Sean Barker is one of the veterans of the Rockies organization, but he has yet to log a major-league game.
Beginning his second season with the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox, Barker, 26, is working his way through his sixth season in the Rockies’ farm system.
But that blank space for major-league experience on his résumé could be filled this season. It seems that this year, Barker isn’t being pushed aside by the next wave of prospects working their way up the road to Coors Field.
“There are a lot of good players in this organization and it’s just a matter of getting your chance,” Barker said. “We’ll see what happens, but I plan to keep playing until I can’t play anymore. We have three other outfielders with major-league time, so you definitely have to wait your turn.”
Barker is doing his part to be noticed. He entered the weekend as the top hitter in the Rockies’ organization among players at Colorado Springs, Tulsa, Modesto and Asheville. His .411 batting average includes 30 hits, nine doubles, two triples, four home runs and 15 RBIs. He also has had four stolen bases.
Although the Rockies’ hierarchy didn’t think his performance last season merited a call-up in September when roster limits were lifted, a case could be made that Barker was the Sky Sox’s best player at the end of the season.
He finished with a .297 batting average, 14 doubles, 13 home runs and 55 RBIs. His nine triples and 17 stolen bases led the team. Barker’s climb through the organization featured double figures in home runs at each level except short-season play, but there hasn’t been a breakout year to dazzle player development personnel. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound outfielder has good base-running sense with double figures in stolen bases in each of the past three seasons. He throws and bats right-handed and plays all three outfield positions.
Barker is in the midst of making his mark this season on a Sky Sox roster with plenty of challenges.
Ryan Spilborghs, Cory Sullivan and Alexis Gomez are outfielders with major-league experience, and Seth Smith is a touted prospect up from Double-A Tulsa. The season is punctuated by the long-awaited arrival in Triple-A of third baseman Ian Stewart, a first-round draft pick in 2003, the anticipated power of first baseman Joe Koshansky, and shortstop Clint Barmes’ attempt to work his way back into prominence with the Rockies.
“I feel like this team is a championship team,” Sky Sox manager Tom Runnells said. “I expect us to win. Every single guy has an opportunity to play at the big-league level. It’s too early to tell if any will be impact players, but all of them can play in the major leagues.”
That includes Barker.
“Tool-wise, I like everything he does,” Runnells said. “He has enough talent to play in the big leagues.”
Looking up
Runnells isn’t surprised by the success of reliever Zach McClellan in his first stint in the Rockies’ bullpen. McClellan pitched for the Sky Sox the past two seasons, but hadn’t made the trip up to Denver.
“I had him in Tulsa in Double-A,” Runnells said. “He’s one of those players you truly want to see make it. Nothing ever has been given to him. He has a good fastball and a major-league curveball. As soon as he’s confident at the major-league level, he’s going to do a good job there. When he’s locked in, he’s as good as anybody.”
Irv Moss can be reached at 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
