Behind the plate, Danny Ardoin is everything the Rockies want in a big-league catcher. He handles pitchers well, sets a crisp tempo and throws out baserunners with regularity. He has thrown out 44 percent (15-of-34) of would-be stealers, the second-best percentage among National League catchers.
But it’s standing at the plate, with a bat in his hand, where questions remain. Ardoin is hitting just .233, with nine doubles and three homers in 159 at-bats.
That’s part of the reason general manager Dan O’Dowd has said the club will look for a free-agent catcher during the offseason. It’s also why manager Clint Hurdle cannot project Ardoin as his everyday catcher next season.
“Right now, that would be a big challenge,” Hurdle said Sunday. “That might be a big jump for him, being a career minor-leaguer to getting this opportunity to make him a front-line catcher next year. That’s an awful big jump.”
Hurdle wants Ardoin to concentrate on becoming a patient and proficient fastball hitter.
Ardoin is buying into the plan and has no doubts he can become a productive offensive player.
“There is some power in here,” Ardoin said, pointing to himself. “I’m not a home run hitter, but I can hit some doubles and maybe double-digit homers if I get enough at-bats. I have no doubts I can hit .250 or .260. I think it’s just a matter of time.
“I think I am willing to take over the role as catcher and leader if they are willing to give me a chance to.”
“Q” on second
Omar Quintanilla helped turn three slick double plays, and looked as if second base were his longtime home.
The truth is, Sunday marked the first time the rookie played second base in his short major-league career. He previously had started 28 games at shortstop for the Rockies, showing a good glove. But the return of Clint Barmes to shortstop makes it important Quintanilla show some versatility.
“I just went out there today and tried to make outs any way I could,” Quintanilla said.
“After that first groundball, I felt comfortable,” said Quintanilla, who also drove in two runs with a double to left in the fourth.
Footnotes
With a single in the eighth, third baseman Garret Atkins extended his hitting streak to a career-high 10 games. During that stretch, Atkins is hitting .351 (13-for-37) with four doubles, two home runs and eight RBIs. … Dodgers second baseman Jeff Kent smacked the 13th grand slam of his career in the seventh inning and is the major league’s all-time leader for grand slams for a second baseman. He also has 93 RBIs, setting a Dodgers single-season record for a second baseman. … The Rockies donated $50,000 from walk-up ticket sales for Sunday’s game to the McCormick Tribune Foundation’s Hurricane Katrina relief fund.
