TUCSON — It’s one thing to give up a stolen base now and again. But the Rockies were victims of a crime spree last season.
Only the Red Sox (90.4 percent) allowed opponents to swipe bases at a higher success rate than Colorado (85.2). For a team that harbors World Series dreams and is run by a detail-oriented manager, this is an embarrassing statistic that must be corrected.
“It’s not OK,” said Rockies bench coach Tom Runnells, who is responsible for helping control the running game. “We must have better awareness.”
Holding runners has been a point of emphasis this spring. In fact, before the games began, starter Aaron Cook was asked to address a group of pitchers on the topic. Cook is held as the example of how to prevent extra bases. He varies his times to the plate, employs a slide step that he has been using since he was 13 and isn’t afraid to throw to any base.
“I told the guys that you have to take it personal,” Cook said. “The runner is on base because of something we did. You can’t just forget about him.”
Neglect was part of the problem last season. But there was a confluence of factors that led opponents to run wild. Former starter Yorvit Torrealba never regained his arm strength after a 2006 shoulder injury. And Chris Iannetta struggled at times with his footwork, taking too many steps before throwing the ball.
The result? The opposition stole 115 bases in 135 attempts.
“The percentage by guys with average or below-average speed was way too high,” Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. “They took advantage of us. I don’t think you will be seeing so much of that risky business this year.”
Part of the reason is catcher Miguel Olivo. He brings a linebacker’s build (6-feet, 230 pounds) and a quarterback’s arm to his new team. In a down year, he still erased 24 percent of the base-stealers last season in Kansas City, a number that should increase as his receiving skills improve with extra practice every morning.
“God blessed me with a good arm,” Olivo said. “I like throwing guys out.”
Iannetta started and finished strong defensively. He continues to work with catching instructor Mark Strittmatter on getting rid of the ball more quickly.
“I learned you can’t rush regardless of what the runner is doing,” Iannetta said. “You just hope the pitcher gives you a chance.”
Jimenez was guilty of hanging his catchers out to dry last year. While Jimenez has developed quick feet, a hitch in his delivery provided baserunners with a cheat sheet. He would swing his arms back in his delivery, allowing opponents to run free, including former Philadelphia pitcher Cliff Lee, who stole a base in the division series before Jimenez corrected the flaw.
Runnells praised Jimenez’s work Sunday as a sign of how much he has improved.
“They steal bases on the pitcher, not the catcher,” Cook explained. “We have the best defense in the league. Our job is to help them out. Know the score, know the situation, know who’s on base.”
The stock answer to putting the brakes on runners is telling pitchers to be faster to the plate. But that logic only goes so far. A slide step with no leg kick can compromise location, particularly with a breaking ball.
“That’s why there will be times I tell Tommy to not bother the pitcher, just let him go and focus on the guy at the plate,” Tracy said.
Counts also influence opponents’ willingness to run. Getting ahead makes it harder for anyone but a burner to take off. But throwing more strikes isn’t the lone answer. If a pitcher remains robotic and predictable, the burglary rate will spike to unacceptable levels again.
“The guy who could possibly go, but shouldn’t, we can’t let go on us. We gave them too many opportunities like that last season,” Runnells said. “It’s something we are very conscious of. It’s something that we know we can improve.”
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
