SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Shortly after working on their sliders, fastballs and changeups during a morning bullpen session here Tuesday, Rockies pitchers moved to the diamond for PFP — pitchers fielding practice.
They handled bunts and made throws to first, third and home plate. It was the beginning of groundhog day. In some form or fashion, pitchers will go through PFP every morning at spring training.
“There comes a time when it can get monotonous, for sure, but that’s when you have to keep your focus,” right-hander Chad Bettis said as pitchers and catchers opened camp with their first official workouts. “In games, it’s something we have to do better as a staff. We need to get better coming off the mound.”
Rockies pitchers committed 23 errors last season, third most in the major leagues. New manager Bud Black, a former big-league pitcher and pitching coach, vows to make improved fielding a priority for his pitchers.
“It’s very important,” he said Tuesday. “I think to be a good pitcher, a successful pitcher … you have to incorporate all of those things. Controlling the running game, fielding your position, and keeping your emotions in check.”
Compounding Colorado’s pitching woes last season was the Rockies’ sub-par performance throwing out would-be basestealers. Opponents stole 100 bases against the Rockies a season ago and were thrown out just 31 times. That 23.7 caught-stealing percentage ranked 20th in the major leagues. That statistic cannot be blamed solely on the catchers. Some pitchers’ lack awareness and slow delivery times to the plate played a huge role.
Case in point: former Rockies left-handed pitcher Jorge De La Rosa, who sometimes lost his composure and simply forgot to check baserunners. In a 4-3 loss at Cincinnati on April 19, the Reds stole five bases in a four-run second inning — the most stolen bases ever against the Rockies in one inning. The blame was largely De La Rosa’s.
Rookie catcher Tom Murphy, likely to share time behind the plate with Tony Wolters, said catchers must play an active role in helping pitchers manage their fielding duties.
“It’s part of our responsibility, because we see the whole field,” Murphy said. “It’s never one person, it’s a team thing. We need to give (pitchers) information to help them out in certain situations.”
Right-hander Jon Gray, however, see it as a pitcher’s responsibility to slow the running game.
“Absolutely,” Gray said. “From fielding to bunting to holding guys on base, those are little edges you can give yourself to help win a game. We need to know our scouting reports and be on the same page with the catchers. That’s our responsibility.”
Black agrees.
“Those guys who need work will get it,” he said. “Those guys that need the repetition from a fielding perspective, will get it. Those guys that need to improve the control of the running game, we will teach them.”
