MILWAUKEE — Early one spring morning at Hi Corbett Field in Tucson, Ubaldo Jimenez walked over to the clubhouse stereo and changed the tune. He preferred something more Latin, more lively.
As the bass thumped off the walls, he performed a little jig and smiled. Those watching knew this was not about the music. This was a signature moment, a reminder that Jimenez has arrived.
“He would have never done that before,” Rockies pitching coach Bob Apodaca said. “He used to be as quiet as a mouse. Now, he’s more assertive in everything he does.”
Jimenez’s evolution from meek to muscle continues today against the Milwaukee Brewers as he makes his first opening-day start. Since 2007, Jimenez has been the Rockies’ most talented pitcher. Now, he’s their best. He’s frequently mentioned as a Cy Young Award candidate, with a popular Internet site giving him shorter odds than Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain.
“I want that responsibility. I want to help my team win,” Jimenez said. “I am aware of all the talk. It’s fun because everybody has something to say. And it’s usually good.”
Beginning his fourth season, Jimenez, 26, no longer assaults just one sense. When he first arrived, teammates would marvel at how they could hear Jimenez’s fastball hiss through the air. And there were some opponents who practically swore they never saw the ball, just heard the pop of the catcher’s glove. For many pitchers, this would have established a career pattern. Throw hard, and when in trouble, throw harder.
This is what distinguishes Jimenez, makes him so valuable as the Rockies begin their march for a first-ever National League West crown and first-ever back-to- back playoff appearances. He has become a pitcher. He’s not addicted to strikeouts. He’s comfortable pitching to contact, realizing that his 96 mph sinking fastball is about as fun to hit as a manhole cover.
“He’s on a whole different level than the rest of us,” reliever Matt Daley said. “He has five pitches he can throw for strikes, but when he establishes that fastball, he’s very difficult to handle.”
Jimenez won 15 games last season and worked at least six innings in 25 consecutive starts. Both Apodaca and manager Jim Tracy believe he can be better with improved sequences. Jimenez agrees.
He displayed uncommon maturity — his hallmark since signing as a 16-year-old — this spring, taking so seriously the edict to trust his fastball that he threw it 72 times in 76 pitches during his last outing. The idea is that by using it more, it will make his secondary pitches — a nasty split-fingered changeup and big bending breaking ball — even better when unveiled the third time through a lineup.
“You see a lot of guys go from the American League to the National League and get better because the lineups aren’t as strong. This guy would dominate in any league, any division,” first baseman Jason Giambi said. “His stuff is absolutely filthy.”
Jimenez has long approached today’s assignment as if it were a Tuesday in San Diego. He has pitched in the World Baseball Classic, the playoffs and the World Series.
“The hardest part for me will be sleeping because of the two-hour time change from Arizona. I like to stay up to 11. I can’t do that here,” said Jimenez, who worked seven innings without allowing a run in his one previous start at Miller Park. “I get nervous about my wake-up call, not about the game.”
Jimenez played catch Sunday, joked with teammates and began his ritual of drinking lots of water and Gatorade. There was no noticeable change in his demeanor. Only his look.
“I cut my hair for opening day,” said Jimenez, running his hand over his shaved head. “I am ready.”
For the Rockies to get where they want to go, they need Jimenez to break through to stardom. That challenge is, well, music to his ears.
“We have lost Huston (Street) and (Jeff) Francis. And nobody wanted to see that. But we are still confident; we know how good we can be,” Jimenez said. “I am not going to put any extra pressure on myself. I know what I can do. I look forward to getting us started on the right foot.”
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
Looking ahead
Ubaldo Jimenez (15-12, 3.47 ERA in 2009) has evolved from an erratic fireballer to a fire- breathing monster. No longer does he focus on strikeouts. He has five pitches but relies much more on a sinking fastball for quick outs. Jimenez has had his way with Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder, holding them, combined, to one hit in a 11 at-bats. Yovani Gallardo (13-12, 3.73) pitches off his fastball but can struggle to control it at times. He employs a huge, over-the-top curveball and will complement it with a slider to righties and a changeup to lefties. Troy Tulowitzki is 3-for-6 against him with two doubles. Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
Upcoming pitching matchups
Tuesday: Rockies’ Greg Smith (1-2, 7.28 ERA in Triple-A in 2009) vs. Brewers’ Randy Wolf (11-7, 3.23), 6:10 p.m., FSN
Wednesday: Rockies’ Aaron Cook (11-6, 4.16) vs. Brewers’ Doug Davis (9-14, 4.12), 11:10 a.m., FSN
Thursday: Off
Friday: Padres’ Clayton Richard (9-5, 4.41) vs. Rockies’ Jorge De La Rosa (16-9, 4.38), 2:10 p.m., FSN
