Tucson – Third baseman Ian Stewart is 20 in the same way Tyra Banks is pretty. He goes 6-feet-3, 220 pounds and mocks his age with every swing.
The Rockies’ 2003 first-round draft choice is the only player to hit the batting cage roof from the back field in camp, an estimated 460 feet from home plate.
“I didn’t really see it, but I heard it,” said Stewart, who went 0-for-4 but played flawless defense in Monday’s intrasquad game. “It’s pretty cool.”
In his first big-league camp, Stewart’s goose bumps have disappeared. He credits Todd Helton and erstwhile Rockie Vinny Castilla for accelerating his transition. He worked out with them for nearly three weeks this winter at Coors Field.
“Todd really took care of me and that helped because at first you are a little bit in awe,” said Stewart, who will begin the season at Double-A Tulsa with top shortstop prospect Troy Tulowitzki. “And Vinny was great. We talked a lot about hitting and how to play third base.”
Given his hitting prowess, a September call-up is not out of the question for Stewart. He has impressed teammates, who generally spend more time razing rookies than praising them.
“He is a big, strong kid. He generates a lot of power,” slugger Matt Holliday said. “You watch him and it’s obvious why he was a first-round pick.”
Negro Leagues’ Hall call
Rockies reliever Ray King considers himself a bit of a historian. As part of his heavy involvement in the players union, he educates teammates on those who made sacrifices before them. As such, he was pleased Monday to learn that 17 Negro Leagues, pre-Negro Leagues players and executives were voted into the Hall of Fame.
Effa Manley, co-owner of the Newark Eagles from 1936-47, is the first woman elected to Cooperstown.
“Regardless of their color or race, it’s just nice they are being recognized,” said King, an African-American. “It’s appropriate. There were great players, like Jackie Robinson and Satchel Paige who made it, but there were a lot of others who never made it to the other side who also helped paved the way.”
Footnotes
Catcher Yorvit Torrealba played in Monday’s intrasquad game despite an inflamed throwing shoulder. “I feel about 60 percent better than I did. I should be better for Wednesday’s (Cactus League opener).” … Jeff Francis, headed to Canada’s World Baseball Classic team, has stood out in early bullpen sessions. He’s keeping his weight back better during his delivery, creating a more deceptive arm angle with a downward plane. … Nate Field, who left camp for a few days to attend to a personal matter, and Manuel Corpas, weak from the flu, are the only pitchers not available for games. Field threw a bullpen session Monday, but Corpas may not pitch again before he joins Panama’s World Baseball Classic team. … Pitching coach Bob Apodaca left the scrimmage pleased by the three total walks. He singled out Juan Morillo and Ubaldo Jimenez because of their improved mechanics and control. … Converted outfielder Ryan Shealy made a nice play on Stewart’s long flyball into the right-center gap. “Yeah, there were a few butterflies,” Shealy said.
Staff writer Patrick Saunders contributed to this report.
