TUCSON — Outfield prospect Dexter Fowler has settled the stopwatch issue in the Rockies organization.
The fleet 22-year-old is already being called the center fielder of the future for the Rockies, but he’s also proclaiming another title in competition with infielders Eric Young Jr. and Corey Wimberly.
“I’m the fastest,” Fowler said as he surveyed one of the minor-league practice fields at the team’s Hi Corbett Field complex. “E.Y. is both quick and fast. Corey is the quickest. They’ll all agree with that. Personally, I’d rather be like E.Y., quick and fast.”
The trio of speed merchants, who combined to steal 180 bases last year, will be together this summer with the Double-A Tulsa Drillers.
Fowler did more this spring than just earn the Rockies’ title of fastest man. He emerged from camp as one of the organization’s most pleasant surprises. He appears on the fast track to roaming center field at Coors Field.
Marc Gustafson, the Rockies’ director of player development, pointed to the switch-hitting Fowler and catcher Michael McKenry as the two young players who made the biggest impact while in the major-league camp.
“They both did very well,” Gustafson said. “We think the sky’s the limit for Dexter.”
Rockies manager Clint Hurdle liked the composure Fowler showed in the big-league camp.
“He didn’t seem to be intimidated by anything,” Hurdle said. “He has the skills to play center field. He has a feel in the outfield that you don’t always see. He goes and gets the ball and his arm strength is good enough. He can flat-out run. The strides he takes are beautiful to see. The switch hitting has come so far in three years since I first saw him in the instructional league. It was a good spring for him in terms of confidence and fitting in.”
Coach Glenallen Hill, who coordinates the Rockies’ outfield instruction, said Fowler needs only to harness his potential.
“He has to mature and gain more knowledge of the game,” Hill said. “He has an incredible amount of athletic ability. He’ll hit with more power as he develops, but it won’t be necessary for him to hit with power to make it to the big leagues. He’s a good hitter and a tough out. That’s a good combination.”
At 6-feet-4 and 175 pounds, Fowler has room to grow.
“I hit a lot of line drives, but I’ll show that I can hit the long ball,” he said. “I can lead off or bat second. I can bunt for a base hit, too. That’s part of my game. My hands are better from the right side, but I have more power from the left side.”
Irv Moss: 303 954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
