SB Nation User Blog: RockyMtnRedbird

Jimmy "Ballgame" in left?

RockyMtnRedbird — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:05:03 -0000

Let's say that Holliday gets traded this offseason, as many expect to happen, what's your thoughts on the Rockies signing Jim Edmonds to a one or two year deal. I know he's injury prone, and clearly on the downswing of his career, but they wouldn't need him to play everyday.

The guy has absolutely crushed the ball here throughout his career. My calculations for his career Coors field numbers, in 120 plate appearances: .316/.425/.724. That's an OPS of 1.149.

I've got to imagine that he could be had for less than $5 million/year. His wheels most likely aren't good enough to man center at Coors, but I think he'd do fine in left. A platoon with Spillborghs, Fowler, Smith and Edmonds could be pretty effective between LF and CF. I guess the downside would be one more left-handed bat to factor into the mix.

Thoughts?

Reynolds goes on DL

RockyMtnRedbird — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 22:58:26 -0000

This is not good news. He goes on the DL with a shoulder impingement

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/jul/26/rockies-reynolds-dl/

First an arthroscopic "clean-up" last year and now this. You never want to see a pitcher starting his first couple seasons in the organization with repeat shoulder issues, especially, when he's the #2 overall pick in the draft.

And to think, Tim Lincecum was there for the taking.

Major Deal w/ Cards in the works?

RockyMtnRedbird — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 14:54:05 -0000

I don't know the likelyhood of this, but may be fun to discuss.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/41107-cardinals-and-rockies-potential-trade-partners

The Rox would be getting some decent prospects. Anderson could easily be flipped elsewhere for decent value. And if they could get McClellan, he would be rotation ready by next year. Yet, I have a hard time believing that the Cards would part with two of their top pitching prospects, especially McClellan, who they've been grooming in the pen this year.

Plus Reyes just went a different direction, and I don't understand why the Rockies would have any interest in Shane Robinson.

05 Draft Class

RockyMtnRedbird — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:47:29 -0000

Again, I hope people don't mind me sharing, as I catch up. I'm sure many who read this blog have followed some of these players for some time now. That's part of the reason for the posts. I actually am interested to hear others thoughts and opinions on these players. It will help to expand on what I am finding mainly in stats.

With the #7 pick In the 2005 MLB draft, the Colorado Rockies select Troy Tulowitzki.

2005 Draftees through first 5 Rounds

1st (7) Troy Tulowitzki – SS: I think we all know “Tulo”.

SuppA (132) Chaz Roe - RHP: Chaz, a 6-5 right-hander, was selected out of HS, so he’s still only 21 years old. He’s been on Baseball America’s “Top Ten Prospects” list for the Rockies each of the last 3 years (#10 for 2008). He made the jump from Modesto to Tulsa earlier this summer with mixed results. He was named Texas League Pitcher of the Week after a 3-hit, complete game shutout against Arkansas on July 11th.

2008 Tulsa (9 GS) - 3-1, 58.1 IP, 4.78 ERA, 33 K/21 BB

2008 Modesto (3 GS) - 2-1, 19.2 IP, 5.49 ERA, 16 K/3 BB

2007 Modesto (29 GS) - 7-11, 170.1 IP, 4.33 ERA, 131 K/73 BB

2nd (52) Daniel Carte – OF: There doesn’t seem to be a whole lot to get excited about with regards to Carte. While his OPS advanced with each promotion from 05 – 07 (Tri-City .678, Asheville .765, Modesto .802), it’s down this year at Tulsa. He’s striking out over 25% of the time, with limited power. And at 24, I can’t imagine that the power is going to suddenly appear.

2008 Tulsa (85 games) - .269/.324/.377 (7 HR, 41 RBI, 89/21 K/BB)

2007 Modesto (111 games) - .283/.317/.487 (14 HR, 71 RBI 130/13 K/BB)

2nd (55) Zach Simons – RHP: No longer in organization (Traded 4/30/08 for Jason Grilli)

2007 Asheville (69.2 IP, all in relief) - 8-2, 4.52 ERA

3rd (87) Kyle Hancock – RHP: Made news after being drafted by walking away from his $460k signing bonus w/o ever throwing a pitch for the Rockies organization. (And ruined his college eligibility in the process.)

4th (117) Drandon Durden – LHP: After making 26 starts last year, it would appear that Durden’s been moved to the pen in his second season at Modesto.

2008 Modesto (21 G, 2 GS) – 2-0, 45 IP, 5.60 ERA, .288 BA against

2007 Modesto (26 GS) – 8-9, 157 IP, 4.70 ERA, 93/42 K/BB, .279 BA against

5th (147) Joshua Sullivan – RHP: Sullivan would probably be at Modesto this year (and may yet be) if it weren’t for an injury to an elbow nerve. Currently he’s rehabbing in short-season A ball (Tri-City). But at age 24 already, time doesn’t seem to be in his favor.

2008 Tri-City (3 GS) – 0-1, 10.2 IP, 8/5 K/BB, .286 BA against

2007 Asheville (13 G, 9 GS) – 3-2, 49.2 IP, 3.26 ERA, 45/25 K/BB, .223 BA against

Later Draftees of Note

6th (177) Corey Wimberly – 2B, Age 24: Corey would seem to be a top of the order guy. If he can continue to improve on his OBP (which he has done in his second season in Tulsa), there may be a spot at the top of the order for some MLB team. If he gets on, look out, because the dude can steal some bases (83 for 103 in the last 2 years).

2008 Tulsa (87 games) - .291/.358/.342 (53 R, 47 SB, 38/26 K/BB)

2007 Tulsa (92 games) - .268/.323/.348 (63 R, 36 SB, 52/19 K/BB)

What's on the Farm? '04 Draft Class

RockyMtnRedbird — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:25:32 -0000

I decided some time ago that I wanted to get to know the Rockies farm system better. I'm really enjoying the research, and I thought others might enjoy seeing what I find. Please feel free to give your comments and initiate discussion (or just tell me to "go away").

With Chris Iannetta having a breakout year and Dexter Fowler expected to be patrolling center for the Rockies possibly in the next year, why not start with the 2004 first-year player draft. (All stats are through 7/23/08)

2004 Draftees through first 5 Rounds

1st (9) Chris Nelson – SS: Nelson was drafted out of high school, and so at just 22, the Rockies continue to be patient with him (It doesn’t hurt also, that they don’t really have any place to play him). After a breakout year with High-A Modesto last year, he hasn’t translated that into success at Tulsa this year. I believe he is currently rehabbing a broken wrist, back in Modesto.

2008 Modesto (3 games) – 3 hits in 9 AB, 1 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 3 K

2008 Tulsa (44 games) - .229/.298/.349 (10 2B, 3 HR, 22 RBI, 37/17 K/BB)

2007 Modesto (133 games) - .289/.358/.503 (42 2B, 7 3B, 19 HR, 99 RBI)

2nd (50) Seth Smith – OF: Seth seems to be ready for “The Show”. The Rockies just don’t have any room to give him consistent playing time. When with the Skysox, he just continues to rake, waiting for the next call-up.

2008 CoSprgs (68 games) - .323/.426/.524 (10 HR, 53 RBI, 46/46 K/BB, 11 SB)

2007 CoSprgs (129 games) - .317/.381/.528 (32 2B, 17 HR, 82 RBI)

3rd (80) Steven Register – RHP: Register is currently the closer for the SkySox. He had been taken by the Mets over this past winter’s Rule 5 draft, but when the Mets decided prior to the season even starting that they wouldn’t be able to keep him with the big club, the Rockies gladly took him back. After saving 37 games in Tulsa last year, he seems to have transitioned to AAA quite nicely.

2008 CoSprgs (43 games) – 5-1, 44 IP, 15 SV, 41/18 K/BB, .235 BA against

2007 Tulsa (60 games) – 1-3, 58 IP, 37 SV, 48/16 K/BB, .279 BA against

4th (110) Chris Ianetta – C: Having a breakout year with the Rockies. Hopefully, he’s there for years to come.

2008 Rockies (57 games) - .277/.377/.429 (13 2B, 10 HR, 40 RBI)

5th (140) Matt Macri – 3b: Traded 8/15/07 to the Twins for Ramon Ortiz.

2007 CoSprgs (3 games) – In 9 AB prior to trade, he hit 2 doubles and 1 HR

2007 Tulsa (79 games) - .298/.349/.502 (11 HR, 33 RBI, 58 K)

Later Draftees of Note

6th (170) Joe Koshansky – 1b: Like Seth Smith, there’s not much more for Joe to prove in “The Springs”. Unfortunately, the Rockies just don’t have room for him right now. I doubt that Joe would mind a trade.

2008 CoSprgs (84 games) - .277/.357/.557 (18 HR, 78 RBI, 111 K)

2007 CoSprgs (136 games) - .295/.380/.490 (21 HR, 99 RBI, 128 K)

13th (380) Matt Miller – OF: Matt Miller seems to have figured out AA pitching, and really needs to be promoted. I’d have to guess that the organization’s gluttony of corner outfielders is preventing the move.

2008 Tulsa (100 games) - .352/.415/.486 (10 HR, 85 RBI, 43/41 K/BB)

2007 Tulsa (126 games) - .262/.337/.395 (11 HR, 61 RBI, 69/42 K/BB)

14th (410) Dexter Fowler – OF: Fowler is the Rockies center-fielder of the future. Drafted out of HS, he is only 22 years old. Baseball America currently ranks him the Rockies #3 prospect, even though two years ago, he was not in the top 10. And Rotoworld, just this week, ranked him 24th in all the minors in their “Midseason Top 150 Prospects” article. There’s a chance that Fowler could be patrolling center field at Coors next year.

2008 Tulsa (98 games) - .332/.429/.505 (25 2B, 9 HR, 59 RBI, 79/61 K/BB, 18 SB)

2007 Modesto (65 games) - .273/.397/.367 – Missed latter part of season due to fractured hand