TUCSON
— The Rockies had 13 hits, 10 runs and no errors Wednesday.
They graciously would accept those numbers in every game this year. Wouldn’t your company slow-pitch softball team? Wouldn’t the 1927 Yankees accept that?
Based on last year’s results, double-digit hits and runs, and a perfect defensive day (and mediocre pitching), would lead to a 156-6 record.
Would the Rockies accept the same offensive production as in 2007 from the eight positions (excepting the pitcher’s spot) in the batting lineup?
“Good question,” manager Clint Hurdle said for the first time since I met him in spring training in 1997.
Here’s another good question: If the Red Sox receive $40,000 each for a spring trip to Japan, why didn’t the Rockies get $500 apiece for being forced to travel to Surprise, Ariz. (which seemed farther away than Tokyo)?
Hurdle will answer the first good question. “If we do that, we’ll be in a good place. And I would take it.”
The manager rattled off each position, too quickly for me to take notes. But, to paraphrase Hurdle and to add my own comments:
Given Todd Helton’s history, the veteran first baseman will hit over .300 again. Helton has to produce more than 17 home runs. He has lost weight— “fat,”he told me — because bulking up last year didn’t help his home run total. He has been moved into the third spot ahead of Matt Holliday, which should give Helton (who has intentionally walked in recent years second only to Barry Bonds) better pitches to examine.
“With a mix and match at second base,” Hurdle said, he hopes to duplicate Kaz Matsui’s hits and average, “although we won’t get his stolen bases and speed.” Jayson Nix and Jeff Baker should provide a bunch more home runs — Nix has three in the spring — but a lower batting average.
Troy Tulowitzki hit .291 with 24 homers as a rookie. “He broke the mold,” said Hurdle, who is certain the shortstop will improve offensively. He had only four home runs through June 20. If he can avoid the legendary sophomore slump, he can recreate his second half, and he will smash the mold — and because he is hitting in the two-hole, opposing teams cannot tiptoe through Tulowitzki.
Hurdle would be satisfied with third baseman Garrett Atkins replicating his ’07 totals (.301, 25 homers and 111 RBIs). Atkins began so slowly in ’07. Needs to pick it up sooner. Hitting .212 this spring.
A Matt Holliday carbon copy would delight the manager — and interest more MVP voters. Can Holliday do .340, 36 and 137? Hard to believe, but anything close would be Mantle-like.
“I think we’ve scratched the surface with Willy (Taveras) and get more out of him,” Hurdle said. The center fielder did hit .320, but played in only 97 games. He must strike out fewer than 55 times and occasionally get a hit that goes more than 20 feet.
Hurdle was satisfied with the numbers out of Brad Hawpe, who hit .291 with 29 homers, but was too streaky and struggled against left-handers. Ryan Spilborghs, at .299 in 97 games, will work into more games and needs to make advances.
Catcher Yorvit Torrealba came up with several crucial hits from where he was hitting down in the lineup, Hurdle said, and has come out hot during the spring, driving the ball to right field. Torrealba is at .462 for the spring. He’s no Ted Williams, but he has to hit higher than .255, and backup Chris Iannetta has to hit above the Mendoza Line.
The good question really is: Did several players have career years, and will they settle down this season, or, because these are young players, are they on the incline, and is it possible that Tulowitzki, Holliday, Atkins and Hawpe will have even more impressive statistics this year? Is Nix a big-league bat, and will Baker hit better with more at-bats?
As a team, the Rockies hit .280 with 171 homers and 823 runs batted in last year. With a humidor.
Considering that the starting pitching will be iffy again, the Rox need to hit .290 — their best is .294 in 2000 — with six players hitting 25 homers.
And considering that Wednesday’s game with the White Sox was called off after nine innings tied at 10, maybe the Rockies will have to score 10-plus runs more often than the 20 times they did last season.
A 10-spot is acceptable.
Woody Paige: 303-954-1095 or wpaige@denverpost.com
