Results tagged ‘ Mike Silver ’
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.
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.
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