Spring countdown discussion: Third base
The Colorado Rockies once had such a glut of young third basemen that they tried to shift a couple to a new position and then had a glut of backup second basemen. Now, all but one of those third base prospects are gone and the one still standing owns the job the Rockies have waited years for him to claim.
Who’s starting: Ian Stewart hit just .228 and struck out too often in 2009. But he took the starting third base job away from Garrett Atkins early in the season and showed enough of what the Rockies saw when they drafted him in the first round out of high school in 2003 that he kept the job most of the season. Defensively, Stewart was a significant upgrade over Atkins and was at times good enough that ESPN actually noticed. Despite his occasional offensive struggles brought on by a big, looping swing — he gave way to Atkins against left-handers more often late in the season and was stuck on the bench for most of the postseason against the lefty-heavy Phillies. — the decision to non-tender Atkins this offseason was an easy one. With a full season in the major leagues finally behind him, Stewart should improve in 2010.
Who’s backing up: Still, the Rockies wanted right-handed insurance on the bench behind Stewart. After shopping patiently all offseason, they finally settled on former Orioles third baseman Melvin Mora. Clint Barmes also has experience at third base and could see some time if he’s pushed into a utility role.
Who’s in the picture: With Stewart locked in at third, Atkins gone and Jeff Baker traded to Chicago, the third base glut is gone. Christian Colonel is gone, leaving Kenny Perez, a 28-year-old career minor-leaguer likely next in line in case of emergency early in the season. The Rockies making another move before the start of the season for more insurance is not out of the question.
Who’s in the future: The Rockies have few promising prospects among position players at the higher levels of their system, but one of the few happens to play third base. Darin Holcomb, a 12th-round pick in 2007, got off to a slow start last season at Double-A Tulsa but came on late in the season to finish at .271 with 13 home runs and 52 RBI while walking more than he struck out (54 to 50). He then represented the Rockies in the Arizona Fall League. The Rockies like Holcomb, but how serious a prospect he is remains to be seen. He’s at least a good candidate to be a reserve corner infielder. Much lower in the system is 2009 second-rounder Nolan Arenado, who could move fast for a draftee out of high school.
Discuss: Stewart, like Barmes and Chris Iannetta, struggled for much of the second half of 2009. But unlike second base and catcher, there was no debate about who be starting at third base for the Rockies this season. It seems all we have to debate is our own expectations. Stewart finished last season at .228 with 25 home runs and 70 RBI. The Rockies certainly expect him to improve on those numbers, but what’s reasonable? Are we looking at a solid, everyday third baseman? Or is Stewart the next great Rockies slugger?
Coming Monday: Shortstop
remember when stewart hit one OVER the foul pole in right? He’s our guy, no question, for a long time. .300/30/100 is reasonable for him – maybe should be expected. a great glove with great balance and soft hands. WOW!
Christian Colonel signed as a minor league free agent with Boston in January. Other then Perez I haven’t seen anyother courner infielders signed for Springs. Even with his slow start last year would Holcomb start for the SkySox this year?
Stewart should improve on last year….and along with Ianetta should help solidify the bottom part of the lineup. Hopefully in the next year of two Stewart can climb into the top part of the order. He’s got oodles of power and can hopefully become a .300 hitter in a few years.
The left side of the infield is hopefully set for the next 10 years.
I doubt Stewart will ever reach .300. He’s shown too little patience, his swing is WAY to long, and his pitch recognition is almost laughable. BUT, with all that he’s shown flashes of being a great hitter. .270 with 30 to 35 hrs is very do-able, and very solid player. Cut down on the K’s, throw in a few walks, and he’s close to being an all-star. Though I think he will always K more than we fans would like.
Stewart, among all the players on the Rockies line-up is key for 2010 success. He has to improve, and he has to do it this year if the Rockies want to win the NL West. Another year like last year, and the Rockies will have to start thinking about alternatives at third for 2011.
How about 250/30/90 for this season from Stewart. That should be very doable especially if Mora takes a few at bats against the power lefties. While I wish DanO had done things somewhat differently with both catcher and second base – I have no problem handing the regular third base job to Stewart, and Mora is an affordable and adequate backup.
Ya’ll know me, I love defense. And Ian’s defense has a ‘WOW’ factor to it many occasions.
And I agree with Redhawk, now that he has a year of experience in the big league I think he can easily hit .270 with some power, with .300 might be asking for a little too much. HOwever, if he can learn to shorten his swing a little, especially when he has two strikes, the way Dante Bichette used to, then we definitely have a great player over at third.
But at the least he will be a solid 3B for many years to come.
Redhawk, you are right on. If I was a pitching coach I’d have my guys throw nothing but breaking pitches and pull the string on fastballs. Not only doesn’t he recognize the breaking pitch, but when he does he doesn’t adjust to it.
That being said, I love his defense and he does have the potential offensively. I hope someone can get him to shorten that swing, because if he ever gets it, watch out he’ll be a good one.
Still wish they had gone after Adam Kennedy to push Barmes at 2nd and have Barmes be the 3rd base alt. Oh well, welcome Melvin.
You’re right, I totally missed Colonel signing with the Red Sox. I corrected the post, but the point remains more or less the same: the Rockies have no strong major-league ready backup solutions. I would expect Holcomb to be at Triple-A to start the season. The question is whether the time in the AFL gave him enough experience that he could be in the picture for the Rockies this season in a pinch.
Sometimes I think people forget that players can really blossom in their careers. I think Stewart (and Iannetta) each have that potential. Barmes may be past that chance; I think you have to look at their respective ages. Stewart is only 24 years old right now (25 in April). Iannetta is 26 going on 27. Not every great player showed all his promise at the earliest of ages. They all learn and adapt as they go on. Barmes is going to be 31 this season, I think we know his potential.
I believe that Stewart will be something special in the league. He’s had flashes of brilliance at the plate (even being dominate against lefties for awhile). And, as everyone has noted, his defense is superb.
Stewart’s gonna be a star.
To me, it isn’t a question of if but when. Hopefully sooner than later.
In his latest piece about some minor league contracts, Jack shaded in some details about Holcomb, Colonel and others we’ve talked in previous posts like Ryan Harvey and Scott Beerer.
I’m going on record to predict that Stew “breaks out” this year. .275/25/90.
IF Iannetta has just a SMALL improvement from last year and Barmes gains a little more consistency(I know, IF) the Rockies walk away with the NL West title.
I’ve got a bet with a buddy that says the Rox win the West by 4 games or more. We’ll see.
This will be Caber’s year if he is consistently in the lineup.
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