Maybe the Rockies should begin issuing health insurance to their first-round picks in baseball’s annual June draft. Six of their past eight first-round picks aren’t playing, and five of the past six have yet to play in a game this season.
Rockies fans know third baseman Ian Stewart, drafted in 2003, and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, the first-round pick in 2005, are mainstays in the team’s infield. But you have to search long and hard for contributions from the other first- rounders. The search can be shortened just by looking on the disabled lists.
Left-handed pitcher Christian Friedrich, the Rockies’ top draft pick two years ago, has seen action for Double-A Tulsa, but he’s on the seven-day disabled list because of soreness in his elbow.
“We’ve had an MRI and everything is clear,” Tulsa manager Ron Gideon said. “I think he might miss just one more start.
“He’s got that big left-handed curveball that has been his out pitch. That’s a big reason why he has been successful.”
Asked about the injury bug that has struck many of the top draft picks, Gideon said, “We’ve got to get that fixed and get those players back on the field. All of our teams have to get better and start winning some games.”
Friedrich has been on the development fast track, moving up to high Single-A Modesto last year, his second season in the organization. Several numbers stand out from his combined time at Tri-City, Ashe- ville and Modesto.
In 167 2/3 innings at those three stops, the 6-foot-4 lefty allowed 139 hits and struck out 224 batters while walking just 58. His combined ERA was 2.95. Before going on the disabled list, Friedrich made three starts for Tulsa — striking out 16 in 16 innings.
Otherwise, the statistic lines for other first-round selections are blank. Left-hander Jeff Francis (2002) is on the Rockies’ disabled list because of soreness under his left shoulder.
Shortstop Chris Nelson, the Rockies’ top pick in 2004, has been plagued by injuries and has yet to play above Double- A. He’s on the Triple-A Sky Sox’s disabled list because of a strained oblique muscle.
Right-hander Greg Reynolds, the second overall pick in the 2006 draft, was rushed to the Rockies in 2008. He compiled a 2-8 record. Plagued by soreness in his shoulder, Reynolds made one start in 2009 and is back on the disabled list after being struck on the right elbow by a line drive during spring training.
Right-hander Casey Weathers, the Rockies’ top selection and the eighth overall pick in 2007, is recovering from Tommy John surgery after missing the 2009 season. Left-handed pitcher Tyler Matzek, the 11th player taken in the first round last year out of Capistrano Valley High School in California, is awaiting his first playing assignment while in extended spring training in Tucson.
