August 18, 2008 1:23 AM
Rockies look ahead
The word in the clubhouse is that the post-season hope isn't over until the ``x'' is placed next to Rockies in the standings.
And after last year nobody is going to get in too big of an argument with the Rockies about that. Bottom line, however, is even the Rockies know they have some long-range deicsions that need to be made, and they have taken steps in that direction.
First they brought up Ian Stewart, inserted him at third base, and have been watching Stewart show that he has the bat to be here. He can either be the third baseman or left fielder next year, depending on what happens with Garrett Atkins and Matt Holliday. What Stewart has done is driven home the fact he can hit left-handers, which is supported by his history in the minor leagues. He is 13-for-28 against lefties in the big leagues this year with three home runs.
Now they find out if Jorge De La Rosa can turn the corner and become a consistent starter. They know he can be a set up man in the bullpen, but with a lefty who throws in the mid-90s and has an excellent slider, the idea of being able to start him is intriguing.
The numbers do send mixed signals. In 87 2/3 innings he has walked 45, but he also ahd struck out 95. The Rockies, though, feel De La Rosa is turning the corner. And the results seem to agree. He is 3-1 in his last five starts and the Rockies are 4-1. He did allow seven earned runs in 1 2/3 innings at Florida in the loss. In the four other starts, however, he has given up seven runs in 25 2/3 innings. He has had a quality start in each of the four, giving up three runs only once.
The odd man out for now is lefty Glendon Rusch, who has been a steady starter. Rusch, however, could get another shot if Livan Hernandez doesn't show more consistent ability to get outs. But then September is getting close, and rosters will expand, and the Rockies are going to need to get a glimpse at what has transpired at Triple-A Colorado Springs this season with LHP Franklin Morales and RHP Jason Hirsh.
August 18, 2008
4:55 PM
Geoff Coe writes:
Would September also bring an opportunity to look at Dexter Fowler? He's really hot in Tulsa (.447 over the last 10 games), and for the season has an OBP about 100 points higher than Willy Tavares'. It would be intriguing to get a month-long look at him, even on a platoon basis.