Jason Hirsh departed the Rockies organization last week with less fanfare than when he arrived as a highly touted pitching arm of the future in 2006.
When he was traded Tuesday to the New York Yankees, Hirsh’s contribution to the Rockies totaled five victories, all from the 2007 season when the Rockies went to the World Series. He made 19 starts that year and one more last year in 23 total appearances that accounted for 121 innings. By number, Hirsh spent more days on the disabled list than innings pitched.
Hirsh spent this season with the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox. He posted a 6-7 record with a 6.66 ERA in 101 1/3 innings, but lost his place in the starting rotation two weeks ago and made four of his 20 appearances out of the bullpen.
“I have to look at this as a fresh start,” Hirsh said from the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre clubhouse, the Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate. “It’s almost like being drafted again. They don’t know me and I don’t know them.”
Hirsh is still adamant about getting back to the major leagues. Before joining the Rockies, he made nine starts for Houston in the 2006 season.
Hirsh has looked at the International League schedule and figures he could get eight starts before season’s end. “I think the Yankees could get a good feel for what I can or can’t do in eight starts,” Hirsh said. “I’m grateful for the opportunities the Rockies gave me, and experiencing the excitement and playoff atmosphere of 2007 was phenomenal and always will have a special place in my career.”
Hirsh found his time in the Sky Sox bullpen an interesting opportunity and looks on the bright side.
“I’m open to anything that’s going to get me back to the big leagues,” he said.
“A change of scenery might be just what Jason needs,” said Marc Gustafson, Rockies director of player development. “It’s a new start for him and maybe good for everybody involved.”
Hirsh’s departure and the subsequent placing of Greg Smith on the disabled list with back spasms has put Sky Sox manager Stu Cole in a quandary at a critical time. The Sky Sox head into August with the lead in the Pacific Coast League’s Pacific North Division, but also with a hole in the starting rotation.
Cole isn’t panicking.
“We have enough pitchers in the bullpen to fill the spot,” Cole said. “If Greg Smith misses another start, we may have to do it with the bullpen again.”
Veteran Damian Moss got the first call out of the bullpen. Moss had a 12-6 record with the Atlanta Braves in 2002 and a 9-7 mark with San Francisco in 2003. He had a 6-3 record and 3.38 ERA in 44 relief appearances going into Friday’s game.
Gustafson noted enough pitching possibilities to fill the order for two or three games. There are some familiar names, including Ryan Speier and Matt Herges, who have spent time in the Rockies bullpen.
Recently signed Mike Timlin, who is tuning up his pitching arm at Casper, could also join the Sky Sox.
Saves time.
If the Double-A Tulsa Drillers have been consistent at one thing, it has been saves. Speier and Steven Register each had 37 saves, in 2003 and 2007 respectively. Manny Corpas, currently on the Rockies disabled list, had 19 saves in 34 appearances in 2006. This year, Andrew Johnston has 27 saves, one behind Craig Baker in Asheville, who leads the Rockies organization.
Minor-league spotlight
Andrew Johnston RHP, Tulsa Drillers
He doesn’t throw a fastball 95 mph, but Andrew John- ston knows how to save games.
His season stats: 27 saves in 42 appearances, with a 2.59 ERA. But it is how he has chalked up impressive numbers that is impressive.
Johnston, a ninth-round Rockies draft pick in 2005 out of the University of Missouri, hasn’t allowed an earned run since June 28. He has one blown save this season, on April 29. Since then, Johnston has recorded 24 of his 27 saves. In his last 10 appearances, Johnston has collected six saves, including four in his last four appearances.
Johnston has been just what the Drillers needed in a tight North Division race in the Texas League. The Drillers trailed Northwest Arkansas by a game going into Saturday night’s game.
“He doesn’t throw in the mid-90s, and in terms of velocity he’s not a typical closer,” said Marc Gustafson, Rockies director of player development. “But he has a good sinking fastball, he’s aggressive and, at 6-foot-5, he has good presence on the mound.”
Gustafson projects Johnston as a setup man out of the bullpen.
Irv Moss, The Denver Post
Organizational leaders
(Through Thursday)
HITTING: (90 games) Matt Miller, Colorado Springs, .333; Scott Robinson, Asheville, .317.
RUNS: Eric Young Jr., Colorado Springs, 90; Mike McCoy, Colorado Springs, 76.
HITS: Miller, Colorado Springs, 127; Charles Blackmon, Modesto, 123.
DOUBLES: Jason Van Kooten, Modesto, 32; Miller, Colorado Springs, 30.
TRIPLES: Blackmon, Modesto, 7; Maikol Gonzalez, Modesto, 7; Jeffrey Cunningham, Modesto, 7.
HOME RUNS: David Christensen, Asheville, 14; Ryan Harvey, Tulsa, 12.
RBIs: Miller, Colorado Springs, 77; Jordan Pacheco, Asheville, 64.
STOLEN BASES: Young, Colorado Springs, 51; Robinson, Asheville, 35.
WINS: Joey Williamson, Modesto/Tulsa, 11; Samuel Deduno, Tulsa, 10.
LOSSES: Kenneth Durst, Modesto, 11; Keith Weiser, Tulsa, 9.
SAVES: Craig Baker, Modesto, 28; Andrew Johnston, Tulsa, 27.
INNINGS: Cory Riordan, Modesto, 127 2/3; Brandon Hynick, Colorado Springs, 120.
WALKS: Durst, Modesto, 44; Deduno, Tulsa, 44.
STRIKEOUTS: Christian Friedrich, Asheville/Modesto, 118; Riordan, Modesto, 96.
ERA: (starters) Chris Balcom-Miller, Casper, 1.67; Juan Nicasio, Asheville, 1.81; (relievers) Kyle Walker, Tri-City, 1.52; Matthew Reynolds, Modesto/Tulsa, 1.54; Coty Woods, Casper, 1.54.
