Rockies farm roundup: Matzek’s control issues continue
Triple-A Colorado Springs (W, 6-5 vs. Las Vegas, box)
The Sky Sox scored three runs in the seventh inning with a pair of sacrifice flies and an RBI double from Charlie Blackmon to come back from a rough day in the field that included five errors. First baseman Mike Jacobs was 2-for-4 with two RBI. Designated hitter Josh Fields, center fielder Eric Young Jr. and Ian Stewart also drove in runs. Andrew Johnston picked up his third save.
Double-A Tulsa (Postponed)
High Class-A Modesto (L, 6-4 at San Jose, box)
Starting pitcher Tyler Matzek allowed six runs on four hits and eight walks in two innings. Matzek, who was coming off his best outing, a four-inning start in which he allowed one run and two walks, drops to 0-2 with a 10.22 ERA. Reliever Leuris Gomez allowed two hit and struck out six in four shutout innings. First baseman Mike Zuanich was 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored.
Low Class-A Asheville (W, 12-3 at Rome, box)
Starting pitcher Albert Campos returned after missing a start with a wrist injury and allowed three runs in six innings to pick up his second win. Campos allowed 10 hits but walked no one, and in 19 innings he has allowed just one walk. Catcher Bryce Massanari hit his seventh home run and drove in five runs. Right fielder Kyle Parker was 2-for-4 with a double, three RBI and a stolen base. Shortstop Cristhian Adames was 4-for-4 with his first home run and four RBI. In his past three games, Adames is 8-for-13 and raised his batting average from from .115 to .282.
I apologize for repeating this but Tyler Matzek, for his great left arm and slobbering scouting reports is not going to stick in the major leagues. He might get promoted undeservedly but he’s not going to make it with a near total lack of control. Walk two or three an inning in the bigs and you give up big innings and are out of a job. Matzek is a mess now. He might be able to be healed but he might be another stud arm who could never harness his stuff.
He’s just 20, so it’s way too early to say he’s never going to make it. He has a long way to go though.
Agreed, at but 20, he’s still young enough to change Steve but he walked a ton of hitters per nine last season and it’s sadly much worse in the early going this season. Matzek looks the part and has tools but so did Derrick Gibson (big power hitting prospect from yesteryear), Robbie Beckett and many other hard throwers from years past.
Anybody know why Matt Daley was ejected from the Sky Sox’ game?
Just because a kid signs a big bonus doesn’t guarantee a trip to the big leagues.
Where is Jason Van Kooten these days? Anyone know?
Jason Van Kooten is out of baseball after last year, I think. In case your question was not rhetorical.
I thought that someone said earlier this year on this site that Van Kooten is in extended spring training learning to be an outfielder.
Unless something has happened in the past couple weeks, Van Kooten is in extended spring training.
Michael, I think you are being waaay too quick on the draw on this kid. There was a reason why every big league scout raved about him – and I am sorry, they know a whole lot about baseball than you and I will ever know. Yes, something, be it mechanics, confidence, or the like has gone terribly wrong. But again remember he is only 20. At 20 Ubaldo was a skinny kid not yet in the mid 90s. A lot changes. My biggest concern is that he seem alittle uncoachable (from the news reports). He needs to listen. He has a great arm, but he has to learn to be a pitcher. Then again…at 20 I was an arrogant toerag as well. Do not write off this kid that quickly. The organization has the ability to make things happen. Lets see if this happens.
Daley was ejected for arguing a call at the plate.
Is Matzek that much different than Ubaldo, Morales, and Rogers at such a young age? They all were pretty wild, and still are.
Sorry about Van Kooten, I didn’t mean to spread mis-information. Isn’t he late 20′s? Kinda late to be learning a new position, but best wishes to him, hope he makes it.
I think that Sandy Koufax was pretty wild as a young pitcher too.
A little perspective, please. Randy Johnson in A ball at the age of 22: 8.2 walks per 9 innings. Matzek is very unlikely to be the second coming of RJ, but he is 2 years younger than RJ was at that level, and he was promoted pretty aggressively by the Rockies. Time will tell, but if his arm is still fine, he’s still a very valuable prospect.
I recall during spring training that the Rox staff was split as to wether to send Matzek to Ashville or Modesto. Perhaps in hindsight they should send him back to extended ST for some refinement.
It’s the minor leagues for a reason – you’re not yet ready for prime time. You are there to learn and as Ben Franklin said, “those things that hurt, instruct.” The young man is blessed with an incredible physical gift. The mind game and physical discipline needed to reach higher levels is what Tyler has to develop. There is a big difference between pitching and throwing a baseball. Learning to change speeds, locations and pitches is what turns raw talent into a major league caliber talent. Throwing strikes doesn’t hurt either. Give him a season in Modesto and then let’s evaluate him. Having said that, the ability to throw a baseball with his velocity is rare indeed.
Agbayani, great illustration (especially with the LHP angle). I am sure there were lots of guys like Michael anticipating getting checked out at Safeway by Randy. Guys do eventually learn. For RJ it was Nolan Ryan (I hear before his dad died and he had a spiritual awakening he was very stubborn), who knows who it will be for Matzek. 20 years old is a long way from finished. Julian, you are right on Koulfax as well. I recall the story was he had to pitch a full game in Spring Training and so finally stopped trying to do max effort on every pitch (that ST game I think he was throwing a no-hitter late in the game…and that season he became THE Sand Koulfax). Sure Tyler may be the next bust. But if he is open (and a few more nights like Monday and he will be very open), the future is big for this kids. Its all in there. Just needs to be tapped. I wonder if Nolan Ryan is busy?
Doctor_Christopher, funny, funny line about Safeway and waiting to get checked out by RJ. It’s great everyone is naming guys like RJ and Koufax, Hall of Famers, instead of guys like Robbie Beckett, another superlative arm who never could throw strikes. Last season, Matzek was a riddle to hitters but still walked way too many batters. Usually when I see an astronomical ERA and walks I first think “he’s hurt” and despite player and team denials, that’s usually what it turns out be. Yet, with Matzek not being hurt, and being so much worse than last year, with his talent level, I wonder, what’s going on, is it mechanics or mechanics and now his head?
I think they need to tear everything down with him and start anew, as well as give him some tape to watch, like of RJ or Steve Carlton or any productive lefty. He’s a terrible mess now. Maybe skip some starts and work with him for a while. The Rockies need his potential realized. One more no. 1 or 2 starter on that staff would change the possibilities of the franchise.
God knows the Rockies have had enough early round failures this decade. To declare one thats only 20 years old a bust is way premature. This guy has 4-5 years before we need to make that declaration. Just look at how long Reynolds has been toiling.