On Monday and Tuesday, the Rockies owners and assorted decision-makers will gather for their organizational meetings at Coors Field. The 2007 payroll will be established, with no windfall expected despite a slight bump in attendance.
Management will talk about sticking with the process, baseball speak for building from within. Lost in what will soon be the sixth consecutive losing season is that the youth movement has reached a critical juncture. Namely, that, for the most part, it’s over.
Todd and The Toddlers began in earnest in 2005, with the team integrating rookies and inexperienced players at nearly every position, in practically all spots in the rotation.
They aren’t kids anymore; in fact, most were never kids to begin with. Even as the Rockies went young, they had an age issue. Save for shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and catcher Chris Iannetta, all the position players will enter next season at least 27 years old in a league where 28 is considered a position player’s prime. Jeff Francis will be the youngest starter at 26.
In other words, it’s time to see what we have learned and draw conclusions.
“You have an idea of who fits where now,” manager Clint Hurdle said, “of who is part of the core as we move forward.”
Success stories
For a franchise that hadn’t developed an impact bat since Todd Helton, Garrett Atkins and Matt Holliday represent the most important success stories. Following the 2004 season, the Rockies were prepared to trade Atkins and probably would have if Vinny Castilla hadn’t received a stunning free-agent contract from the Nationals. All Atkins has done is develop into one of the game’s best young hitters.
Atkins’ numbers stack up favorably with every third baseman in the league. Atkins has been so good the Rockies eventually will move prized prospect Ian Stewart to the outfield. What separates Atkins is that he can work a count, hit the ball to all fields and has grown into power, with a 30-home run season no longer out of the question. He also knows his glove, while serviceable, needs improvement.
“I need to become more consistently defensively,” Atkins admitted.
Holliday can be an adventure in left field, drawing comparisons to Dante Bichette. Luckily for the Rockies, Holliday’s resemblance to Bichette has extended to the batter’s box. He’s chasing a batting title, leads the team in home runs and should finish with a 30-home run, 100-RBI season.
“I have struck out too much. I need cut down on those,” said Holliday.
Satisfactory grade
As former first basemen go, Brad Hawpe has developed into a heck of a right fielder, his arm among the game’s better weapons. Yes, he needs to get better jumps on the ball. But given the lineup’s problems this season, offense is central to his evaluation – and there are some questions. On the surface, Hawpe has posted decent numbers – .287 average, 19 home runs, 69 RBIs. Dig deeper and troubling statistics emerge, namely his work against left-handers (12-for-63, 24 strikeouts) and his average with runners in scoring position (.229).
Hawpe has value because a left-hander accounts for two-thirds of a player in a platoon given the number of right-handed pitchers. If the Rockies can protect him against left-handers by using Jeff Baker, the position could become a strength. A similar arrangement is expected with catchers Yorvit Torrealba and Iannetta to maximize their production.
“I need to drive in more runs,” Hawpe said. “I have always been that guy before and it didn’t happen this year.”
If Hawpe and Baker can’t combine for 100 RBIs and 100 runs scored, it amplifies the pressure on Tulowitzki to become an impact bat next year.
Cloudy futures
It seems like yesterday that shortstop Clint Barmes was popping up on TV as the world’s best rookie. He broke his collarbone and he’s never returned to form offensively. Tulowitzki replaced him a few weeks ago, leaving Barmes to battle for a starting spot or utility role in spring training. Barmes proved an effective shortstop, but he became a liability offensively. Worse, because he played so much the past two years, it’s hard to see the Rockies paying the price he will demand in arbitration after next season.
“I have never had a better defensive season. Offensively, I have to get my timing back,” Barmes said. “I know I can play at this level. I wouldn’t bet against me.”
Center fielder Cory Sullivan is a terrific defender. He’s smart with a good arm. Problem is, he doesn’t hit for enough average to ignore his lack of power, leaving him more qualified as a reserve. This is the position the Rockies are expected to address through free agency or trade, unless they conclude Jeff Salazar represents an upgrade.
Mound of progress
Few players have improved as much from one season to next as Francis. Not only was he open to suggestions, he implemented them. He threw from a downward plane more, implemented a sinker, and until waning in September, ranked as one of the NL’s top starters. The trio of Jason Jennings, Aaron Cook and Francis gives the Rockies hope.
Still, it remains to be seen if the lineup can provide leads or if a revamped bullpen – with second-year relievers Manny Corpas and Ramon Ramirez figuring heavily into the plans – can protect them. With no big splashes expected in free agency, the onus is on the current players to execute a U-turn. The kids are grown up, no more youth movement for anyone in the organization to hide behind.
“I know it’s frustrating to fans, and it’s frustrating to us that we aren’t winning. But I believe we have fewer holes to fill,” Hurdle said. “The reality is, even though we have gotten better, we have a ways to go.”
Staff writer Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
