PHOENIX — There are two glaring holes in Troy Tulowitzki’s resume that could be addressed this season.
He has never made an all-star team or won a Gold Glove. Both are within reach this year given his performance and Jimmy Rollins’ injury issues.
“Of course it’s something you think about,” Tulowitzki said Friday. “I have had good seasons, but everyone knows how much I have struggled early in seasons. This year, I feel like I have held my own.”
Tulowitzki entered the series opener against the Diamondbacks hitting .308 with seven home runs and 27 RBIs. He led all big-league shortstops in on-base percentage (.379), slugging percentage (.492) and runs (40).
“Even if Jimmy Rollins was healthy, our guy deserves national attention in the same way that Ubaldo Jimenez does,” manager Jim Tracy said.
Tulowitzki ranked third in the recent all-star fan voting, behind Rollins and Florida’s Hanley Ramirez. He’s the only Rockie to rank in the top five at any position.
“I watched the All-Star Game growing up, and went to the game in 2007 in San Francisco,” Tulowitzki said. “It would be an honor. Hopefully, I can put myself in position to be considered.”
More than an all-star appearance, Tulowitzki wants a Gold Glove. He had legitimate shots in 2007 and 2009, but lost out to Rollins.
Rollins, however, has played only 12 games this season and isn’t expected back from a calf injury for another nine days.
Tulowitzki ranks first in fielding percentage (.985), chances (271), putouts (107) and assists (160).
“I pride myself on my defense. I would rather make a great defensive play than hit a home run,” Tulowitzki said.
De La Rosa in the house.
Starter Jorge De La Rosa spent the past few days trying to secure a visa for his family to come from Mexico to the States. De La Rosa will throw a bullpen session today at Chase Field without any tape on his injured left middle finger. He hopes to return to the Rockies’ rotation this month.
Footnotes.
Huston Street (right groin) threw one inning for Triple-A Colorado Springs, allowing no hits on 12 pitches. He remains hopeful that he will rejoin the Rockies soon. Before returning, he will throw back-to-back games. . . . The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community named the Rockies and Diamondbacks’ new spring training facility Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.
