Battles lines update: Murton makes case
A look at the position battles the Rockies have this spring:
Fifth Starter
1. Franklin Morales, left-hander | 1-1, 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: Sunday, scratched from start in 4-2 victory against Padres at Hi Corbett Field because of flu-like symptoms. Scheduled to start Friday.
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 | 1-0, 5.00, three games
Last gin 4-2 victory against Padres at Hi Corbett Field.
5. Josh Fogg, right-hander | 0-0, 11.25, two games
Last game: Sunday, worked three innings allowing one run on two hits and a strikeout in 4-2 victory against Padres at Hi Corbett Field.
6. Matt Belisle, right-hander | 0-0, 0.00, 1 save, one game.
Last game: Sunday, worked ninth inning in 4-2 victory against Padres at Hi Corbett Field. Retired the side for the save.
Left Field
1. Seth Smith, left-handed hitter | .278, six games, a double, home run and seven RBI
Last game: Tuesday 14-7 victory against A’s at Hi Corbett Field. Went 1-for-3 with a double, sacrifice fly, three RBI and a strikeout.
2. Carlos Gonzales, left-handed hitter | .176, six games, a double and triple
Last game: Monday, played center field and right field in intra-squad game and was 2-for-3 with two RBI and a stolen bases.
3. Ian Stewart, left-handed hitter |.250, four games.
Last game: Wednesday, 5-0 victory against the Indians at Goodyear. Entered came defensively in left field. Went 0-for-1 with a strikeout.
Centerfield
1. Ryan Spilborghs, right-handed hitter | .364, six RBI, seven games.
Last game: Wednesday, 5-0 victory against the Indians at Goodyear. Started at DH. Went 1-for-3 with an RBI and walk..
2. Carlos Gonzalez, left-handed hitter | See left-field battle.
3. Dexter Fowler, switch-hitter | .190, 10 games, nine strikeouts, 20 at-bats.
Last game: Wednesday, 5-0 victory against the Indians at Goodyear. Started in centerfield. Went 1-for-4 wiot a triple, two runs scored, a walk and a strikeout.
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 | .211, five games
Last game: Sunday, started in left field in 4-2 victory against the Padres at Hi Corbett Field. Went 0-for-3 with a sacrifice fly and scored a run.
2. Matt Murton, right-handed hitter | .450, nine games, one home run, three RBI
Last game: Wednesday, 5-0 victory against the Indians at Goodyear. Started in right field. Went 2-for-3.
3. Dan Ortmeier, switch-hitter | .300, nine games
Last game: Wednesday, 5-0 victory against the Indians at Goodyear. Started at first base and moved to right field. Went 3-for-4 with an RBI, run scored, double and stolen base.
Bullpen
1. Ryan Speier, right-hander | 1-0, 0.00 in five games.
Last game: Tuesday in 14-7 victory against A’s at Hi Corbett Field. Worked two shutout innings, allowing two hits and striking out three.
2. Matt Belisle, right-hander | 0-0, 0.00, 1 save in one game.
Last game: Sunday, worked the ninth inning of 4-2 victory against the Padres at Hi Corbett Field.
3. Juan Morillo, right-hander | 0-0, 2.25 in four games, walking three and hitting one in four innings.
Last game: Sunday worked one inning, giving up a run on three hits, in 4-2 victory against Padres at Hi Corbett Field.
Hi Tracy,
Is it possible that De La Rosa is opening up a competition for the 4th spot in the rotation? It seems he’s been pretty shaky this spring, and I wonder how much leeway he still has.
Thanks for the updates!!
Hi Tracy,
Thanks for the updates. Is Murton in the mix to start in left or are they looking at him solely as a bench player?
Matt, the way De La Rosa has pitched has to make the Rockies look at possible alternatives.
The original feeling toward the rotation was that the locks were Cook, Jimenez and Marquis. When it became definite that Francis would have surgery, De La Rosa was added to the list. I think that was a two-prong decision. (1) He had an edge to begin with so go ahead and put him in and limit the uncertainty to one rotation spots. (2) give De La Rosa a confidence boost and let him know the staff has confidence in him.
The two starts have left that confidence shaken becuase his history is to pitch well in stretches and then cave in. With six weeks of excellent effort at the end of last season the Rockies were hoping he had turned the corner. He is going to have to prove that again this spring.
Jason, Murton is definitely in the mix. Remember if a right-handed hitter earns that extra outfield role he will be more than a mere backup in light of the fact Brad Hawpe and Seth Smith are both left-handed hitters. So for starters, Murton would have a good chance to playing against most every left-handed starter. The other thing to keep in mind is that Hurdle has shown as manager that if he has someone sharing a position he will go with the hot hand so if Smith struggles and Murton is doing well, Murton will assume more of the work load. The hope from the day Murton was acquired is he would have a solid spring and earn a roster spot.
Tracy,
Do the Rockies have the option to send De La Rosa to Colorado Springs, or is he out of options?
Julian
Julian, he is out of options but he also has a $2 million salary. He most likely would clear waivers and I wouldn’t expect him to walk away from a $2 million salary so if the decision was made to send him out it could happen. He also could be kept ina bullpen role, particularly with Buchholz out.
I know Murton will likely be on the roster, how can he not be. But what about Ortmeier? He seems to be having a good spring and is a switch hitter. Would he be used as a first baseman when Helton is out? Or do you see him being sent down and used in case of injury?
I think Ortmeier is a longshot. He is really a right-handed hitter — last year he gave up hitting left-handed although he has switch-hit again this spring. With Baker and the possiblity of Stewart staying, which would allow Atkins to play first, the Rockies have alternatives at first, particularly for a day or two a week.
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