Tucson – Beep! Beep!
Willy Taveras plans to be the Rockies’ roadrunner this season. A cloud of dust and opposing pitchers are suddenly feeling like Wile E. Coyote.
“With my speed, it can be trouble,” Taveras said.
The former Astros center fielder stole 33 bases a year ago and 34 as a rookie two years ago. Considering that no Rockie stole more than 14 bases in any of the past four seasons, Taveras brings a new dimension to the team.
But before the Rockies’ new center fielder and projected leadoff hitter can spark the offense, he must reach base with far greater consistency.
“Willy knows he’s got a green light,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “We’ve talked about situations where he can get more opportunities to run. That makes us more dynamic. But he needs to get on base more to run more.”
Even though he had a club-record 30-game hitting streak with Houston last year, the streaky Taveras hit just .278 and his on-base percentage was a mediocre .333. When put in the leadoff spot, his OBP was just .326, 15th in the National League for leadoff hitters. By comparison, Colorado second baseman Jamey Carroll, though lacking Taveras’ blazing speed and base-stealing skills, led all National League leadoff men with a .372 on-base percentage a season ago.
The rap on Taveras is that he too often chases bad pitches, especially when he’s behind in the count. Last season he had just 34 walks in 529 at-bats. By comparison, Mets leadoff hitter Jose Reyes, known for his free swinging ways, drew 53 walks in 647 at-bats.
“Willy recognizes the fact that we need him on base and that means putting the ball in play more consistently,” Rockies hitting coach Alan Cockrell said. “That means that getting the ball on the ground, or on a line, and him being more selective, will be a big focus this spring.”
To that end, Taveras has been working overtime in the batting cage.
“He’s a great worker,” Cockrell said. “He’s in there every day, working specifically on his hands, working the barrel of the bat. I think he’s on his way.”
Taveras’ speed, of course, is his greatest asset. Acquired during the offseason as part of the trade that sent pitcher Jason Jennings to Houston, Taveras gives the Rockies their most fleet-footed player since Juan Pierre roamed Coors Field from 2000-02. Though he has never been timed in the 40-yard dash, Taveras said he has been clocked in the 60-yard dash at 6.5 seconds. From the right side of the plate, he gets from home to first in 3.5 seconds.
Taveras needs to up his on-base production to be an effective offensive player because of his lack of power. He had just one homer and 19 doubles last season.
“He can be our spark plug, without question,” Cockrell said. “If he can make his focus to just get to first base and create havoc, that makes us a pretty good offense.”
With Garrett Atkins, Matt Holliday and Todd Helton coming up behind him, Taveras doesn’t figure to be stranded too often. “If I can get on, then the pitchers have to face Garrett and Todd and Matt,” Taveras said. “When you have to face those guys, something big can happen.”
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