Street Perfect for Sox
Rehabbing Rockies closer Huston Street was perfect for the Sky Sox in Friday night’s rehab appearance – his most recent step in recovering from a right shoulder injury. Throwing 12 pitches, eight for strikes, Street made quick work of the top of Reno’s order. Inducing weak groundouts from Doug Deeds and Cole Gillespie while striking out Drew Macias, the reliever looked very sharp.
The appearance was Street’s first of the year for the Sky Sox, and his first since suspending his rehabilitation after suffering a strained groin for Tulsa on May 15. Street also missed time last season with a biceps injury, absent for 18 games in September.
The start represents a significant step in Street returning to the Rockies’ bullpen – the pitcher had thrown to live batters on Wednesday as a precursor to today’s start. Street is expected to make at least three more appearances before being evaluated as to his next move.
Relieving Street was starter Esmil Rogers, who was recently sent down to make room for Franklin Morales. Rogers had been a pleasant surprise for the Rockies, throwing 19.2 IP with 14 strikeouts in his second taste of big league action. Rogers had begun the year on the Rockies’ Opening Day roster before being returned to the Sky Sox on April 19. Rogers was subsequently recalled on May 1, before being reassigned to the Sky Sox today.
Herrera Up, Fowler Down
Sent down from Denver, Dexter Fowler made his long awaited Sky
Sox debut on Monday - having skipped
over AAA on his way to the bigs in 2009.
Jonathan Herrera was called up to fill his roster spot,
providing depth to the Rockies’ struggling middle infield. With starting second
baseman Clint Barmes batting a paltry .219 and incumbent backup middle
infielder Melvin Mora homerless in 66 at-bats, the Rockies thought it was time
for a change – Herrera called upon to provide a boost. Having hit .286 with a
home run and 20 walks in 168 AAA at-bats, Herrera fueled the Sky Sox offense
from the leadoff spot.
He should be ready for the challenge.
Fowler, on the other hand, was sent down to work on his
swing – the toolsy outfielder having hit just .216 with one homer in 139
at-bats. Making the decision easier was the emergence of former Sky Sox outfielder
Seth Smith, who, while splitting time with Fowler, has hit .268 with eight
homers in 127 at-bats this season.
The addition of Fowler, though coming at the loss of
Herrera, has been a long time coming for Sox fans. This being the first time
Fowler will don a uniform at Security Service Field, Sox fans will finally get
to see the former top prospect in action. And, if his Monday debut was any
indication (4-for-4, 4R, HR, 3RBI, 2B, 2BB), Sox fans will love every minute of
it.
Still, the move is problematic for the Sox’ roster makeup.
Now with five outfielders all deserving of full-time at-bats (Fowler, Jay
Payton, Chris Frey, Cole Garner, Matt Miller), the logjam may make it difficult
for batters on the short end of the playing time stick to find their groove -
hurting their ability to produce for the team. In addition, the loss of Herrera
leaves the club without a backup middle infielder, leaving Chris Nelson and Kaz
Matsui to pick up the slack and tough it out on days where they would normally
rest.
Exciting as the acquisition is, manager Stu Cole has some
serious roster juggling awaiting him to ensure that all players receive plate
appearances and develop properly. Alleviating the problem somewhat are 17
consecutive games against American League affiliates following the conclusion
of the current series against Reno. The DH will be required in these matches,
freeing up more at-bats for the spare outfielders. Nevertheless, the club’s
lineup construction will be a very interesting discussion point over the next
couple weeks.
CoSox’ Durden Set to Make PCL and AAA Debut
Called up from Tulsa this morning, new Sky Sox lefty Brandon
Durden is set to make his AAA debut on Thursday against the Albuquerque
Isotopes.
A command specialist, the talented lefty comes off a
successful start to the season with the Drillers, having posted a 1-3 record with a 4.93 ERA.
This following up a stellar 2009 campaign that saw the hurler post a 3.46 ERA
in 101.1 innings with Tulsa, Durden seems primed to provide much-needed relief
to the Sky Sox’ revolving-door rotation.
Perhaps Durden’s best attribute is his stinginess with free
passes. Having walked just 54 batters in the last two seasons, the big lefty
has averaged just 1.98 walks per nine innings over that span – among the best
rates in the Rockies’ system.
Thursday’s start will surely be a significant test of Durden’s
meddle. Though the pitcher has more than enough talent to succeed against the
Isotopes’ lineup, Durden will be up against jitters and the elements in his
debut.
Facing off against one of the most righty-heavy lineups in
the league, he will also have to combat first-start nerves, a jump in talent to
unfamiliar AAA hitters, the high altitude, and an impending snow fall that will
be a stark climate contrast to the Tulsa environs with which he is familiar.
Either way, expect Durden to turn heads while with the CoSox
as a far more-than-adequate patch for the club’s beleaguered rotation.
Iannetta Huge for CoSox
Since being sent down from the Rockies on April 27, Chris
Iannetta has led the Sky Sox attack. In six games since his debut on April 29,
Iannetta has batted .320 (8-for-25) with two home runs, seven runs scored, and
six RBI. Hitting fifth in the lineup on most nights, he has also appeared at first
base and designated hitter.
For an offense that has struggled at times this season, Sox
fans can be confident that Iannetta will continue to produce while in the Sox
lineup – his hot hitting is no fluke.
2010 being the catcher’s fourth stint with the club, he has compiled
a .328 average with six homers and 35 RBI in 72 games in the Springs. In 2006,
his sole extended stay, Iannetta hit .351 with three homers in 151 at-bats.
Not too shabby for a catcher.
And it would be nothing short of foolish to consider
Iannetta damaged goods in light of his struggles at the Major League level.
Though he did struggle to hit line drives – doing so in just over ten percent
of his batted balls this season – his lowly .118 batting average on balls in
play (BABIP) was certain to rise considerably.
Most batters’ BABIP centers around .300 with Iannetta’s
career mark standing at .279. Whether the backstop had timing issues, trouble
seeing the ball, or just bad luck with the Rockies remains to be seen.
However, one thing is certain: Iannetta is a near-lock to
produce while with the Sky Sox and will likely be back in Denver before long.
Chacin Promoted, Iannetta Returns to the Springs
Chacin Promoted,
Iannetta Sent Down
Having taken the PCL by storm, heralded Sky Sox starter
Jhoulys Chacin was called up to the Rockies to fill the rotation slot of
injured Rox hurler Jorge de la Rosa.
With a 1.69 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 21.1 innings (8.86 K/9
rate), the Denver brass decided it was the right time to give Chacin and his
big changeup another go-round against MLB hitters.
While it remains to be seen how Chacin will perform this time
around in the big leagues, there is no question that the Sky Sox’ best pitcher
has the requisite talent.
In four starts this season, Chacin has allowed just four
earned runs – all coming in his second start against Portland. His three other
trips to the hill all resulted in shutout victories for the Sox.
But Chacin is much more than just a high-octane, strikeout
pitcher.
With a high groundball:flyball ratio of nearly two, the
hurler follows Denver’s model of success for young pitchers to a T – throw low
strikes, miss bats, and kill as many worms as possible.
In short, Chacin is looking every bit the ace the Sky Sox
thought they had to start the year.
Though he will be sorely missed in the Colorado Springs rotation,
the Sky Sox couldn’t be more excited to see another one of their talented
youngsters graduate to the big leagues — and continue on with what should be a
long, illustrious career.
Iannetta to the
Springs
Rockies starting catcher, Chris Iannetta, was sent down to
Colorado Springs on Tuesday after scuffling out of the gate to begin the
season. With just four hits in 30 at-bats (.133), Iannetta managed just a .235
OBP and .333 slugging percentage – a far cry from his 18 home runs and .264
average that made him one of the best young catchers in the National League during
the ’08 campaign.
With fellow backstop Miguel Olivo relieving pressure from
the team with his torrid start, the Rockies thought that now was the perfect time
to give Iannetta some AAA at-bats to get him back on track.
The stint will be Iannetta’s fourth with Colorado Springs,
as he had spent parts of 2006, 2007, and 2009 with the club. Between those
three partial seasons, Iannetta was able to hit .336 with five homers in 260
at-bats.
With his talent, Iannetta should provide an immediate boost
to the Sky Sox catching corps that has struggled out of the gate thus far.
Incumbent Sox catchers Michael McKenry and Paul Phillips have hit just
14-for-67 (.209) to date with just one home run and five RBI.
Perhaps the biggest question yet to be resolved will be the dispersal of playing time between McKenry and Iannetta. While Iannetta will get plenty of at-bats by order of the big club, the Rox would be remiss to sacrifice the playing time of their best catching prospect, McKenry.
Thankfully, the Sky Sox can fall back on manager Stu Cole’s expertise and guidance, which will be critical in the handling of this situation.
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Sky Sox closer Juan Rincon was promoted Tuesday
along with Chacin and Phillips. With five saves on the season, Rincon will
provide a boost to the Rox’ relief corps.
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To fill the rotation spot vacated by Jhoulys
Chacin, the Sox will call upon swing man Alan Johnson (0-0, 3.60). Allowing
just one earned run in his first two starts, Johnson is proving once again how
valuable a commodity he is – providing depth in the ‘pen while still a great
option to fill in for spot duty. Johnson finished second on the team in innings
pitched (143.0 IP) last season while tying with Brandon Hynick for first in
wins (10).
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Sox relievers Kurt Birkins and Matt Wilhite were
activated to fill Chacin’s and Rincon’s roster spots.
Sox Rotation Shaping Up While Deduno Just a Tweak Away
With the Sky Sox pitching staff performing at arguably the
highest level it has in the team’s history, the rotation just got a little stronger this past week as
starter Esmil Rogers was sent down to AAA after a successful two-week stint
with the big club.
Now, the Sky Sox may have the best rotation in the PCL.
With dueling aces Jhoulys Chacin (2-0, 2.25) and Rogers
(0-0, 0.00) heading up the rotation while MLB vet Tim Redding (0-0, 3.07) holds
down the third slot, there is little not to like about the staff. With fourth
and fifth starters Samuel Deduno (1-1, 3.07) and Chaz Roe (1-2, 5.40) standing
in as high upside options at the rotation’s back end, the team is prepped to it
kick it into high gear at any second.
Samuel Deduno, in particular, is an interesting case.
Drawing plenty of comparisons to Rockies’ ace Ubaldo Jimenez, Deduno’s primary
offering is a hard fastball with great
sink that allows him to generate very high groundball rates. In addition, much
like Jimenez, he has the stuff to strike out a batter an inning while keeping
the ball on the ground – the Rockies’ organizational prototype for success in
the thin mountain air.
And, even more exciting, Deduno remains just a tweak or two
away from becoming a bona fide Major League starter.
… because there is just so much to like about Deduno. With a
fastball sitting in the low 90s, a power curve, and a changeup, there is no
question that the raw stuff is there – evidenced by a 10.1 K/9 rate since the
pitcher graduated from the Dominican Summer League.
While he has continued to mow down hitters in the upper
minors with an 8.6 K/9 rate since debuting in AA during the ’07 season, the one
sticking point with Deduno has always been command. Possessing a 4.93 BB/9 rate
over that same time period, it becomes evident that the walks will have to come
down for Deduno to realize his sky-high potential.
But, as Jimenez’ career line suggests, there is no reason to
bet against the prospect.
Reaching AA in 2005, Jimenez pitched 377.2 innings between
Tulsa and Colorado Springs through 2007, struggling with his command the entire
way to the tune of a 4.99 BB/9 rate.
Despite the relative struggles – and with a few minor bumps
in the road – Jimenez has developed into the Rockies’ undisputed ace, posting a
3.80 ERA since his Rockies debut in ’06, including a 3.47 ERA in ’09 and
tolerable 3.5 BB/9 rate.
While Deduno still has a few adjustments to make before
realizing his potential, if there is anyone who is poised for a big breakout
this season, count Deduno among them.
And if he does, watch out for the Sky Sox five-headed rotation monster.
Chacin, Rogers, Redding, Deduno, and Roe?
Maybe a 2010 playoff run is in the cards for the Sox after all!
High Quality
The Sky Sox come into tonight’s game with the Portland Beavers riding not only a season-high, five-game winning streak but also a five-game quality start streak. Alan Johnson turned in a quality start yesterday afternoon despite not factoring into the decision after working seven solid innings and giving up just two runs on a second inning homer. In the past five games, the Sox starting pitchers are a combined 4-0 with a 0.83 ERA having giving up just three earned runs in 37.2 innings pitched. Adam Eaton, who has been very impressive in his three starts with the Sox, looks to keep the momentum going tonight against the Beavers in a matchup of right-handers as Matt Buschmann (3-8, 6.48 ERA) takes the hill for Portland.
Here’s Stu Cole’s lineup for tonight’s game:
Eric Young Jr. – 2B
Chris Frey – CF
Matt Miller – LF
Matt Murton – RF
Dan Ortmeier – 1B
Christian Colonel – 3B
Edwin Bellorin – C
Jonathan Herrera – SS
Adam Eaton – SP
Mike McCoy gets the day off today and EY returns after getting yesterday off. Cole and Young were out early today working on the young second baseman’s fielding. Cole hit about 30 or so balls to him out at second as he worked on his approach to ground balls and throws to first. His defense has been pretty solid this season, he’s also made many spectacular plays, but if there is one part of his game that needs to be worked on that’s probably it.
Baker & Torrealba
Today’s Sunday afternoon game sports the two rehabbing Rockies Jeff Baker and Yorvit Torrealba. Torrealba caught last night’s game and went 1-for-4 with a run scored and a walk and is right back out there again today with one interesting note. Instead of setting up behind the dish today to receive the pitches he’ll be stationed over at first base receiving throws from the infield. Torrealba has never played first base in the Major Leagues but has played there in winter ball. Baker did not play in last night’s game.
Here’s a look at Stu Cole’s lineup for the first place Sky Sox:
Mike McCoy – SS
Chris Frey – CF
Matt Miller – LF
Matt Murton – RF
Jeff Baker – 2B
Yorvit Torrealba – 1B
Christian Colonel – 3B
Sal Fasano – C
Alan Johnson – P
McCoy makes his eighth start in the leadoff position as Eric Young Jr. gets the afternoon off. The Sox are 4-3 in McCoy’s previous seven starts from that spot in the lineup where he is hitting.429 (12-for-28) with three doubles, six runs scored, three RBIs, six walks and five stolen bases.
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