Denver Post sports writer Troy E. Renck posts his Rockies Mailbag every other Monday during the 2011 MLB season. The next installment is slated for May 23.
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Troy: When will hitting coach Carney Lansford start taking some heat? He was brought in specifically to address the near busts of Ian Stewart, Chris Iannetta and (to an extent) Seth Smith. Stewart is at .077, and Iannetta is at .175. I don’t want to hear about OBP and “quality at-bats.” If I were a paid tutor and my students kept failing tests, how long would I be kept around?
— Craig, Denver
Craig – Your frustration is shared by many fans, based on and e-mail. Here’s the deal: Carney Lansford’s message is clear and sound. He’s asked players to hit foul line to foul line, and to be more aggressive with two strikes.
Everyone wants to blame coaches when players don’t hit. This is the third hitting instructor for the players you mentioned: Alan Cockrell, Don Baylor, now Lansford. It’s not always the messenger. At some point, the players have to produce.
That said, I would suggest that it’s too early to draw conclusions on the offense. While clearly the organization’s patience with Stewart — right or wrong — seems limited, there won’t be a lineup overhaul. The Rockies’ improvement must come from within. Getting back to Coors Field for an eight-game homestand in decent weather should help. If they don’t hit this week, then it’s time for real concern at the season’s quarter pole.
My mom is a diehard Rockies and Niwot baseball fan. She and I are wondering: What’s the latest news on the injury to Sean Ratliff, former Niwot and Stanford ballplayer? What are the chances of his returning to baseball?
— Glenn Miyasaki, Longmont
Glenn – Sean Ratliff suffered a devastating eye injury when a foul ball struck him while he stood in the on-deck circle at spring training. The force of the ball broke six facial bones and nearly detached his retina. Ratliff, in the last update I saw from ESPN’s Adam Rubin, has undergone two surgeries. There’s hope that the former Niwot star and one-time teammate of Greg Reynolds at Stanford will be able to make a full recovery.
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Do you have the info to track win-loss vs. color of jersey. It’s my impression the Rockies are 100 percent wins in the purple this year, and they consistently lose the day after when they switch to the white/grays. Any way to track that stat on color winning streak?
— John Dougherty, Aurora
John – I struggle to have a colorful personality, so I am probably the wrong guy to ask. I don’t chart their records in jerseys. I am sure an Internet search or Twitter message would find someone who does.
This much I know: The Rockies were silly good in black in 2007 and when Ubaldo Jimenez started last season. The purple has been a modest success this season. I am not crazy about the color, only because it’s just not my taste. With HDTV, the purple looks better than in years past when the jerseys appeared faded blue on the screen.
When could we see Kyle Parker in the big leagues?
— Mike, Jacksonville, Fla.
Mike – I wish I knew. He’s done well in the minor leagues this season, hitting .311 with two home runs and 22 RBIs in 23 games. Parker is an impressive athlete. I continue to hear good things about his power. Until he gets to Double-A and produces, it’s hard to project when he might land in the big leagues. But if he hits in Tulsa this season, then he pops on the radar.
I can’t help but notice that Michael Young is ripping the cover off the ball in Texas. Is there any chance that a deal to bring him to Colorado isn’t completely dead?
— Josh, North Carolina
Josh – As I said on Twitter, time to dim the lights and extinguish the torch on the trade talk. Why in God’s name would the Rangers trade him? He’s been their best player.
The Rockies had a deal in place for Young. They thought it was done, then the Rangers balked. But everything has changed since then. The Rangers aren’t going to move him while Josh Hamilton and Nelson Cruz are hurting. The reality is that the Rockies need their own players to get better.
One player I will keep an eye on is the Mets’ David Wright. There’s nothing there right now, just barstool chatter. But I am curious to see who will be a player for the third baseman, and if that list will include the Rockies.
I like Jim Tracy as a manager, but sometimes I think he makes too many changes, especially with the pitching staff. Is there a sense that Tracy will end up taxing the Rockies bullpen this season (as he did last year)?
— Joey, Colorado
Joey – Manager Jim Tracy was nicknamed the Micro Manager when he was in Los Angeles. Truthfully, I would rather have a manager who’s overprepared. It’s easy to criticize him for use of the bullpen in hindsight. I know he creates the best matchups. And he hasn’t overused guys. That’s why Huston Street didn’t pitch in a tie game on Saturday. And it’s why they have kept Matt Lindstrom and Rafael Betancourt unavailable on certain days.
The issue going forward is whether Tracy has the right pieces. It’s easy to manage when the Rockies have a lead, leaving Matt Reynolds, Betancourt, Lindstrom and Street to close it out. But in tie games or when the team is trailing, Felipe Paulino and Franklin Morales have struggled. The nature of Coors Field is that you can’t have a five-man bullpen. They need better from certain guys, or need to promote Matt Daley or Rex Brothers.
What’s it going to take to keep Clayton Mortensen around? I think he could have a great future as a regular.
— Dr. Nate, Denver
Nate – Clayton Mortensen has made a solid impression. I could see him in a number of roles, either remaining as the fifth starter or as a long reliever. I didn’t know much about Mortensen before he arrived in spring training. But his sinker is legitimate. He’s definitely going to be a factor moving forward.
Denver Post sports writer Troy E. Renck is in his 16th season of covering the Colorado Rockies, his 10th for The Denver Post. for the Rockies Mailbag.
