TUCSON, Ariz.—Ubaldo Jimenez is hoping a couple of minor adjustments will allow him to go deeper into games for the Colorado Rockies.
Jimenez threw his first bullpen session of spring training Friday, and pitching coach Bob Apodaca was pleased with what he saw.
“Today is absolutely how I’d hoped he’d come here,” Apodaca said.
Jimenez went 15-12 last year, and his 3.47 ERA was the lowest in franchise history for a starting pitcher. He ranked sixth in the National League in innings (218) and strikeouts (198).
But the 26-year-old right-hander had some problems with his command when he was pitching out of the stretch. That forced him out of some games early because of a high pitch count.
Apodaca said Jimenez was quicker to the plate when he pitched out of the stretch during the bullpen session and his improved alignment led to better command.
“This guy didn’t take the winter off,” Apodaca said after the first workout for Colorado pitchers and catchers. “He wants to be great. He doesn’t want to be just a good pitcher.”
Jimenez helped the Rockies win a franchise-record 92 games last year and reach the playoffs as the NL wild card. That success has created lofty expectations for this season, something manager Jim Tracy addressed with the players before the workout.
“I just made sure they’re aware that that’s a wonderful thing, in my opinion,” Tracy said. “That’s certainly not something to be afraid of or to feel like we have to do anything different.”
The Rockies have a deep rotation—fifth starter Jason Hammel has a power arm and went 10-8 with a 4.33 ERA over 176 2-3 innings—but lack a true No. 1 starter. Jimenez has the stuff and mindset to rise to that level.
Jimenez pitched at least six innings in 29 of his 33 starts, including a franchise-record 25 straight. He ranked second in the NL in pitches thrown (3,570) but had eight games where he threw at least 90 pitches and left after the sixth, in part done in by his pitch count.
Working more efficiently out of the stretch would help the hard-throwing Jimenez take the next step to being the ace the Rockies believe he can be.
What Jimenez needs to attain bona fide No. 1 status is “just maturity,” general manager Dan O’Dowd said. “Slowing himself down more, just trying not to do too much. Nothing more than that.
“It’s the evolution of turning himself into a pitcher. I truly he’ll figure that out on his timeframe, not ours. That’s how it works.”
