Denver Post sports writer Troy E. Renck posts his Rockies Mailbag every other week on Fridays during the 2006 Major League Baseball season. The next installment, however, is slated for June 9.
To drop a Major League Baseball or Rockies question into the Rockies Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
There seems to be a growing problem with not being able to have an everyday second baseman in the lineup. What is the potential of having Jeff Baker man the position? As far as I can tell, that guy can hit! Thanks, Troy.
— Michael, Denver
Michael – It’s funny you ask. Yesterday during our pre-game chat with manager Clint Hurdle, I inquired, “Exactly who is your starting second baseman these days?” Clint responded, only half-joking, “Whoever is playing that day.”
Hurdle still believes that Luis Gonzalez will recapture his hitting form. Gonzalez was a .292 career hitter entering this season, but has dipped dramatically. Ever since he hurt his wrist during this year’s first series, it seems he’s been climbing uphill. As an everyday player, Gonzalez projected to hit 16 home runs with around 60 RBIs. Those numbers now seem out of reach as he’s sharing time with Jamey Carroll and Jason Smith. Carroll has been better than advertised offensively – he has a tick more speed than I thought – and is a walking clinic defensively.
Smith has intriguing power as a left-handed hitter. If Gonzalez doesn’t hit, you could make an argument that Carroll should play, shifting Gonzo back to his old super-utility role.
As for Jeff Baker, there’s no doubt that, with time, he could probably handle second base, especially with his new build – he’s around 203 pounds, compared to 227 a year ago. The problem with Baker has always been staying on the field. He needs to play a full season at third and the outfield before moving him to second. If the Rockies remain in contention, I fully anticipate that Baker will be used as trade bait to fill a need at the major league level.
Who are the Rockies looking at as possibilities for their top draft pick this year?
— Jim L., Highlands Ranch
Jim – It must be late May because fans are feeling a draft. Because the baseball draft is not televised, is not hype and does not feature Mel Kiper Jr.’s hair, it flies under the radar. The reason is simple: Most players drafted never reach the majors, and even those impact stars take a few years. That said, the Rockies’ draft is of more interest this year because they hold the second pick overall behind the Kansas City Royals.
That’s the good news. The bad news is that this is considered a weak draft. The Royals have sent out signals that they will take left-handed pitcher Andrew Miller from the University of North Carolina. After Miller, it’s hard to get anyone to agree on the next best player available. The list includes pitchers Tim Lincecum of Washington, Brandon Marrow of Cal and Houston’s Brad Lincoln.
A sleeper to keep an eye on is Long Beach State third baseman Evan Longoria, who is considered the top position player. The Rockies don’t need a third baseman, but they have a history of stockpiling at positions, namely shortstop and first base in recent years. Given the polish and character of Troy Tulowitzki, a Long Beach alum and last year’s top pick, it wouldn’t shock me if Colorado went with Longoria. The Rockies have deep ties to the Beach, starting with Bill Geivett, the assistant GM.
If only looking for headlines, the Rockies could eschew Evan Longoria for Eva Longoria (I kid because I care).
Hey, Troy. I am a transplanted 18-year-old Rockies fan stuck in suburban New York. I watch the Rockies on MLB.TV every day and sport a Todd Helton jersey (if clean) with a Rockies hat daily. And as any good transplanted fan, I attend the Rockies-Mets games at Shea Stadium, collecting Rockies autographs and jeers from home fans. But, I never see other Rockies fans, a sight I would certainly cherish. When you go on the road, do you ever see proud Rockies fans?
— Chris B., Greenwich, Conn.
Chris – Greenwich, Conn., and not a Yankees fan? That’s impressive independence. To your question, yes I see Rockies fans on the road. They are proud, but usually disappointed. Until this year, the Rockies were the worst team ever in visiting parks. That has changed this season, Colorado’s remarkable road start fueling their surprising season.
Usually the West Coast trip to San Diego and Arizona brings out the most transplanted Rockies fans. Arizona is a natural; the Rockies have acquired fans because they train each spring in Tucson. San Diego attracts Rockies fans because, hello, it’s San Diego. It’s a wonderful vacation spot to squeeze in a night game with a fish taco in one hand and a cerveza fria in the other.
With Danny Ardoin struggling to hit and throw, what are the chances of JD Closser getting the call soon? JD is playing extremely well for the Sky Sox.
— Bill, Muncie, Ind.
Bill – There’s no question that JD Closser is making every effort to re-invent himself. He struggled last year in nearly every facet of the game, remaining in the big leagues only because of injuries to others. Closser took stock after the season and showed up at spring committed and noticeably thinner. He dropped around 20 pounds, which left him more athletic. He didn’t seem to lose his power and he finally showed the running skills everyone had long talked about.
All that said, Closser will not be the first option. The Rockies are patiently waiting for Yorvit Torrealba to make his debut, likely sometime around the first of June. If for some reason Torrealba’s shoulder strength and throwing motion don’t return, Closser then becomes a realistic alternative because general manager Dan O’Dowd has told me the team won’t rush Chris Ianetta. It will be interesting to see who survives the roster purge when Torrealba returns. It’s my guess that whoever is hitting better between Danny Ardoin and Miguel Ojeda will stick.
Troy – Why do home-plate umpires place their hand or hands on the back of the catcher just before a pitch? And why do they appear to switch hands for different pitches? Thanks.
— Don Hartzell, Burke, Va.
Don – For this weekend’s behind the mask, we will discuss technique. In all seriousness, you raise an interesting question. As for umpires placing their hand on the back of the catcher, it’s been explained to me that it’s done to maintain a better view of the pitch. It naturally helps keep the catcher seated and improves the umpire’s sightlines. As for switching hands for different pitches, on that I can only offer an educated guess, that it’s preference. There’s no way the umpire would know the pitch – he can’t see the signals. However, there’s a possibility he could anticipate the pitch – a slider away on an 0-2 count for instance – and move himself into a better position to make the call.
Why doesn’t Clint Hurdle put Garrett Atkins in the 2-hole? Clint Barmes presses too often and swings at way too many balls. Atkins has more patience and will, of course, hit for a higher average, not to mention the amount of fastballs Atkins will stroke for doubles in front of Todd Helton, Matt Holliday and Brad Hawpe. (Right-left-right-left would be nice as well.)
— Rory, Denver
Rory – Where is your magic 8-ball, and can I lease it? As you wish, manager Clint Hurdle does. Hurdle rearranged the lineup on Tuesday, shifting Atkins to second, Matt Holliday to cleanup and Brad Hawpe to fifth. The switch has worked for everybody but Atkins. He remains mired in a slump. In at-bats that are out of character for Atkins, he’s pulling outside pitches, resulting in easy groundouts to the left side of the infield. Atkins, though not a fast runner, profiles well as a second hitter because of his patience and ability to hit behind runners.
I don’t sense this is a permanent move, with Hurdle inclined to play hot hands to win games.
Is it just me or has Todd Helton been swinging at the first pitch more this season then he ever has in the past?
— Seth, Limon
Seth – Todd’s patience isn’t the problem as much as his production. Clearly, when he came back from his scary stomach virus, he was pressing, trying to make up for lost time. That’s only natural. Now he’s found himself in a funk, hitting around .230 since his return. I haven’t seen those crazy swings that defined his two-month slump last season, where he routinely finished on one leg or with one hand off the bat. That’s a good sign.
The reality is the Rockies need Helton to be a star given how much of the payroll he absorbs. He’s making $16.6 million of the $41 million. So they need him to hit .330 with at least 25 home runs and 100 RBIs. I think it’s too early to say that Helton’s star has fallen. But there’s no way, in my opinion, that the Rockies can remain in the division hunt if Helton posts pedestrian numbers. The lineup around him isn’t deep enough to compensate.
Denver Post sports writer Troy E. Renck is in his 11th season of covering the Colorado Rockies, his fifth for The Denver Post. To drop a question into his Rockies Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
