Call it a season of hard knocks for middle infielders in the Rockies’ organization.
Starting at the top, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is out of the Rockies’ lineup for up to eight weeks with a torn tendon in his left quadriceps. Looking at the Double-A Tulsa Drillers, second baseman Eric Young Jr. is on the sidelines for possibly a month after surgery to remove the hamate bone in his left hand. At Single-A Modesto, touted shortstop prospect Hector Gomez has been sidelined since the first game of the season with a shin injury. Gomez is recovering in extended spring training in Tucson.
“It’s difficult for any organization to have a five-tool player not playing,” Rockies director of player development Marc Gustafson said. “He (Gomez) is going to be out for a while.”
The loss of Tulowitzki, Young and Gomez has stretched the system at the middle infield spots. For the time being, Omar Quintanilla and Jonathan Herrera were recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs to help fill the void at Tulowitzki’s spot.
The return of Jayson Nix helps solve the manpower shortage in the infield for Sky Sox manager Tom Runnells. In his first game back since being designated for assignment by the Rockies and clearing waivers, Nix was 1-for-3 and scored two runs.
Helping hands
There aren’t many surprises among players who could provide immediate help should the Rockies call.
Third baseman Ian Stewart shared the home run lead in the system with six in his first 25 games. Stewart also leads in triples with three and is second in RBIs with 21.
Outfielder Cory Sullivan has raised his batting average above .300 (.309) and leads the Sky Sox in hits with 29. He mainly has been batting leadoff or in the second spot for the Sky Sox.
Outfielder Joe Gaetti, a 12th-round draft pick in the June 2003 draft, was released, reducing the Sky Sox’s crowded outfield roster. Gaetti signed with the Oakland Athletics.
The most immediate pitching help from the Sky Sox could be veteran Josh Towers, a winner of two of his first five starts. Towers has 22 strikeouts and only five walks.
Greg Reynolds, the team’s first-round draft pick two years ago, is building steam as he recovers from offseason shoulder surgery.
“Reynolds has had a little bit of a slow start,” Gustafson said. “But he has the highest upside among our starters in Triple-A. The key is being patient while he builds arm strength.”
Reynolds has pitched 29 1/3 innings in five starts, the second-highest inning total on the Sky Sox staff.
Even with Young out of the lineup in Tulsa, three of the organization’s top prospects are off to a good start. Corey Wimberly hit .348 with 10 stolen bases in his first 25 games. Young hit .321 with 10 stolen bases in 22 games, and center fielder Dexter Fowler hit .291 with seven steals in 27 games.
Maybe the top Drillers stats belong to outfielder Matt Miller. After falling back the last two seasons, Miller hit .341 in 27 games with five doubles and three home runs.
Right-hander Casey Weathers, last June’s top draft pick, is in a setup role in the Tulsa bullpen. He posted a 1.69 ERA in his first 10 2/3 innings.
The best start of the season belongs to third baseman Darin Holcomb in Single-A Asheville. He is first or second in four offensive categories after the first month.
Holcomb has caught Gustafson’s eye, ranking second in the organization at third base behind Stewart.
Organization leaders
(Through Thursday)Batting: Everth Cabrera, Asheville, .358; Darin Holcomb, Asheville, .350.
Runs: Ian Stewart, Colorado Springs, 23; Holcomb, Asheville, 22.
Hits: Cabrera, Asheville, 39; Holcomb, Asheville, 36.
Doubles: Holcomb, Asheville, 12; Joe Koshansky, Colorado Springs, 11.
Triples: Stewart, Colorado Springs, 3; Dexter Fowler, Tulsa, 3; Michael Mitchell, Asheville, 3.
Home runs: Stewart, Colorado Springs, 6; Holcomb, Asheville, 6.
RBIs: Edwin Bellorin, Colorado Springs, 23; Stewart, Colorado Springs, 21; Holcomb, Asheville, 21.
Stolen bases: Cabrera, Asheville, 15; Mitchell, Asheville, 11.
Pitching victories: Jhoulys Chacin, Asheville, 4; four tied with three each.
Losses: Ching Lung Lo, Tulsa, 5; Simon Ferrer, Modesto, 5.
Saves: Andrew Johnston, Modesto, 7; Randall Taylor, Asheville, 7.
Innings: Chacin, Asheville, 39; Cory Riordan, Asheville, 38.
Walks: Victor Zambrano, Colorado Springs, 22; Ferrer, Modesto, 21.
Strikeouts: Chacin, Asheville, 37; Riordan, Asheville, 36.
ERA: (starters) Chacin, Asheville, 1.85; Riordan, Asheville, 2.13; (relievers) Craig Baker, Asheville, 0.00; William Harris, Modesto, 0.54.
