TUCSON — Harnessing Franklin Morales’ immense talent remains a work in progress.
The Rockies would love the 22-year-old left-hander to be in their starting rotation when camp breaks, but streaks of wildness and fits of inconsistency continue to stand in his way.
“What I want to see is Franklin take that next step and move from being a prospect to being a major-league pitcher,” pitching coach Bob Apodaca said Sunday when asked to evaluate Morales after eight days of spring training. “He’s got incredible skills, but he’s got to learn to focus and complete each pitch. Right now, Franklin talks like he understands what we want, but we still have to see that in action, with consistency.”
In eight starts last season, Morales went 3-2 with a 3.43 ERA. When he was on, batters left the box shaking their heads. He’ll be even more confounding as he further develops the two-seam and four-seam changeups he has been working on. Still, even given Morales’ tremendous upside, the Rockies won’t rush him into the rotation until he’s ready.
“The ability for him to repeat his delivery is probably focus point No. 1,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “We would like to see him improve his mound presence as well. We want him trusting the catcher, trusting himself, getting the signal and going.”
Who’s on first?
Edwin Bellorin, already competing with Chris Iannetta to be the No. 2 catcher, also is expected to get some playing time at first base this spring. Hurdle said the move would allow the Rockies “to be more flexible.”
Bellorin, who played some first base while growing up in Venezuela, figures it helps his chances to make the 25-man roster.
“It’s got to be good for me,” he said. “I think it shows the organization wants to see what I can do. I love playing catcher, but a little first base would be fine.”
Reynolds impresses.
Former No. 1 pick Greg Reynolds turned some heads during live batting practice Sunday. He demonstrated a strong fastball against hitters Todd Helton, Brad Hawpe and catcher Mike Rose, among others.
Reynolds was on the fast track to the major leagues last summer before his shoulder began to ache. Shoulder surgery seems to have fixed the problem, so the 6-foot-7 right-hander from Stanford finds himself competing this spring without limitations.
“That was the first time I had someone in the box against me in eight months,” Reynolds said. “It was a good feeling. I thought I threw some good fastballs, but my curveball definitely needs work.”
With a solid spring, Reynolds should start the season in the Triple-A rotation.
Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
