Denver Post sports writer Troy E. Renck posts his Rockies Mailbag every other week on Mondays during the 2008 MLB season on DenverPost.com. The next installment is slated for May 12.
To drop a Rockies- or MLB-related question into the Rockies Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
I love to watch Troy Tulowitzki play the field. He is a witch with the leather. What are the chances they send him down, either to Triple-A or to eighth in the lineup, or just sit him down for a while? I think the guy is a superstar in the making, but !
— Gary, Guam
Gary – Nothing symbolizes how a slump can take on added concern when Tulowitzki’s batting average has reached Guam.
Tulowitzki is struggling, and he didn’t help himself with a double-play ball with the bases loaded in the eighth inning of Sunday’s loss at Los Angeles. Tulowitzki has shown signs of emerging from his rut before slipping back in. If this weren’t April, his batting average wouldn’t be such an eyesore. The reality is that he needs to make some adjustments. Tulowitzki is no longer a secret to anyone. Teams are attacking him aggressively, making him expand his zone. When he settles back in and starts hitting strikes, he will be fine.
There’s too much talent for him not to hit. I don’t see Colorado Springs as an option as long as he continues to flash Rawlings Gold Glove-caliber leather.
Troy – Clint Hurdle says that he “owes” Jayson Nix the opportunity to get back in the lineup, but no mention of Jeff Baker. It is obvious Hurdle has his favorites, but Baker should also be given his opportunity.
— A. Ethel, Lancaster, Pa.
A. Ethel – Hurdle’s patience with Jayson Nix expired last weekend. Nix was the victim of the team’s poor start and his own offensive issues. Had the Rockies begun the season raking, and sat five games over .500, Nix is probably still on the team. As it is, he couldn’t capitalize on a quick cameo. It’s possible he will wind up back in Triple-A Colorado Springs if he clears waivers.
As for Baker, he always seems like the guy who slips between the cracks. He backs up corner-infield and outfield positions that almost never require reserve assistance. And Clint Barmes has taken over at second base. Keep an eye on Baker over the next few weeks. Barmes has cooled, so Hurdle could look to find matchups for Baker. The key is for Baker to remain functional defensively. He could be a nice asset to maximize that position.
What’s the deal with the Rockies and the first inning? It seems like the Rockies always give up at least one run in the first inning. Has there been a game where the other team put up a zero in the first?
— Joey Sagel, Dixon, Ill.
Joey – There have been a handful, but you have successfully identified a trend. The Rockies have been outscored 23-14 in the first inning this season. That number is a bit deceiving given the 10-spot that the Dodgers put on Mark Redman on Saturday. But the reality is that Colorado is at its best when it starts fast. That was the key when the offense took off last May. The dynamic that created that, however, no longer exists.
Willy Taveras is still around, but Kazuo Matsui defected to Houston. Talked to somebody in the organization that I trust about the lineup change of moving Todd Helton at second. He agreed that Helton is not a typical No. 2 hitter, because he’s not a situational hitter and doesn’t run well. But he will get on base and that alone should give Matt Holliday and Garrett Atkins more RBI opportunities.
Troy – Any chance of the Rockies trading one of their young middle infielders to get a solid center fielder?
— Ken, Rochester, N.Y.
Ken – As it stands, starting pitching is becoming an area of need. There isn’t the help on the farm that existed last season with Ubaldo Jimenez and Franklin Morales. Greg Reynolds is an intriguing possibility and probably could survive given his smarts and sinkerball. That doesn’t mean he will be up anytime soon. .
In regards to center field, the Rockies consider that a position of depth, with Willy Taveras, Scott Podsednik and Ryan Spilborghs. Dexter Fowler is considered the center fielder of the future, and he is lurking in Double-A. So while you could see the Rockies going after another starting pitcher – it wouldn’t shock me to see them take a flier on released right-hander Matt Morris – center field is not a priority.
Is anyone keeping track of Matt Holliday’s home runs after he gets hit by a pitch? Last year I saw him hit at least two, if not three, home runs his next at-bat after being beaned by a pitcher. On April 13, he did it again against the D-backs! Is it just me or does he get revenge every time he gets hit?
— Darren Kreski, Highlands Ranch
Darren – It’s an interesting observation. I would love to say I track the stat, but alas, I don’t. Some of Holliday’s biggest and meaningful home runs have come after a pitcher has plunked Holliday. Two of the best examples came against San Francisco’s Matt Cain two years ago – who can forget Holliday yelling at the right-hander as he ran around the bases – and in Philadelphia last September. In that Phillies’ series, it was like Holliday turned Hulk. They shouldn’t have made him angry. They didn’t like him angry.
Do you think the Rockies can make a run for Brian Roberts, and how much of the farm would we have to give up? Would it be similar to how much Seattle gave up for Erik Bedard?
— Baker, Fort Collins
Baker – Brian Roberts could help the offense given his speed and ability to put the ball in play consistently. It’s still my belief that the Cubs are eventually going to get their hands on Roberts. Lou Piniella would love to have another left-handed bat.
To your question, it wouldn’t take as much as Seattle gave up for Erik Bedard. Bedard is a potential Cy Young winner. Roberts is a nice second baseman with modest power. Baltimore is holding a high ransom, because the owner values the player more than the receiving team.
Ryan Spilborghs dropped a ball in the seventh inning against the Astros on April 19. He pretended he caught it, while it was clear on the replay that it wasn’t even close and he was relying on his position against the umpire. My son saw this behavior and couldn’t believe Spilborghs would be allowed to cheat. And I couldn’t believe that this was the lesson being taught to my son by the team he loves. Will Spilborghs be fined for this by the team? The commissioner? It seems a shame
that this behavior is not discouraged.
— Adam Carr, Fort Collins
Adam – I realize that your son might not understand this behavior. But it’s the duty of the outfielder to “sell the catch.” It’s up to the umpire to determine whether he had the ball. It might seem like deception, but it is part of the game. You show the ball, and hope for the call. He won’t be fined or suspended. In fact, if he hadn’t tried to trick the umpire, he would have received more grief for not trying to sell the catch.
Hi, Troy. I’ve been a Rockies fan since their inaugural season, and I absolutely loved the Rockies’ run to the World Series. Living in Phoenix, it’s hard to get a lot of information about the Rockies, so I really enjoy your mailbag and The
Post’s coverage. I adore “Dinger,” but I have no idea how a purple dinosaur became the mascot of the Colorado Rockies. Can you explain? Thanks so much!
— Deb Allen, Phoenix
Deb – I have to admit that since Dinger hatched, I have tried to pay as little attention to him as possible. Little kids like him. He’s friendly. Makes them smile. But since he was born on April 16, 1994, it’s been impossible for me to view him as anything but Barney the Dinosaur’s lost lovechild. Again, those of us with kids who have ever watched a Barney video cringe when we see Dinger. I would prefer a mascot that had a broader appeal.
Denver Post sports writer Troy E. Renck is in his 13th season of covering the Colorado Rockies, his seventh for The Denver Post. To drop a question into his Rockies Mailbag or visit DenverPost.com’s .
