Minor-league spotlight
Jason Van Kooten, 2B, Modesto
Jason Van Kooten could tell you from experience that there’s nothing like 17 hits in 10 games to raise a batting average.
Van Kooten, a second baseman for the Modesto Nuts of the Single-A California League, packed a lot into a 10-game stretch in the past week and a half that raised his season’s batting average to .287. His 17 hits included seven doubles, a triple and a home run while scoring 10 runs and driving in six. He hit at a .436 clip in the 10 games.
“There was a little bit of luck involved,” said Van Kooten, who signed with the Rockies in the 2003 June draft out of Regis High School, where he played for coach Tom Severtson.
“There are times when you hit the ball hard and they fall in and there are other times when you hit the ball hard right at somebody. I just keep the same approach at all times and when you get started, the game takes over.”
Modesto manager Jerry Weinstein said his infielder was more than hot during the 10 games.
“He was scorching the ball and swinging the bat exceptionally well,” Weinstein said. “He had some similar stretches earlier in the season.”
Weinstein said Van Kooten has been plagued with injuries in previous seasons, but is going strong in his sixth season in the Rockies’ organization.
“Not all the fruit gets ripe at the same time,” Weinstein said, noting Van Kooten’s progress in player development.
Organizational leaders (Through Thursday)
HITTING: (70 games) Jordan Pacheco, Asheville, .341; Matt Miller, Colorado Springs, .324.
RUNS: Eric Young Jr., Colorado Springs, 76; Mike McCoy, Colorado Springs, 68.
HITS: Miller, Colorado Springs, 105; Charles Blackmon, Modesto, 101.
DOUBLES: Miller, Colorado Springs, 26; Jason Van Kooten, Modesto, 25; Radames Nazario, Modesto, 25.
TRIPLES: Maikol Gonzalez, Modesto, 7; Young, Colorado Springs, 6; Jeffrey Cunningham, Modesto, 6; David Christensen, Asheville, 6.
HOME RUNS: Christensen, Asheville, 13; Ryan Harvey, Tulsa, 11.
RBI: Miller, Colorado Springs, 64; Pacheco, Asheville, 52.
STOLEN BASES: Young, Colorado Springs, 48; McCoy, Colorado Springs, 28.
PITCHING VICTORIES: Esmil Rogers, Tulsa/Colorado Springs, 9; Joey Williamson, Modesto/Tulsa, 9.
LOSSES: Keith Weiser, Tulsa, 8; Kenneth Durst, Modesto, 8.
SAVES: Andrew Johnson, Tulsa, 22; Craig Baker, Modesto, 21.
INNINGS: Rogers, Tulsa/Colorado Springs, 100 1/3; Cory Riordon, Modesto, 95 2/3.
WALKS: Connor Graham, Modesto, 37; Dan Houston, Asheville, 35.
STRIKEOUTS: Rogers, Tulsa/Colorado Springs, 88; Christian Friedrich, Asheville/Modesto, 86.
ERA: (starters) Adam Eaton, Colorado Springs, 1.80; Juan Nicasio, Asheville, 1.91; (relievers) Matthew Reynolds, Modesto, 1.29; Edgmer Escolona, Modesto, 2.48.
