Dexter Fowler doesn’t do prima donna.
After learning of his call-up, the Rockies’ prized Double-A outfielder packed his car and drove from Tulsa, Okla., to Denver with a layover in Salina, Kan. What were a few more miles of life experience for a kid who spent the better part of last month in Beijing? One day he’s eating breakfast with Michael Phelps in the Olympic Village, the next he’s shagging flyballs with Matt Holliday.
“I am excited about this opportunity,” said Fowler, who batted .335 with nine home runs and 64 RBIs in the minor leagues. “We will see what happens.”
Fowler, 22, will initially be used off the bench given the Rockies’ glut of center fielders (Willy Taveras, Ryan Spilborghs, Scott Podsednik and Seth Smith). If the Rockies fall out of the race, Fowler will likely get a chunk of starts.
“This will give him exposure to the major-league level,” general manager Dan O’Dowd said. “He’s an integral part of our future.”
Fowler spent Tuesday soaking in the atmosphere, greeting teammates with his trademark smile. Life has been a whirlwind for three weeks from hanging with celebs — his iPhone includes pictures with Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and former President George Bush — to winning an Olympic bronze medal.
Holliday took a liking to Fowler during spring training and is eager to see him play in the majors.
“My first impression is that he needs to eat,” joked Holliday of the 6-foot-5, 175-pounder. “If there’s anything I can do to help him, I will.”
Pitching promotions, questions.
The pitchers not promoted (Franklin Morales and Juan Morillo) were just as compelling as those who were (Greg Reynolds and Jason Hirsh). Morales, who went 10-4 at Triple-A, will go to the instructional league to work on his delivery before pitching in winter ball for Caracas, Venezuela. Morillo, a reliever, is also earmarked for winter ball as he will enter spring training out of options.
Reynolds and Hirsh will serve as longmen in the bullpen with the possibility of receiving a spot start. O’Dowd took blame for Reynolds’ difficult season, which included a 2-6 record at the big-league level.
“If I hadn’t rushed him because of the failures of the guys we signed, I think he would have been fine,” O’Dowd said.
Others promoted were first baseman Joe Koshansky and catcher Edwin Bellorin.
Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
