Who's on Third?
Jeff Francis won the last poll. Visit the previous polls page to see the full results. The new poll is somewhat of a follow-up. Please vote on the webpage.
On Monday, the Rox optioned Jeff Baker to Tulsa. This came as a surprise to me, as well as many others in the Rox’ blogosphere. The fact that Baker was optioned was no surprise, but where. The unanimous consensus was that Baker would be playing third everyday in Colorado Springs. This move is presumably so Baker can get a full workload in the outfield, which is fairly set at CS. This does make sense given the Rox’ recent indications that Atkins will hold down third base until Ian Stewart is ready, leaving Baker without a long-term position with the Rox. The Rockies’ solution? Move Baker to the outfield. This is all fine and dandy I suppose, but it does beg the question, initially posed by my baseball buddy Scot, who will play third at CS? Good question. After rummaging through the possibilities, I came up with two, Andy Tracy and Tim Olson. Tracy was at CS last season and out of 117 games, played 17 at third and 100 at first. We know he won’t be playing first, that’s Ryan Shealy’s job. As for Olson, in 37 games last season at Tucson, he played eight at third base. The most likely scenario is a platoon situation while the player with the off day serves as the Sky Sox’ primary pinch hitter. If you have any ideas, please let me know.
In a separate, but related note, Dan Lucero, in Up in the Rockies, reports that another third base prospect, Matt Macri, has been converted to second base. This is further evidence that the Rox figure Stewart will be a star and are quickly trying to find alternative positions for their other third basemen, which, until now, was a deep pool of talent.
Just four days
Soon we will embark on what I like to consider a series of 162, 2-3 hour therapy sessions. Unfortunately, we may need therapy from the therapy. Click here for the official “DITR Philosophy of Life”.
Amendment to the Roster Analysis
It seems I was pretty much right on the money for the lineup in my roster analysis in the last posting. Don’t worry; I won’t let it go to my head. When I get something right, I generally attribute it to the “Blind Squirrel Theory”. The bullpen, on the other hand, is possibly a bigger question mark than it was last week. The Rox’ higher ups are, I’m guessing, crossing their fingers with Tsao. It’s not as though Tsao will be the savior for this team, but the next best option for closer seems to be Fuentes, who is best suited in a set up role. According to Tracy Ringolsby in the Tuesday RMN, Allan Simpson has pitched his way back into contention after a poor start in the spring. The Rox also seem determined to keep Marcos Carvajal, a Rule 5 guy from the Dodgers system. This would leave one spot open for Oliver, Speier or Cortez. If I had to guess right now I would say Speier or Cortez, who both have options left and could go to CS when Aaron Cook is ready and takes a spot in the rotation with Wright moving to the bullpen. As for Carvajal, keeping him would be at the expense of either Speier or Cortez, who have both pitched better in the spring than Carvajal. However, not keeping him would mean giving him back to the Dodgers, which is almost always a bad option. This was John Sickels’ comment when I asked him about Carvajal:
Fastball 93-95 MPH, sometimes as high as 98. Breaking ball very erratic and his command is not always up to par. Good long-term potential but will struggle if over exposed in the majors right now.
Keeping Carvajal may very well pay off dividends in the future, although at the expense of a better bullpen now. This is, however, consistent with the Rox’ commitment to youth and the future that has been well documented.
Good news Rox fans! Baseball Prospectus has the Rox ranked 26 in the majors in the latest hit list, up from 29. There’s hope after all!!
On a rather sad note, Andres Galarraga has decided to call it a career, announcing his retirement on Tuesday, one home run short of 400. The Big Cat’s open stance and contagious smile will sorely be missed.
On Monday, the Rox optioned Jeff Baker to Tulsa. This came as a surprise to me, as well as many others in the Rox’ blogosphere. The fact that Baker was optioned was no surprise, but where. The unanimous consensus was that Baker would be playing third everyday in Colorado Springs. This move is presumably so Baker can get a full workload in the outfield, which is fairly set at CS. This does make sense given the Rox’ recent indications that Atkins will hold down third base until Ian Stewart is ready, leaving Baker without a long-term position with the Rox. The Rockies’ solution? Move Baker to the outfield. This is all fine and dandy I suppose, but it does beg the question, initially posed by my baseball buddy Scot, who will play third at CS? Good question. After rummaging through the possibilities, I came up with two, Andy Tracy and Tim Olson. Tracy was at CS last season and out of 117 games, played 17 at third and 100 at first. We know he won’t be playing first, that’s Ryan Shealy’s job. As for Olson, in 37 games last season at Tucson, he played eight at third base. The most likely scenario is a platoon situation while the player with the off day serves as the Sky Sox’ primary pinch hitter. If you have any ideas, please let me know.
In a separate, but related note, Dan Lucero, in Up in the Rockies, reports that another third base prospect, Matt Macri, has been converted to second base. This is further evidence that the Rox figure Stewart will be a star and are quickly trying to find alternative positions for their other third basemen, which, until now, was a deep pool of talent.
Just four days
Soon we will embark on what I like to consider a series of 162, 2-3 hour therapy sessions. Unfortunately, we may need therapy from the therapy. Click here for the official “DITR Philosophy of Life”.
Amendment to the Roster Analysis
It seems I was pretty much right on the money for the lineup in my roster analysis in the last posting. Don’t worry; I won’t let it go to my head. When I get something right, I generally attribute it to the “Blind Squirrel Theory”. The bullpen, on the other hand, is possibly a bigger question mark than it was last week. The Rox’ higher ups are, I’m guessing, crossing their fingers with Tsao. It’s not as though Tsao will be the savior for this team, but the next best option for closer seems to be Fuentes, who is best suited in a set up role. According to Tracy Ringolsby in the Tuesday RMN, Allan Simpson has pitched his way back into contention after a poor start in the spring. The Rox also seem determined to keep Marcos Carvajal, a Rule 5 guy from the Dodgers system. This would leave one spot open for Oliver, Speier or Cortez. If I had to guess right now I would say Speier or Cortez, who both have options left and could go to CS when Aaron Cook is ready and takes a spot in the rotation with Wright moving to the bullpen. As for Carvajal, keeping him would be at the expense of either Speier or Cortez, who have both pitched better in the spring than Carvajal. However, not keeping him would mean giving him back to the Dodgers, which is almost always a bad option. This was John Sickels’ comment when I asked him about Carvajal:
Fastball 93-95 MPH, sometimes as high as 98. Breaking ball very erratic and his command is not always up to par. Good long-term potential but will struggle if over exposed in the majors right now.
Keeping Carvajal may very well pay off dividends in the future, although at the expense of a better bullpen now. This is, however, consistent with the Rox’ commitment to youth and the future that has been well documented.
Good news Rox fans! Baseball Prospectus has the Rox ranked 26 in the majors in the latest hit list, up from 29. There’s hope after all!!
On a rather sad note, Andres Galarraga has decided to call it a career, announcing his retirement on Tuesday, one home run short of 400. The Big Cat’s open stance and contagious smile will sorely be missed.
Like my friend Rick says, TTFN.
posted by Todd Nikkel | 8:05 PM
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