Battle Lines Update: Spilborghs Set
A look at the position battles the Rockies have this spring:
Fifth Starter
With Greg Smith optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs on Monday, Franklin Morales emerged as the fifth starter.
Franklin Morales, left-hander | 2-2, 4.50 in six games.
Last game: Sunday, 7-6 loss to Athletics at Phoenix. Worked final five innings, giving up game-ending two-run home run with no out in ninth. Allowed only one hit and did not walk a batter in previous five innings.
Closer
Both players will make the roster, as either the closer of setup man.
1. Manny Corpas, right-hander | 0-0, 1.13 in eight games.
Last game: Friday, 8-3 win against Mariners at Peoria. Worked scoreless ninth, giving up one hit.
2. Huston Street, right-hander | 0-0, 5.23 in 11 games.
Last game: Monday, 10-3 victory against Diamondbacks at Hi Corbett Field. Street worked a scoreless ninth, his seventh scoreless appearance in his last eight games.
Bullpen
Out of options: Ryan Speier and Juan Morillo.
Signed to minor-league contract: Matt Belisle can opt out of minor-league assignment only if they get a job on an Opening Day roster.
1. Ryan Speier, right-hander | 1-0, 2.00 in eight games.
Last game: Thursday, 8-6 loss against Dodgers at Hi Corbett Field. Allowed one hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning, leaving him unscored upon in seven of eight big-league games this spring.
2. Juan Morillo, right-hander | 0-0, 3.55 in 12 games
Last game: Friday, 8-3 win against Mariners at Peoria. Worked a shutout inning, walking one, rebounding form giving up two runs in two of three previous appearances.
3. Matt Belisle, right-hander | 0-0, 1.08, 1 save, seven games.
Last game: Monday, 10-3 victory against Diamondbacks at Hi Corbett Field. Worked a shutout inning, issuing one walk.
Left Field
Options remaining: Seth Smith and Ian Stewart.
1. Seth Smith, left-handed hitter | .300, 16 games, six doubles, two triples, one home run and eight RBI
Last game: Saturday, 10-6 victory against Chicago Cubs at Hi Corbett Field. Started in left field and was 3-for-5 with an RBI, two runs scored, a double and a triple.
2. Ian Stewart, left-handed hitter |.294, four doubles, two triples, four home runs and 13 RBI in 20 games.
Last game: Monday, 10-3 victory against Diamondbacks at Hi Corbett Field. Struck out as a pinch-hitter in the eighth.
Centerfield
Ryan Spilborghs has reaffirmed his status as the starting center fielder.
1Ryan Spilborghs, right-handed hitter | .352, 18 RBI, five doubles, three triples, four home runs, six stolen bases, 17 games.
Last game: Monday, 10-3 victory against Diamondbacks at Hi Corbett Field. Started in center field and was 1-for-4 with a triple, run scored and two RBI.
Two Backup outfield spots
Options remaining: Dexter Fowler
Minor-league contract: Scott Podsednik (can opt out if not on Major League Opening Day roster) and Dan Ortmeier (cannot refuse assignment)
1. Dexter Fowler, switch-hitter | .311, 29 games.
Last game: Monday, 10-3 win against Diamondbacks at Hi Corbett Field. Grounded out as a pinch-hitter, and stayed in the game to play center field, drawing a walk in the eighth inning.
2. Dan Ortmeier, switch-hitter | .288, 26 games
Last game: Monday, 10-3 win against Diamondbacks at Hi Corbett Field. Entered game defensively in right field and went 1-for-2.
3. Scott Podsednik, left-handed hitter | .217, 19 games
Last game: Monday 10-3 victory against Diamondbacks at Hi Corbett Field. Started in left field and was 1-for-3 with three runs scored, an RBI and two walks.
Two Backup Infielders
Options remaining: Ian Stewart
Out of options: Omar Quintanilla and Jeff Baker
2. Ian Stewart, left-handed hitter |.294, four doubles, two triples, four home runs and 13 RBI in 20 games.
Last game: Monday, 10-3 victory against Diamondbacks at Hi Corbett Field. Struck out as a pinch-hitter in the eighth.
2. 2B-SS-3B Omar Quintanilla, left-handed hitter | .308, 21 games
Last game: Sunday, 7-6 loss to Athletics at Phoenix. Started at shortstop and was 2-for-4 with a run scored.
3. 1B-2B-3B-LF-RF Jeff Baker, right-handed hitter | .35143, 132 games
Last game:Monday, 10-3 victory against Diamondbacks. Entered game defensively at third base and went 1-for-2 with a run scored.
Tracy, first, i like Posednik because he can steal bases late in a close game, certainly can pinch hit although without much power, and has patience at the plate to draw walks. He can be a table setter in late innings as well. With the depth of outfielders, he can run for Hawpe, Spilborghs, and Smith, and for the less speedy position players, too.
As for our 2 LH starters, DeLaRosa and Morales, geez i wish i’d know which one will show up from start to start? Whenever they show consistent stuff, we could actually have a pitching staff to look forward to.
It still grates me that our ownership wouldn’t free up O’Dowd to make good economic pushes to sign RHP Jon Garland [quality and large innings eater] and LHP Joe Beimel [didn't allow any HRs last year for the Dodgers]. Signing either of them could have provided some depth in pitching. We’ve already lost Taylor Bucholtz [sp] for quite a while. We will really be hurting if any starter goes down since all of the AAA starting pitchers don’t look close to being effective if they have to be called up.
Also, if Matt Belisle starts the season in the minors, then is called up, can he be returned to the minors without him opting out?
Why would the Rockies start Fowlers clock to be a 4′th OF. I think since he hasn’t played in AAA and they aren’t competiting this season the smarter move would be AAA. But if they bring him up in spring it has to be to play everyday!!!!
Don, glad you are still reading.
I think what happens with Podsednik is you aren’t going to run for either Spilborghs or Smith. They are both sold runners. You might for Hawpe, but you ahve to be careful becasue you don’t want that bat out of the game.
Don’t feel you are the only one that owuld like to see some consistency from De La Rosa and Morales. I have more faith in Morales, but De La Rosa did put togehter a strong final six weeks last eyar.
On Garland, I’d check his last couple year.s Major declines in his efforts, which is why he floated. Beimel wasn’t interested in Rockies. Talked about multi-year deal at more than $2 million a year. That’s not an ownership decision. That’s a common sense decision, to me.
IUf Belisle is on the active roster he would have to be optioned to go to the minors.
In 1979 the Angels broke with Carney Lansford jumping from Double A to the bigs and backing up David Chalk at third base. By the end of April, Lansford was in the lineup.
Yeah I remember Mr. Chalk. I was in the Rangers system at the time and they signed him later that year and he could not hit. The guy had no power and was an average runner and a slightly above average fielder. The people in front of Fowler actually can hit.
PinchHit, I have to correct myself. Actually the decision with Lansford came in 1978. You are right, though, Chalk was traded to Texas in May of 1979 for Bert Campaneris.
The irony is Chalk was actually an All-Star in 1974 and 1975, and in 1977 he hit .277. In a statement of the futility of the Angels, Chalk actually hit cleanup some in 1976, but after that season Angels made a free-agent splurge and signed Baylor, Grich and Rudi.
If you were in the Rangers system at that time we have mutual friends (or maybe just know some people, not going to assume your relationship). Jeff Scott, Hal Keller and Joe Klein have been long-time friends.
Tracy, I’m a little surprised at your comment to me about Beimel being a common sense decision. In your article today about player’s salaries, Embree is getting $2.25 million and wouldn’t you agree that Beimel has been a more effective pitcher, plus he’s younger?
Don, two things that I was touching on:
1 — Beimel wanted a two-year deal at between $2 million and $3 million a year, reportedly.
2 — Beimel expressed no interest in talking with Rockies when they inquired.
Common sense tells me to move on given those situations.