The Colorado Rockies announced their first roster moves of the spring, sending 16 players to their minor league camp including prospects Christian Friedrich and Hector Gomez.

Since spring training began, Colorado Rockies manager Jim Tracy has stressed the importance of players paying attention to details in every drill. Friday, before the first full squad workout, he made that point again in his speech to the team.

Twelve pitchers, including just one with big league experience, will combine to pitch eight innings Monday for two teams in a Colorado Rockies an eight-inning game that will also feature young position players.

The Colorado Rockies farm system placed three prospects — all pitchers — on Baseball America’s annual Top 100 prospects list including last year’s No. 1 pick Tyler Matzek, who has yet to throw a regular-season pitch in the organization.

The Colorado Rockies enter 2010 with a bullpen that, like the team’s starting rotation, could be the most stable in franchise history. The late-innings trio returns intact while the rest of the bullpen will be comprised of 2009 holdovers, veterans returning from injuries and a pack of young arms trying to find a way to stick in the major leagues.

Five starting pitchers accounted for 155 of the Colorado Rockies’ 162 starts in 2009, unheard of stability for a franchise whose pitching staff at times has been one of baseball’s most tired jokes. The Rockies likely will see one change in their starting rotation in 2010, and that to welcome back an old friend.

Left-hander one of six non-roster prospects who will participate in first major-league camp.

In departure from past years, five left-handed pitchers among Colorado Rockies top 30 prospects, led by top draft picks Tyler Matzek and Christian Friedrich.

Left-hander Rex Brothers, a supplemental first-round pick in June, makes his debut at low Class A Asheville after promotion from short-season Class A Tri-City

Colorado Rockies pitching prospect Christian Friedrich, the team’s 2008 first-round pick, struck out 10 batters Wednesday for high Class-A Modesto. It was his third consecutive start with at least 10 strikeouts. He allowed three hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings.

Left-handed pitching prospect’s workload increases

Christian Friedrich, the Colorado Rockies’ 2008 first-round pick, struck out 11 batters for high Class-A Modesto on Thursday night, the second consecutive game he did so.