In his personal appraisal, Rockies pitching prospect Greg Reynolds doesn’t claim the title of savior.
Even though his professional baseball experience includes just 26 games and he’s scheduled to make his first major-league start today against the San Diego Padres, Reynolds is savvy enough to know self-appointed saviors can be unsuccessful.
But Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd needed to fix a stumbling starting rotation and looked to Reynolds.
“I’m not sure they’re looking at me to be a catalyst,” Reynolds said, “but I’d love to be that guy and come in and spark things up a little bit.”
But there’s a catch to Reynolds’ promotion from the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox. He’s been building arm strength in the early season after shoulder soreness cut his 2007 season to just eight starts at Double-A Tulsa. He had arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder before the summer was over to “clean things up a little bit.” His comeback has included spring training in the major-league camp and seven starts for Colorado Springs, resulting in a 1-2 record.
As the Rockies attempt to get back on track to defend their National League title, the move begs the question: Is Reynolds being rushed?
“It’s their decision, and I feel like I’m ready to show them what I have,” Reynolds said. “I don’t know if they’re getting desperate, but nobody is going to put more pressure on me than myself. I know that 26 professional games aren’t that many, but that says a lot about what they think of me. They’ve always thought of me as a pretty polished pitcher.”
The Rockies thought enough of Reynolds, a 6-foot-7 right-hander, to make him the second overall pick of the 2006 June draft. His combined minor-league record going into this year was 19 starts, six victories and two losses and a 2.36 ERA.
Reynolds said he believes his brief time with the Sky Sox will benefit his proficiency at Coors Field. He throws four pitches — four-seam and two-seam fastballs, a curveball and a changeup.
“I learned quickly that you have to keep the ball down,” Reynolds said. “Location is the key. My height is an advantage in throwing downhill.”
Sky Sox manager Tom Runnells has some reservations about the timing of Reynolds’ big-league debut.
“In my opinion only, I feel as if he could use some more time here,” Runnells said. “Circumstances may dictate otherwise. When there’s an opportunity, you have to be ready. I don’t have a crystal ball. He’s capable of doing a good job up there.”
Sky Sox pitching coach Chuck Kniffin said Reynolds’ arm strength has improved and he hit 95 mph on the speed gun last week.
“He’s still learning,” Kniffin said. “I think the best scenario for him personally would be a few more starts here.”
It was a hectic time for Reynolds on his way up to the Rockies. In his last start for the Sky Sox, he was lifted after two innings.
“I had no idea that was the plan,” Reynolds said. “T.R. (Runnells) said there was going to be a move at the top and I had to be ready to pitch Sunday. He said, ‘You’re done for today.’ That was the first time I heard anything of it.”
Reynolds prides himself on his work ethic. His gameplan is to throw strikes. He’s not going to give a game away by nibbling and walking hitters. If the opposition can hit his pitches, so be it.
“I’ve been on the fast track to the major leagues ever since I joined the organization,” Reynolds said.
Fast track? The waiting period in the last few days, after leaving a game in the second inning, was like riding a runaway freight train.
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
Greg Reynolds
Position: Right-handed pitcher
Height/weight: 6-feet-7, 225 pounds
Age/professional experience: 22 years old, third season
Acquired: First round (second overall) in 2006 June draft out of Stanford
Residence: Pacifica, Calif.
