Second baseman Jayson Nix isn’t going away quietly.
Remember, he was the player out of the Rockies’ farm system who opened the season as the replacement for Kaz Matsui in the Rockies’ infield. He played that role for 17 games before a .111 batting average ended his part in the show.
Nix was designated for assignment by the Rockies, cleared waivers and quietly returned to the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, where he had played the previous two years. His time with the Rockies this year was his first in the big leagues.
Nix hasn’t been quiet with the Sky Sox. During a 10-game span heading into the weekend, Nix hit at a .361 clip, with 13 hits in 36 at-bats, including four doubles, three home runs and nine RBIs. The burst brought his season’s average to .294, with 16 doubles, 14 home runs and 39 RBIs. His 14 home runs are third on the team, behind Joe Koshansky’s 18 and Ian Stewart’s 16.
But is he out of sight, out of mind to the Rockies?
“I really don’t know the answer, if he’s back to the point where he would be considered in the mix with the Rockies,” Sky Sox manager Tom Runnells said. “A lot may depend on what he does here the rest of the season as to whether he can rekindle some strong interest. He’s a wonderful defensive player and the best second baseman in our league, without a doubt.”
Time is a factor for Nix. He’s playing in his eighth season in the organization and will turn 26 by the season’s end. The Rockies drafted him as the 44th overall pick in the 2001 June draft.
Runnells said Nix showed up from the disappointments with the Rockies with the right frame of mind.
“He’s been on a mission,” Runnells said. “He’s really worked hard and is swinging the bat really well after missing the first month and a half of our season while with the Rockies.”
When Nix couldn’t nail down the second-base spot, Rockies manager Clint Hurdle used a committee of players to fill the key infield position. So far, Clint Barmes, Stewart, Jeff Baker, Jonathan Herrera and Omar Quintanilla have failed to claim the job as their own. The Rockies even gave free agent Doug Bernier a shot on an emergency basis. Herrera and Bernier, who played in their first major-league games, and Stewart are now back in the Sky Sox lineup with Nix.
Around the system.
Pitcher Jhoulys Chacin didn’t miss a step in his first start after moving up from Asheville to the Modesto Nuts. He pitched eight shutout innings on his way to an 11th victory, best in the Rockies’ farm system. Modesto closer Andrew Johnston has allowed just three earned runs in 30 appearances, good for a 0.87 ERA.
Tulsa outfielder Matt Miller hit at a .325 clip during a 10-game spree and still leads the Rockies’ system at .352.
Asheville closer Randall Taylor allowed six earned runs over three outings, but picked up his 24th save of the season.
