressed. This is essentially Bridich’s first ST (IMO he was still learning on the job last ST after he had been promoted only a few months prior). He’s putting his stamp on the team. From strictly a performance perspective, on the field, now……these are the correct decisions. You can (rightfully) debate the merits of some of these moves long term. Let’s see if Miguel Castro… Read more »
Fitting for this thread’s theme: Trevor Story is named our starting shortstop. Fantastic news!
I’m really glad the service time issue didn’t come into this equation. Congratulations to him, he forced the choice on the team through excellent play. Pretty good stuff from a 23 year old guy.
I have to say I am pretty excited for April 4th! I can see myself becoming a fan of Wolters and Story. How cool would that be if Story had a better season in 2016 than Tulo? I realize those are unrealistic expectations but that is what I like to do in the Spring. I’m hoping M Castro makes the big club. If this rotation can have 3-4 career years in it, then I have a good feeling about the… Read more »
Motte has strained shoulder; so if he starts on the 15-day DL, it is likely M. Castro makes the team.
That is not the way I was hoping it would work out…..
RMH’s favorite player (I’m being facetious) Scott Gopherberg got absolutely, positively torched today. As previously reported, Jason Motte has a squeaky shoulder (at best).
It looks as though Miguel Castro and Jason Gurka (who had another really solid outing today) should make the team.
Watching transactions: I always pay attention to other team’s transactions as ST draws to a close. They’ve been fast and furious the last few days. One caught my eye – the O’s releasing Miguel Gonzalez earlier today. He’s got 48 hours to clear waivers. If not claimed, he becomes a FA. He’s owed 5M. That’s not insignificant. He may not be claimed???? Regardless, he’s not great. He’s not young. He’s probably not a fit for us because he’s about equal… Read more »
Miguel Castro makes team. Given the scenario we were in beginning ST, this is like a SDCARP Christmas. The young guys (Castro, Story, Wolters, Adames) are all making the team. For the most part, the best, most talented players regardless of age or contract status are being rewarded. Keep in mind I believe (and have been saying this for 2 years) we’re destined to be awful in the W-L column this year. So there’s virtually no downside (except service time… Read more »
The Snakes suffered a brutal blow late last night……AJ Pollack fractured his elbow sliding into home on an infield single. Pollock fractured the same elbow in 2010…..and had been having elbow issues (muscular) all Spring. He’s now scheduled for surgery. Given the past history of his right elbow, this might be even worse than it sounds on the surface. The Snakes gave up the very good Ender Inciarte in the Shelby Miller deal. Looks as though Socrates Brito will get… Read more »
Antonio Senzetela – my quick, very amateur scouting report. I finally got down to Arizona for a few days and caught Senzetela’s extended appearance (well, 3 out of 5 innings) earlier this week. Weiss put him in to face the heart of the Dbacks lineup in the 4th inning. First hitter, Chris Owings, all fastballs — out on a weakly hit ball. Next hitter, Goldschmidt: all fastballs. Goldschmidt was patient, Helton-like in his approach, and he caught up with the… Read more »
Rockies release Kyle Parker.
Braves add Drew Stubbs to 25 man roster.
As expected, Dan Winkler made the Braves 25 man roster.
Corey Dickerson in OD lineup today as DH hitting 4th!
Dickerson went 1 for 4 with a solo home run.