Rockies offseason review: Third base
As the spring training reporting date for pitchers and catchers nears, we take a look back at what we thought would happen this offseason and compare it to where the Colorado Rockies stand now. Today: third base. (Earlier offseason reviews: Catcher | 1B | 2B)
WHAT WE SAID THEN
Oct. 12, 2010: If Stewart had returned from his injury in September with the Rockies still in the pennant race, he would not have been handed his job. Mora had claimed it for the time being by producing good at-bats on a regular basis and generally making life difficult for opposing pitchers. That said, the Rockies have invested a lot of time and effort into developing Stewart, who at times shows glimpses of the tremendous power that could make him one of the most feared hitters in the league if he could harness his swing. The third-base job is likely his with Herrera or someone like Mora, Iannetta or a free agent like Ty Wigginton backing up him as well as Todd Helton at first base.
WHAT HAPPENED
The Rockies did add Wigginton to do exactly what was expected, back up Stewart and third and Helton at first base. The team also added a number of players on minor-league contracts — Joe Crede, Eric Duncan and Matt Macri — to provide insurance more than competition for Stewart.
WHAT WE SAY NOW
No one on the Rockies roster has more to prove in 2011 than Stewart, who hit .256 with 18 home runs and 61 RBI in 2010 and is arbitration eligible for the first time as a Super Two player. Even the pressure Chris Iannetta, who arguably had a more disappointing season in 2010 than Stewart, is somewhat lessened by the fact that the Rockies have two promising catching prospects close to the majors. Nolan Arenado, the top third base prospect in the system, is a long way from the majors and may not stay at third base. The time is now for Stewart, who the Rockies selected 10th overall in the 2003 draft and is still just 26 years old. Stewart got off to a strong start in 2009 by hitting .293 with four home runs in April, but for much of the season he struggled at the plate as pitchers got ahead in the count and started beating him inside on called strikes. As is the case with Iannetta, the Rockies hope Stewart will benefit from the presence of new hitting coach Carney Lansford, who worked with Stewart in the minors.
Wigginton will see time against left-handers. Lopez and Herrera also could see some time depending on how second base and the bench shake out.
SPRING TRAINING, 2012
The Rockies hope there will be no questions at third base in 2012. But if Stewart doesn’t make significant offensive progress in 2011, this position could be the source of plenty of intrigue next offseason.
I’m really rooting for Stewart. If he puts it together this season that will be a huge part of the puzzle.
Everyone would love having a big time power bat that plays a good hot corner for the next decade.
The guy has so much power I can’t imagine what kind of player he could be if he could handle his swing better especially on inside pitches. I don’t know how many times he got caught staring at one right on the inside corner. I think one of the most beneficial moves for not only this season but the future would be aquiring Michael Young. Young I believe is one of the most underated guys in baseball in the past 10 years and could provide great skill to the lineup as well as great mentoring to Stewart for the future.
Apparently the Rockies and Stewart have agreed to a deal to avoid arbitration. Multiple reports, but haven’t yet seen an announcement from the team.
Steve, I’m shocked he is not on twitter talking about it. I don’t twitter but I’m sure there are those on here that probably follow his twitter.
Nothing on MLB TV yet.
He hasn’t Twittered about it. His last post was about the TV show Survivor. lol
I’m rooting for him too, but I can’t help to think he was the one Tulo called out after the season saying failure to make the post-season was unacceptable and hopes some guys in the clubhouse don’t think the off season means taking as many vacations as possible…it means working and getting better. Judging from his tweets Stewart is a pretty fun loving guy, even inviting folks to play online video games with him sometimes. lol
He was the one I too thought of whether right or not that I thought Tulo was talking about. Hope Lansford has Stewart’s focus and heart into it this year. I would like to see something between his lack of emotion last year and Tulo’s high passion for the game. I think it would be good for him to show he has a pulse sometimes. it might not be who he is, but he has to produce this year or he won’t have lived up to his hype and his long home runs won’t outshine his long walks back to the dugout after watching fastballs down the inner half of of the plate. If he could step into 5 hole as a .280 hitter and Iannetta into 6 slot at .270, would really liven this lineup up a whole lot. His defense is top notch and he is a superb athlete, so I am rooting hard for him, but the team has others that can step in and perform if he can’t and I hope he sees that now in the offseason but proves doubters wrong and he proves he is who the scouts thought he could be and more.
I feel like a Cubs fan that this really could be the year, but with actual hope. They have pieces in place with talent and potential and have shown interest it seems in gathering pieces needed to have depth in case of injury or underperformance.
In the DP article, I read that Ian Stewart has changed his positioning at the plate. He will back off the plate so he wouldn’t be taking inside pitches anymore. Hopefully he doesn’t swing wildly at pitches off the plate.
Man, if this kid could put it all together, we’d have one of the most feared 3-4-5 in the majors. It’s hard to change somebody’s personality but it would be nice to see a little glimpse of fire in Stewart instead of the ho-hum, blow a bubble, attitude that has irked me since he showed up.
Agree with everyone. the kid shows very little interest in being there. that may or may not be true, but its the perception. his body language, his casualness around the field, even his HR celebration seems like something he’s bored of performing. oh and stop adjusting your junk all the time out there, just an observation. :)
That’s Stewart’s personality – very laid back except when he swings the bat. I’ve heard that those who know Stewart personally say that is the way he is. I used to wonder where the passion is, but now I know he swings a loud bat. If you are looking for signs of fire, just look to his highlight reel plays at 3B.
I’m cool with his laid back attitude. You wouldn’t be talking about this issue if he had better numbers. Proof is in the leather on his hands.
I think Ian is more of a Helton than a Tulo. He cares deeply (not bored or disinterested, just a SoCal kid). He just is a bit shy but still a heck of a ball player. Prediction: this year he will break out at .289 with 32 HRs.
Agree with RMH and C Thistle – his disposition certainly opens the door for us to question his fire but his whacks at the ball and the intensity in the field in undeniable.
As noted above, if he can correct course at the plate, this team gets dangerous.
When’s it going to be April 1st?
If we assume that Tulo is hitting cleanup, Stewart fifth, then the really big question is who is going protect Stewart’s backside in the sixth slot, so this kid can see some decent pitches other than just those on that inside edge?
On the flip side of that argument, Stewart also has to make quicker adjustments to what the pitchers are going to give him. The opposing pitchers are going to pound that inside edge until Stewart proves that he can make contact with it.
However the truth of the matter is that swing of his is too big and too long to ptotect the entire strike zone. Stewart has to make some significant hitting adjustments or the pitchers in the MLB are going to eat his lunch! Simply put, until he proves that he can hit that inside pitch – that’s all he is going to see – and most MLB pitchers (not named Morales) have that type of command with their pitches.
Maybe the start will be that Stewart will actually hit 7th and Helton if he has a good spring will hit 5th. That way less pressure is on him than we are already putting on him this offseason so he can transition into 5th spot if he earns it. I believe Iannetta has to hit 6th and Lopez or Herrera hit 8th.