Troy Tulowitzki was born to play baseball. To hear him tell the story, his birth 20 years ago was celebrated not with balloons, but a ball and a bat placed in his tiny hands.
“I am a baseball player; that’s all I wanted to be,” Tulowitzki said. “That’s me, that’s who I am.”
Now he’s a first-round draft pick of the Rockies, a slugging shortstop determined to take the fast track to the big leagues.
Unable to find contract compromise with long-coveted Tennessee pitcher Luke Hochevar of Fowler, the Rockies grabbed Tulowitzki, a star at Long Beach State who is expected to sign as early as this week.
“We feel like he’s going to be in (the big leagues) sometime in ’06, so to waste any time with a holdout would be pretty silly,” adviser Paul Cohen said. “We are all on the same page. Once we get on the same phone call (today), I expect it to get finalized quickly.”
Tulowitzki, expected to receive a signing bonus slightly above $2.3 million, talked as if he were already a member of the Rockies’ organization during a conference call. He plans to begin his professional career in the Single-A California League, following the path of best friend and reigning AL rookie of the year Bobby Crosby of Oakland.
“The Cal League is close to home. That would be perfect,” said Tulowitzki, who grew up in Sunnyvale, Calif., as an A’s fan. “It’s awesome to go to the Rockies. I think it’s a great fit for me.”
Rockies scouting director Bill Schmidt compared Tulowitzki’s style to Clint Barmes, the leading candidate for NL rookie of the year before he broke his left collarbone Sunday. Tulowitzki’s position, however, raised eyebrows, since the Rockies are stacked with third base and shortstop prospects, including 2004 No. 1 pick Chris Nelson.
“Guys have given me a hard time with all the first basemen we’ve had to move (Garrett Atkins and Brad Hawpe); now we draft shortstops. They tend to be the best athletes,” Schmidt said.
Besides his strong arm and power, Tulowitzki’s willingness to avoid protracted negotiations influenced the Rockies’ decision. The team backed off Hochevar when contract talks went nowhere Monday.
The pitcher, who starred at Fowler High School before anchoring the Tennessee Volunteers’ staff, didn’t express any regret after slipping to the Dodgers with the 40th pick overall.
“I am excited. I went to a great organization. I am fired up about it and so is my family,” Hochevar said from Knoxville. “Things happen for a reason, and this is where I was supposed to be.”
In 39 games this year, Tulowitzki hit .349 with eight homers and 29 RBIs, missing time with a hand injury. He was one of 10 position players selected by the Rockies in the first 18 rounds.
“It was important for us to get the first-rounder out playing right away, and all indications are we should get Troy on the field quickly,” Schmidt said.
Right-handed pitcher Chaz Roe, a lanky high school pitcher from Kentucky, was taken with the 32nd selection overall. He expressed no fear of Coors Field.
“Obviously everyone knows it’s a great hitter’s park,” Roe said. “I have never been to Denver. I am anxious to see it.”
Of note in the later selections was outfielder Bert Berglund, from Littleton by way of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
“He’s got raw tools,” Schmidt said. “His skills are not polished, but he’s a very athletic kid who can play a variety of positions.”
Troy Renck can be reached at 303-820-5457 or trenck@denverpost.com.
