Ask Clint Barmes what he likes about being a leadoff hitter and he gushes with enthusiasm.
“I’ve always led off and I love it,” the Rockies’ rookie shortstop said Saturday. “I love scoring runs. There is no better feeling in the world than coming across that plate and then getting a high-five from the guys in the dugout.”
Despite Barmes’ recent slump, he remains the prime candidate to be Colorado’s leading man next season. He emerged slightly from that slump Saturday with two bloop singles. Still, Barmes is just 5-for-33 (.152) since returning from the disabled list Sept. 2.
Manager Clint Hurdle said center fielder Cory Sullivan also is a contender to lead off next season, but if Barmes regains his form at the plate, he has the inside track for the job in 2006.
Hurdle has some basic criteria for his leadoff man: He should have an on-base percentage of at least .350; hit between .275 and .300; and have good enough speed to steal at least 15 to 20 bases a season.
Barmes fulfills nearly all of those qualifications. Before going on the disabled list with a broken collarbone in June, he was hitting .329 with an on-base percentage of .371. During his slump, Barmes’ average dipped to .306; his on-base percentage is .348.
Barmes admits he needs to become a better base-stealer. He has just four thefts this season; he has been thrown out four times.
“I had 20 steals last year in Triple-A ball, so I know I have the speed,” he said. “But this is a different deal up here. … But I’m sure I can get 15 or 20 steals a year.”
STREAKING ATKINS: Garret Atkins’ double to left-center in the seventh inning Saturday extended his hitting streak to a career-high 15 games. His streak is the longest by a major-league rookie this season. Juan Pierre owns the longest hitting streak by a Rockies rookie, hitting safely in 16 straight games in 2000.
BIGBIE SITS, WAITS: Center fielder Larry Bigbie’s injured right Achilles is getting better and he’s eager to be more than a pinch hitter. But as long as Sullivan continues his hot hitting Bigbie will sit. “I’m feeling all right, it’s just a matter of when they want to run me out there,” Bigbie said.
