The Rockies possessed a maddening offense last season, unable to score consistently because of problems with the order’s first two spots and dreadful at-bats with runners in scoring position. With Willy Taveras gone to the Reds, Ryan Spilborghs will get first crack in the leadoff spot. He’s a nontraditional leadoff hitter — Clint Hurdle compared him to the Angels’ Brian Downing. He has 20-home run power and a career .374 on-base percentage.
“My focus is on having quality at-bats,” said Spilborghs, a trait Hurdle adores. “I am looking forward to the challenge.”
Left out
Replacing Matt Holliday is a daunting task, regardless of how highly thought-of Seth Smith, Ian Stewart, Jeff Baker, Matt Murton and Carlos Gonzalez are.
Smith, 26, has hit at every level of the minor leagues. He lacks Holliday’s power — who doesn’t? — but can spray the ball and get on base. Stewart racked up 30 extra-base hits in 266 at-bats last season. But he’s going to be playing out of position — he’s a natural third baseman — while trying to maintain his swing and cut down on strikeouts.
Gonzalez, who has chosen to wear the three-time all-star’s No. 5, was the centerpiece of the Holliday trade and is an excellent athlete with pop in his bat. He likely needs to improve his plate discipline before jumping to the big leagues. Baker has a game-changing bat, but has never found a niche with Hurdle.
Without Holliday in the lineup, the onus is on the rest of the lineup, namely Garrett Atkins and Troy Tulowitzki, to rebound.
“You never want to lose a guy like Matt. But we don’t have an easy out in the lineup,” Atkins said. “If we stay within ourselves, hit line drives, work a walk and be a tough out, we will be fine. We lost track of that last season.”
Closing time
Brian Fuentes, the franchise’s all-time saves leader, is an Angel now. And the Rockies know their season will go to, um, heck if Huston Street or Manuel Corpas can’t lock down the ninth. Both lost their closer’s jobs last season, Street with Oakland. He has 94 career saves and unwavering confidence, believing he will return to form with his groin injury healed.
“It’s no secret that we both want the job,” Street said. “But at the end of spring, we have to support each other to be the best team.”
Corpas has dropped more than 20 pounds and got his delivery back in shape, so he no longer slings his slider and sinker.
“I know (Street) has a little more experience but I am not going to worry about that and let it frustrate me,” Corpas said. “I have a lot of confidence I can do the job.”
Optimism is contagious. But this season, more than any other, is about results, not effort.
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com; staff writer Patrick Saunders contributed to this report
