Tucson – Flashing an ear-to-ear grin, catcher Yorvit Torrealba worked the Rockies clubhouse, exchanging handshakes, bear hugs and best wishes with his new teammates.
He looked like a happy groom.
It’s been a long time coming. Twice in his career, Torrealba has been promised a starting job, only to be left stranded at the altar.
“I’ve been looking for the last three years for the opportunity to play, and it seems like I haven’t gotten my chance before,” he said. “I was really happy and excited about the trade, and I’m still excited about it.”
Not that he’ll win the job without a fight. Manager Clint Hurdle has made it clear that one of the hottest battles of spring training will pit Torrealba, 27, against 31-year-old journeyman Danny Ardoin. Both have earned reputations as superb defensive catchers, capable of handling pitchers and gunning down baserunners. The No. 1 catcher will be the man who drives in runs and shows some pop in his bat.
Torrealba and Ardoin have waited a long time to be the starting catcher on opening day.
Torrealba came up through the Giants organization and bided his time behind veterans Benito Santiago and Mike Matheny. Torrealba thought the starting job was his in 2004, only to see it handed to A.J. Pierzynski. The Giants shipped Torrealba to Seattle in the middle of the 2005 season, and he became the Mariners’ regular catcher.
Though Torrealba didn’t commit an error in 68 games last season, he was jilted again when the Mariners signed Japanese star Kenji Johjima in the offseason. Little wonder Torrealba said he was “thrilled” when he found out he was traded to Colorado at the winter meetings.
Ardoin toiled in the minors for 10 seasons, playing in only 21 big-league games, before breaking through last year. An injury to Todd Greene and JD Closser’s struggles behind the plate – he threw out 7-of-53 (13.2 percent) of would-be base stealers – gave Ardoin his chance.
He responded with sensational defense and leadership. He led the team with 66 starts at catcher and threw out 43.9 percent (18-of-41) of base-stealers, third- best in the NL among catchers with 20 or more chances.
“I know that with Danny, if I get somebody on first base or second base, I don’t have to worry one bit about the runner,” Rockies starter Aaron Cook said. “I can worry about the batter, because he’s going to take care of the runner for me.”
Hurdle is eager to see the competition heat up.
“I have told both of them that they will dictate the playing time they get,” Hurdle said.
It’s at the plate where both must improve. Last season, Torrealba, a .250 career hitter, batted .234 with 12 doubles and 15 RBIs. However, he’s been a terror at Coors Field, batting .343 (12-for-35) in 14 games.
“I’m trying to be more patient at the plate. It’s been my biggest issue,” Torrealba said. “Sometimes the games would get me going and I was so excited that I tried to do it all with one swing.”
In Seattle, Torrealba worked with batting coach Don Baylor, the former Rockies manager.
“He told me just to relax and be patient,” Torrealba said. “It definitely helped me a lot.”
Ardoin hit .229 last season and struck out 69 times in 210 at-bats – an ugly 33 percent. In an effort to cut down on the whiffs, Ardoin closed his stance and shortened his swing.
“I’m trying to be more contact-oriented,” he said. “I thought my strikeouts were a little high. I want to cut those down by 35 or 40 percent and give better at-bats for the team. That’s my goal.”
Patrick Saunders can be reached at 303-820-5459 or psaunders@denverpost.com.
