The Kid Rocks fell down and went boom. The training wheels are back on. But are they headed in the right direction?
What’s wrong with the Rockies might be rotten to the core beliefs of team leadership.
It appears Colorado has over- rated the ability of its young players. And, if that’s true, the promise of Generation R is hollow.
From the .168 batting average of Troy Tulowitzki to the 5.63 earned run average of Manuel Corpas, we are all frustrated by the lack of straight-line growth from the Kid Rocks.
Big things were expected from too many young players on the defending National League champs.
“And it didn’t work out,” Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said Wednesday. “So were we overrated? Yes. At the end of the day, they didn’t perform as well as expected.”
Hurdle vows to keep the faith in these Kid Rocks. It’s his job. But he understands why you and I might have our doubts.
“Especially that guy or woman who has bought into season tickets and they’ve got money laid out and money’s tight right now. It’s a tough time. And they want immediate gratification,” Hurdle said. “We live in a society that wants tangible evidence now, and they want it day after day after day. I identify with that.”
Generation R is beginning to make us wonder if it’s truly safe to trust anyone under 25 in a Rockies uniform.
If Dan O’Dowd richly deserves a ring for winning the pennant in 2007, then he also must wear the blame for young talent that has flamed out.
In his ninth season as general manager, O’Dowd has yet to see a single prospect drafted or signed during his tenure develop from Rockies farmhand into NL all- star.
Less than a year after being touted as the biggest thing at shortstop since Derek Jeter, the only goal for 23-year-old Tulowitzki right now is to hit his weight (205).
Jayson Nix, 25, opened the season at second base, ranged behind the bag to field a grounder and promptly fell off the face of the earth.
Rookie Greg Reynolds is getting knocked around learning to throw strikes at the major-league level, tough duty you figure a defending league champ should not ask a valued prospect to do.
At 25, Corpas has lost his slider and 22-year-old pitcher Franklin Morales was shipped out on a treasure hunt for his command.
There’s no denying 24-year-old Ubaldo Jimenez, who threw 6 1/3 strong innings in an 8-1 win over San Diego, and Tulowitzki, who homered against the Padres, still shine with tantalizing star potential.
But the only Rockies with a prayer of being named to the All-Star Game later this month are pitcher Aaron Cook and slugger Matt Holliday, both brought to the organization by former general manager Bob Gebhard.
For ownership that professes not to have the money to buy or retain expensive talent, the farm system simply is not producing enough bounty to feed this city’s need for a consistent winner at Coors Field.
“We have not gotten the production out of this ballclub that we wanted. That’s on my shoulders. I accept the responsibility,” Hurdle said.
After going to the World Series and getting the T-shirt, the Kid Rocks have had trouble handling success. Corpas and Tulowitzki both stumbled after signing new contracts.
“In Troy’s case, no excuses, a lot was handed to him this winter,” Hurdle said. “His plate was pretty full when he got to spring training. How he’s handled it, I think we’ve seen. I think some things better than others.”
For the Rockies to even consider trading a talent as reliable as Holliday as part of turning over the roster, they must be certain Tulo- witzki, Jimenez, Corpas and Morales are the real deal.
The trouble with betting everything on the future?
From the bleachers to the GM’s chair, the seats can get real hot and uncomfortable waiting for the payoff.
Mark Kiszla: 303-954-1053 or mkiszla@denverpost.com
