WASHINGTON — Wrapped up like a mummy on ice, Chris Iannetta walks through the visiting team’s clubhouse at Nationals Park.
The night before, the Rockies’ baby-faced catcher helped steer a wild Jorge De La Rosa to his sixth victory of the season. More than two dozen times, Iannetta used his body to block pitches in the dirt. The morning after, Iannetta was paying the price.
“It’s just part of the job, normal stuff,” the 25-year-old said with a shrug.
Maybe so, but that is the point. Iannetta is proving he can handle, with aplomb, one of the toughest jobs in sports.
The 2007 opening-day starter as a rookie before getting sent back to Triple-A at midseason, Iannetta continues this year to excel is his game-calling. Long hours in front of the video screen studying batters — combined with increased familiarity with the Rockies’ pitchers — have Iannetta in a good place.
Tonight in Los Angeles against the Dodgers, he will start his 67th game, matching his total games played last season with the Rockies.
“He’s definitely matured, as far as knowing hitters and his pitchers,” said Rockies ace Aaron Cook, who points to two of his best games to illustrate Iannetta’s growth as a signal-caller.
Cook (15-8) tossed a five-hit shutout July 1 against San Diego at Coors Field.
“I only had to throw 79 pitches, and I hardly ever had to shake Chris off,” Cook said. “That shows you how good he was that day.”
They were even more in concert July 25, when Cook threw eight crisp innings — 93 pitches, one run, five hits, no walks, four strikeouts — in Cincinnati to win 7-2.
“I threw sinkers in, sliders away, backdoor sliders to left-handers,” Cook recalled. “It was amazing. When I wanted to throw a slider, Chris already had the signal down. We were on the same page from the beginning.”
For years, the Rockies have searched for a homegrown catcher who can handle pitchers, play defense and hit for power. In a season clouded by team disappointment and underachievement, Iannetta’s development has been a ray of sunshine.
Raised in Providence, R.I., Iannetta works behind the plate with stoicism befitting a New Englander. But those who know Iannetta say his calm demeanor masks quiet intensity.
“Plenty of times he’s come out to the mound and woke me up,” Ubaldo Jimenez said.
Yorvit Torrealba, the man Iannetta supplanted as the Rockies’ everyday catcher, said Iannetta has gained the confidence to match the situation.
“You can see the difference,” Torrealba said. “I think last year he was trying too hard and putting too much pressure on himself.”
Iannetta was given the starting job out of spring training last season. He struggled, hitting .218 with four homers and 27 RBIs. For a 16-game stretch in August, he was optioned to Colorado Springs to hone his swing and restore his confidence. He was recalled Aug. 26, but he didn’t play in the postseason.
This year the Rockies are 34-32 when he starts. He’s hitting .266 with 14 homers and 49 RBIs. His .373 on-base percentage and .519 slugging percentage confirm his arrival as an offensive force.
Defensively, Iannetta has thrown out just 20.6 percent of base-stealers (7-for-34). That’s below his expectations — and a shade under last season, when he threw out runners at a 23.7 percent clip (9-for-38).
Rockies manager Clint Hurdle remains pleased, but he is not about to curse Iannetta by tagging him as the next Johnny Bench.
“There are all kinds of uncharted waters in front of him,” Hurdle said. “What he’s facing now is a different grind than anything else he’s faced. The mental challenges are much more significant here than anything in the minor leagues. There is more at stake. But he’s moving forward. He’s handled himself well.
“Let’s let this play out and see where it goes,” Hurdle added, aware of the hype that surrounded Iannetta in the spring of 2007 followed by the struggles.
Iannetta said the challenges last year have made him a better player. This season, he has made a conscious effort not to press as much.
“A lot of young guys go through that,” Iannetta said. “It’s unfortunate that it took me the better part of a year to get through all that. . . . Last year, I tried so hard to get better that I kind of went in the other direction. This year I’ve kind of let it happen.”
Added Cook, “He has that inner desire; he burns to be the best. I think he’s kind of like me. He’s not going to say anything or show it on his face, but believe me, it’s there.”
Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com
