Is the rotation going to be a liability?
Aaron Cook and Ubaldo Jimenez are set as the Nos. 1 and 2 starters and both seem capable of having big seasons. But Jason Marquis is more of a fifth-starter type who is likely to end up the No. 3 starter.
He has been roughed up in consecutive spring outings, although with a veteran pitcher trying to work on different things _ and Marquis was tinkering with his delivery, seeking more of a downhill angle _ the laboratory that is spring training should be discounted. Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd thinks Marquis hasn’t reached his potential. He’s only 30 but after reaching double digits in wins each of the past five seasons, is there more of an upside?
No. 4 starter Jorge De La Rosa has been both good and bad this spring. Will he pitch the way he did the final month of last season when he was so good, so consistent? And what happens to the rotation if he doesn’t?
The Rockies have seen promise this spring from Franklin Morales and Greg Smith, both of whom could, one, start the season in the minors because there’s no need for a fifth starter until April 21 and, two, be in the rotation before the season ends. Greg Reynolds and Jason Hirsh could contribute at some point, but those are maybes.
The Rockies went into the 2008 season with a rotation that included Mark Redman and two rather unproven young pitchers in Jimenez and Morales. There’s more depth this year — and that’s good in the wake of Jeff Francis’ likely season-ending shoulder injury — but is the rotation going to be an asset or a big cause for concern?
Last year the Rockies talked about contending again but ended up wasting far too many starts on the likes of de los Santos and Redman. I agree that there is more depth here and I’m confident that overall the starting pitching will be better. But for this to be truly a imposing rotation a lot of things will have to go right.
I think the rotation, in order, should be: Cook, Jiminez, Morales, Marquis, Smith. This is an attempt to split the LHP, not make Morales the #3 pitcher. I think De La Rosa is a total headcase and they are better of putting him on waivers. If someone claims him and wants to pay him $2 million, then fine. If not, send him to CS and give him one last chance.
wow, I see the “fans” that post at the RMN and DP sites followed you all here.
JDLR is an inconsistent pitcher. BUT if you look at his numbers from last year they were #3 (or better) type numbers. There is no team that wouldn’t love to have a #3 pitcher that has a K/9 inning ratio in the mid 7’s!
I’ll have you look at this for an in-depth break down of his numbers:
http://www.purplerow.com/2009/2/11/755769/breaking-down-the-rotation
Jason Marquis has very solid career numbers and is a good Sinkerball pitcher, which I personally fill is the best type of pitcher for Coors Field.
Morales just 2 years ago was the Rockies #1 pitching prospect, and a top 10 in all of baseball. He’s also still very young, and all reports are his velocity is back in the 92-94 range which is impressive for a lefty.
Hirsh worries me. His injury was bad last year, and his velocity is way down. Will it recover this year?
Reynolds stuff is very average to below average, with no out pitch. He’s working on a cutter…hope that helps.
Chacin is going to be a super-star. Now…I hope he’s not rushed.
In other words…our rotation is fine. GREAT? no..and never will be. But it’s good enough to win the NL West. In fact, besides SF, I think the Rockies have the 2nd best rotation in the NL West.
I would agree with your assessment of “good enough” but say good enough to compete in the NL West but not necessarily win it. And you summed up De La Rosa perfectly by calling him “inconsistent.” No one questions the stuff as much; the question is whether the mystery of what he’ll do from one start to the next will ever vanish. It certainly seems possible when you look at his starts from Aug. 15 through the end of last season.
Marquis’ sinker and history at Coors Field will help him. Maybe he’ll be less stubborn than he has in the past. In this rotation, he could be slotted as the No. 3, which isn’t in keeping with his history. But this is his free agent year, so he’ll have every reason to succeed.
If Morales can return to his 2007 form and then build upon it, a lot of questions about this rotation are going to vanish in a hurry. If he can maintain his focus and attention, it will help keep his delivery and, hence, his command in check. The stuff has never been in question. What will help Morales a lot is having Jim Wright around, assuming, of course, Morales is not at Triple-A.
Well, having JDLR being inconsistent was a major improvement over his career record. He was always regarded as having great stuff. A lefty that can throw in the mid-90’s is pretty rare, and valued. But the Brewers, D-Backs, and Royals, all gave up on him. But over-all, his numbers in 08 matched up to almost any #3 pitcher. If you see a regression to his old form, then that’s not good for the rotation. If you think he could be 08 version of inconsistent…then I think the Rotation is fine.
I assume Morales and Greg Smith will start the season in the minors as the Rockies won’t need a 5th starter for several weeks. I fully expect Morales to be the #5. I’m afraid he is JDLR #2. Great stuff, great potential, inconsistent, throws too hard and too high in the zone…loses the strike zone at times. So far this spring he’s been “effectively wild”
Personally Greg Smith is a big unknown. He seems to be a soft throwing lefty (Which too me is the worst kind of pitcher for Coors Field, if a sinker-baller is the best). But with control, which he’s shown in Tucson, he could be a solid #5.
Redhawk, I’m sure you can make valid points without being so condesending. All Rockies “fans” have a point of view. You have to give alot of credit to the organization for sticking with DeLaRosa and trying to help him work on his emotions. I suppose the other clubs didn’t have the patience for that. He does have good stuff, but I’m afraid without consistency he will eventually wear out the Rockies patience also. Oh, by the way, I read the PR almost daily, great information on that site.
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