Talking Stick to Make Impact in April?
In Dave Krieger’s column today he quoted Charlie Monfort saying the following regarding how the new spring training facilty may help the Rockies start the season stronger than in the past.
“I also think it will help that we’re in Scottsdale for spring training. We don’t have to travel as much. We get all the top quality players coming to our place to play. Down in Tucson, we’d see the Double-A guys, the Triple-A guys. But now that you get to see the front-liners, I think we come out of the chute a little bit more prepared.”
Will that really make that much of a difference in how prepared the Rockies are to play in April?
I wondered the exact same thing reading that this morning. I tend to believe that the inconsistent weather in Colorado in April and May has as much effect, but certainly seeing mostly minor-leaguers in spring training doesn’t help the team get fully ready.
It shouldn’t but it will.
I hope so!
I think the point Mr. Monfort is trying to make is pretty straight forward. When the end of spring training nears, teams that would be reluctant to travel the 25 man roster guys and could send guys heading back to AA or AAA. The Rockies might not get the same quality at bats facing AA pitchers vs guys they will be facing during the season.
Taking travel out of the equation lessens the chance of that happening.