Springtime is for planting seeds, and in baseball it’s time to replenish the farm system.
Bill Schmidt, the Rockies’ director of scouting, began the process once again last week by selecting about 50 players in the June amateur draft of college and high school players.
Not all of the players selected will enter the Rockies’ system. But a lot will, and Schmidt thinks this group has enough promise to fill the base of the development system.
Outfielder Kyle Parker, the Rockies’ first-round pick from Clemson University, has plenty of baseball credentials. But he also plays football, and the Rockies could be in for a tug of war with the NFL to sign him.
But either way, Marc Gustafson, director of player development, is ready to dish out the new seeds to the Rockies’ short-season teams: the Tri-City Dust Devils in Pasco, Wash., and the Casper Ghosts in Wyoming.
“We’ve got enough players in our extended spring training camp to get both teams started, but it’s always exciting to see some new potential come into the system,” Gustafson said.
There’s an interesting case of player development at the other end of the ladder in the Rockies’ system. Infielder Chris Nelson, a first-round Rockies selection in 2004, is playing in Triple-A Colorado Springs.
Nelson has yet to get a major-league game on his resume and has missed a lot of playing time because of injuries. In baseball development, out of sight can become out of mind. When on the disabled list, players can get passed by others who are moving up the ladder at a faster clip.
Gustafson agrees that it’s time for Nelson to show the promise of a first-round draft pick.
After missing some playing time early in the season, Nelson is on a hot streak. Over a 10-game span into last week, he hit .415 (17-for-41), with seven extra-base hits and 12 RBIs. In that span, he had a four-hit game, two three-hit games and a two-hit game.
“I’m excited to be back in the lineup,” Nelson said. “I don’t feel that I’ve fallen behind. I haven’t really played in a year, and I’m just getting back into the swing of things.”
Nelson played in only 29 games last year in Double-A for the Tulsa Drillers. In his six previous seasons, he managed to play more than 100 games twice: 118 at Asheville in 2006 and 133 the following year at Modesto.
“I’ve wanted every year to be my year,” Nelson said. “It has been disappointing, but at the same time, I’m mentally tougher by getting through the adversity. I want to be an impact player and play for the Rockies.”
Nelson went to his third big-league camp during spring training and came away believing the Rockies had a plan for him.
He’s more versatile than when he was drafted as a shortstop six years ago. He has played second base, shortstop and third base for Sky Sox manager Stu Cole.
And he’s faster on his feet.
When reminded that Tulsa has a new baseball park this year, Nelson said, “I’m glad they have a new park, but I’m glad I didn’t see it.”
Minor-league spotlight
Bruce Billings, RHP, Tulsa
Billings watched from the dugout Wednesday night as his record of 39 consecutive scoreless innings came to an end.
He was sailing along with the record intact with two out in the eighth inning as the Tulsa Drillers played Springfield in the Double-A Texas League. But a walk and a base hit brought in reliever Scott Rice. Manager Ron Gideon thought it was best to bring in a fresh arm.
Billings watched as Rice walked a batter, then hit a batter with the bases loaded, forcing in a run that was charged to Billings.
The 39 scoreless innings set a record for the Rockies’ minor-league system and came within three innings of tying the Texas League record for consecutive scoreless frames.
“I guess it was meant to be,” Billings said of the streak’s demise. “I’d rather have been in there myself, but that’s how it ended.”
Billings, whom the Rockies selected in the 30th round in the 2007 June draft from San Diego State, has been on a hot streak overall. He went 4-3 in his last 10 starts, with a 2.18 ERA in 57 2/3 innings. He walked 19 and struck out 40 in the span.
Billings is 5-3 for the season with a 2.73 ERA. The five victories are tied for the second most in the Rockies’ farm system.
Organizational leaders (Through Thursday)
HITTING: (48 games) Jordan Pacheco, Modesto, .340; James Cesario, Modesto, .339.
RUNS: Matt Miller, Colorado Springs, 46; Thomas Field, Modesto, 45; Eliezer Mesa, Asheville, 45.
HITS: Cesario, Modesto, 75; Mesa, Asheville, 73.
DOUBLES: Brian Rike, Modesto, 21; Mesa, Asheville, 20.
TRIPLES: Cesario, Modesto, 9; Mesa, Asheville, 5.
HOME RUNS: Brad Eldred, Colorado Springs, 15; Jared Clark, Asheville, 9; Field, Modesto, 9.
RBIs: Eldred, Colorado Springs, 48; Cesario, Modesto, 41; Pacheco, Modesto, 41.
STOLEN BASES: Anthony Jackson, Tulsa, 13; Angelys Nina, Asheville, 13.
PITCHING VICTORIES: Kenneth Durst, Modesto, 7; five pitchers with 5.
LOSSES: Chaz Roe, Colorado Springs, 7; Brandon Durden, Tulsa/Colorado Springs, 6; Jonathan Vargas, Asheville, 6.
SAVES: Adam Jorgenson, Modesto, 16; Juan Rincon, Colorado Springs, 7.
INNINGS: Ethan Hollingsworth, Modesto, 75 1/3; Keith Weiser, Tulsa, 70.
WALKS: Dan Houston, Modesto, 28; Rob Scahill, Modesto, 26.
STRIKEOUTS: Hollingsworth, Modesto, 74; Juan Nicasio, Modesto, 63.
ERA: (starters) Tyler Matzek, Asheville, 1.83; Ching Lung Lo, Tulsa, 2.51; (relievers) Scott Rice, Tulsa, 1.26; Matt Reynolds, Colorado Springs, 1.71.
