Denver Post sports writer Troy E. Renck posts his Rockies Mailbag on Tuesdays during the 2009 MLB season. The next installment is slated for Aug. 25.
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I don’t understand why Seth Smith ever sits. He’s hitting .300. Is his defense that bad?
— Steve, Denver
Steve – Smith’s crime is that he typecast himself as a pinch-hitter supreme. Those guys are hard to find, and almost impossible to unearth at a young age. He did it well, making him a valuable weapon off the bench. But he’s earned more playing time because he hits too well to sit.
To your question, his defense has been fine. He just doesn’t cover the same ground as Carlos Gonzalez or Ryan Spilborghs in left. Ideally, manager Jim Tracy would like Smith to come off the bench, but that will only happen if CarGo keeps hitting.
Who got the better haul of players/prospects for Matt Holliday: the A’s or the Rockies? Thanks.
— Jim, Westminster
Jim – Truth is, the answer won’t come for a few more years. For me, the debate centers on who distinguishes themselves more: Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez or Oakland’s potential opening day third baseman next season, Brett Wallace. Gonzalez is a toolsy player who is finally showing he can hit big league pitching. Wallace is a bopper, who could bring cheap power to Oakland. But neither of them has accomplished anything yet.
For this season, the trade was a win for the Rockies because of Huston Street. There’s been no better closer in the National League. He’s been absolute darkness to opposing teams in the ninth inning. Most importantly for me, he doesn’t walk anybody. If you beat Street, you have to earn it.
Does the differential between Ubaldo Jimenez’s fastball, averaging 98 mph, and his changeup, at 89, work against him? Doesn’t his changeup sometimes bail out hitters who are not catching up to his heat? He’s given up, what, five home runs, and I would bet they were on changeups.
— David, Aurora
David – The changeup can be the great equalizer. San Francisco’s Tim Lincecum throws a power changeup to keep hitters off his fastball and curve. It turned him into a Cy Young Award winner.
The issue with Ubaldo Jimenez isn’t the speed variance, but the pitch sequence and choice. He sometimes falls into a trap of making his worst pitch at the worst moment. Like giving up an RBI hit to Dodgers pitcher Randy Wolf on a curveball. He’s growing as a pitcher, reading swings better. The changeup is a fantastic pitch. I fully expect Jimenez to get a better feel for when to throw it as he evolves.
How do you pronounce “Jhoulys Chacin”?
— Phil Perry, Parker
Phil – T-O-P P-R-O-S-P-E-C-T.
In all seriousness, it is pronounced Yo-LEASE Sha-SHEEN.
Dr. J. might work as well.
I keep hearing that Jim Tracy is related to Chad Tracy. Is this the same Chad Tracy who plays first base for the Arizona Diamondbacks?
— Jake, Westminster
Jake – Jim Tracy’s entire family is in baseball. Tracy, indeed, has a son named Chad, but it’s not the Chad Tracy with the Diamondbacks. Jim’s son Chad is crushing pitches in the Texas League for the Texas Rangers’ Double-A affiliate. His boy will get a shot in the big leagues with his bat. He doesn’t have a true position yet, but dad hasn’t given up on him being a catcher.
His other sons are also heavily involved in baseball. Mark, who has spent the past few days at Coors Field taking BP, is heading back to Duquesne for his senior season as a first baseman/catcher. He’s a big guy who nearly took a scholarship to play linebacker at Colorado State. His other boy Brian was drafted by the Pirates as a pitcher. He’s now a scout in the organization.
I’m a big Ryan Spilborghs fan, mainly because I like the underdog, but he seems to be the odd man out. Any chance the Rockies will keep him?
— Daniel Williams, Nashville, Tenn.
Daniel – Ryan Spilborghs is hard not to like. Great personality, great energy and a solid player. It’s too bad that he didn’t get off to a hot start to show he can play everyday. With Dexter Fowler and Carlos Gonzalez around, the window of opportunity was short for Spilborghs.
The Rockies didn’t trade him this season because he’s such an asset coming off the bench and in the clubhouse. But it would not surprise me if they entertain offers for him this winter given the organization’s outfield depth. In fact, I expect it.
Do you think Jeff Francis will ever be an effective pitcher in the big leagues again?
— Matt, Boulder
Matt – Shoulder surgeries are no joke. It’s actually easier to come back from Tommy John elbow surgery. The issue is command. A guy’s shoulder feels strong, but the arm feels a little foreign. Francis doesn’t throw hard, so he needs to be precise. Given his young age and work ethic, he should be fine. It may not be next season, though. Full recovery might not be evident until 2011.
Denver Post sports writer Troy E. Renck is in his 14th season of covering the Colorado Rockies, his eighth for The Denver Post. , or .
