Battle lines update: Morales more than enough
A look at the position battles the Rockies have this spring:
Fifth Starter
1. Franklin Morales, left-hander | 10-1, 5.00 in three games.
Last game: Saturday, 9-7 win against Giants at Scottsdale. Worked four shutout innings, giving up three hits and striking out three.
2. Greg Smith, left-hander | 0-1, 9.00 in two games
Last game: Tuesday, 8-6 loss to Milwaukee at Phoenix. Allowed two runs on three hits in three innings of a start.
3. Jason Hirsh, right-hander | 0-1, 14.04, three games
Last game: Saturday, allowed six runs on seven hits and three walks in 3 2/3 innings.
4. Greg Reynolds, right-hander | 0-0, 9.00, two games
Last game: Tuesday, 8-6 loss to Milwaukee in Phoenix. Allowed four runs ont here hits, including two home runs, and three waks in three innings, and was charged with a blown save.
5. Josh Fogg, right-hander | 0-0, 36.00, one game
Last game: Wednesday, worked two scoreless innings, giving up two hits, in a 5-0 “B” Game victory against Arizona.
6. Matt Belisle, right-hander | Has not pitched.
Left Field
1. Seth Smith, left-handed hitter | .267, five games, a double, home run and four RBI
Last game: Sautrday, started in left field in 9-7 win agaisnt Giants in Scottsdale. Went 1-for-5 with an RBI and two striekouts.
2. Carlos Gonzales, left-handed hitter | .200, five games, a double and triple
Last game: Saturday, started in center field in 9-7 win against Giants at Scottsdale, going 0-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI.
3. Ian Stewart, left-handed hitter | Has not played because of strained left triceps
Centerfield
1. Ryan Spilborghs, right-handed hitter | .167, one RBI four games.
Last game: Friday, started in center field in 13-11 victory against Padres in Peoria. 2-for-4 with an RBI and a walk, first hits of the spring.
2. Carlos Gonzalez, left-handed hitter | See left-field battle.
3. Dexter Fowler, switch-hitter | .154, seven games, seven strikeouts, 13 at-bats.
Last game: Friday, came into center field defensively in 13-11 victory against Padres at Peoria. 1-for-2 with aa strikeout and RBI.
Backup outfielder
Three players contending for an extra outfield job, the field expanding depending on what happens in the battles for left field and center field.
1. Scott Podsednik, left-handed hitter | .250, four games
Last game: Friday, started in leftifled in 13-11 victory against Padres at Peoria. 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
2. Matt Murton, right-handed hitter | .333, seven games, one home run, two RBI
Last game: Saturday, started in right field in 9-7 win against Giants at Scottsdale. Went 1-for-3 with a run scored and a walk.
3. Dan Ortmeier, switch-hitter | .200, seven games
Last game: Saturday, defensive replacement in right field went 1-for-1.
Bullpen
1. Ryan Speier, right-hander | 0-0, 0.00 in three games.
Last game: Saturday, worked one perfect inning in 9-7 win against Giants at Scottsdale.
2. Juan Morillo, right-hander | 0-0, 0.00 in three games, walking three and hitting one in three innings.
Last game: Monday worked one innings of shutout relief, giving up one hit and striking out one in 12-3 loss to Angels at Hi Corbett Field.
It’s a little early with just one full week of spring training so far. But, if I were to choose now with what I’ve seen so far I would go with Morales, Seth Smith, CF is a question mark since Spilly was gone for a while and probably has things on his mind right now, but with the small sample size of production I say Carlos Gonzalez, Matt Murton and Ryan Speier.
As much as I would like to see Carlos Gonzalez here now living up to his potential, unless it’s obvious he’s ready and gets to play every day he should probably start at Triple-A this season. Probably won’t be long before he moves up though. I have been skeptical of Morales’ readiness as a starter, but other than that one rough outing he’s been great this spring.
Question: was Morales’ rough outing earlier in spring a result of the rigid pitching rules placed on him? it’s easy to get shelled if the other team knows pitch 1 is a fb outside, pitch 2 is a fb low and inside and pitch 3 is a fb up and inside. How has his command looked outside of the “results” Tracy? Do you think the light bulb has finally gone off?
Matt, I do think that the command is much better. I don’t know what to think of the sudden claim that he had a sore back last year that he never told anyone about, but the command is what I am most interested in this spring. I know he had decent ratios in winter ball, but facing younger hitters you get away with pitches. That’s why the command will be a bigger focus, in my mind, later in the spring when the rosters are being trimmed and more and more regulars are getting extended at-bats.
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