On the Verge
Yes, finally, we are on the verge of Opening Day, just a meazly weekend away from baseball games everyday that count. With spring training winding down, I decided to summarize the major highlights and lowlights of the spring.
Highlights
Ian Stewart- The kid cooled off a little, and, it is only spring training, but Stewart dazzled folks with the power and hitting potential that the Rox and minor league gurus have been talking about for two years now. It is unlikely that Stewart will have a major impact at the big leagues this season barring multiple injuries, but next season could be a different story. The talk, however, continues to center around Stewart finding a new position rather than Atkins finding a new position or team.
Todd Helton- Thankfully there were no mentions of Helton's elbow or back this spring. Back in January Helton had surgery to clean out his elbow. The word was that he would be completely ready by spring training, but you just never know with these things. Last spring Helton had problems with his back that affected him all season. There has been no mention of his back this spring, although, they didn't mention is back problem last spring until this winter, so only time will tell.
Choo Freeman- Knowing this spring was probably his last chance to hang around the organization, Freeman has shown at least glimpses of the player that has been talked about for awhile now. Freeman, along with Cory Sullivan, will give the Rox a fairly legitimate chance at fielding centerfield well.
Winning- After winning the first two games of the spring, the Rox lost six in a row. Since then they are 13-6 with two ties. Again, it is only spring training, but hopefully it is a sign of good things to come.
Lowlights
Ryan Shealy- The project to convert him to the outfield was abandoned when he aggravated an old elbow injury making routine throws into the infield. Having Shealy's bat on the bench would have been a significant boost for the team, but now he will likely be traded this season once teams feel his elbow is fine. Shealy will start the season on the DL.
Fifth starter- Given the handful of candidates for the position one would have hoped that someone would have taken charge and claimed the job. That hasn't happened. What's left is Clint taking the least poor and hoping for the best. This problem will be magnified with the injury to BK Kim that will cause him to start on the DL. The DITR poll has given a slight edge to Sunny Kim, but he isn't healthy either.
Low low lowlight
Closing the right field upper deck- For an organization that was once proud and thriving, this is the ultimate low.
To get you completely in the mind-set of baseball, I wanted to throw out a couple of things. First, did you know that there are eight unique ways for a batter to reach first safely: hit, error, base on balls, hit by pitch, dropped third strike, catcher's interference, fielder's choice, and fielder's interference. Also, can you think of a scenario where a pitcher could win a game without throwing a single pitch? Let me know your thoughts.
Until next time, Go Rockies!
Highlights
Ian Stewart- The kid cooled off a little, and, it is only spring training, but Stewart dazzled folks with the power and hitting potential that the Rox and minor league gurus have been talking about for two years now. It is unlikely that Stewart will have a major impact at the big leagues this season barring multiple injuries, but next season could be a different story. The talk, however, continues to center around Stewart finding a new position rather than Atkins finding a new position or team.
Todd Helton- Thankfully there were no mentions of Helton's elbow or back this spring. Back in January Helton had surgery to clean out his elbow. The word was that he would be completely ready by spring training, but you just never know with these things. Last spring Helton had problems with his back that affected him all season. There has been no mention of his back this spring, although, they didn't mention is back problem last spring until this winter, so only time will tell.
Choo Freeman- Knowing this spring was probably his last chance to hang around the organization, Freeman has shown at least glimpses of the player that has been talked about for awhile now. Freeman, along with Cory Sullivan, will give the Rox a fairly legitimate chance at fielding centerfield well.
Winning- After winning the first two games of the spring, the Rox lost six in a row. Since then they are 13-6 with two ties. Again, it is only spring training, but hopefully it is a sign of good things to come.
Lowlights
Ryan Shealy- The project to convert him to the outfield was abandoned when he aggravated an old elbow injury making routine throws into the infield. Having Shealy's bat on the bench would have been a significant boost for the team, but now he will likely be traded this season once teams feel his elbow is fine. Shealy will start the season on the DL.
Fifth starter- Given the handful of candidates for the position one would have hoped that someone would have taken charge and claimed the job. That hasn't happened. What's left is Clint taking the least poor and hoping for the best. This problem will be magnified with the injury to BK Kim that will cause him to start on the DL. The DITR poll has given a slight edge to Sunny Kim, but he isn't healthy either.
Low low lowlight
Closing the right field upper deck- For an organization that was once proud and thriving, this is the ultimate low.
To get you completely in the mind-set of baseball, I wanted to throw out a couple of things. First, did you know that there are eight unique ways for a batter to reach first safely: hit, error, base on balls, hit by pitch, dropped third strike, catcher's interference, fielder's choice, and fielder's interference. Also, can you think of a scenario where a pitcher could win a game without throwing a single pitch? Let me know your thoughts.
Until next time, Go Rockies!
posted by Todd Nikkel | 7:14 AM
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