Durango53
10-09-2006, 04:54 PM
In their 14th season of existence, the Rockies finally discovered good starting pitching. Sure, the so-called humidor, an atmosphere-controlled chamber where the Rockies store baseballs to combat the effects of the mile-high atmosphere, had an impact. But the guys throwing them after they were pulled out of the humidor had much more to do with it.
Led by Jason Jennings, who posted a 3.75 ERA and pitched 212 innings, the starting staff finished with its first sub-5.00 ERA, at 4.73. The previous best was 5.19 in 1995 -- the year the Rockies made the playoffs, but also a season shortened to 144 games because of labor issues. The staff's 4.66 overall ERA also was a club record, bettering the 4.97 of 1995.
Significantly, the top three starters -- Jennings, fellow right-hander Aaron Cook and left-hander Jeff Francis -- came up through the system, proving that huge free agent forays aren't necessary.
Almost as a cruel joke, the Rockies wound up with one of their worst offensive performances, especially when they had a chance to make their move in the National League West. A serious stomach ailment that felled first baseman Todd Helton in late April and robbed him of strength and power the rest of the way didn't help. The Rockies found offensive standouts in All-Star Matt Holliday and Garrett Atkins, but they needed more players to produce throughout the season.
Record: 76-86, tied for fourth in NL West
Defining moment: The Rockies were 44-40 and looked to be a serious contender until the Diamondbacks visited Coors Field for the final three games before the All-Star break. However, the Rockies absorbed a sweep, watching a 1-1 tie turn into an 8-1 deficit in the top of the ninth, then rallying in the bottom of the inning, only to fall short, 8-7. A 2-8 road trip out of the break defined the Rockies as not ready to contend.
What went right: The pitching success offered a rebuttal to the oft-repeated claim that winning in Colorado is impossible because of the toll it takes on hurlers. But other precursors to success were seen early and late. The Rockies went 22-21 on the road during the first half. The second half was a road collapse -- 10-28 -- but when they won and when they lost, it was because of sound fundamental baseball or the lack of it -- not because they couldn't adjust to the atmospheric difference. Also, the contributions of late-season callups such as outfielder Jeff Baker, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and catcher Chris Iannetta were eye-openers.
What went wrong: In a season in which starting pitching was better than ever, the run production took a year off. The Rockies lost 42 games in which the starter left having given up three or fewer earned runs, and only a small handful were because of errors or bullpen failures. The .231 batting average with two out runners in scoring position was lowest in club history, and the .267 overall RISP average was tied for the club's second lowest -- not good, considering the Rockies bunted more than anyone to move runners into position.
Biggest surprise: Rookie right-handed relievers Ramon Ramirez and Manny Corpas emerged to gain late-inning roles. Ramirez had struggled with the Yankees before coming over in last year's Shawn Chacon trade, but he was the club's best reliever in the first half. Corpas, a Class A player last season who was involved in the final decision for this year's Major League roster, made the climb from Double-A to the Majors and handled tight situations well.
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Batting
Average: Garrett Atkins, .329
Doubles: Garrett Atkins, 48
Triples: Cory Sullivan, 10
Home runs: Matt Holliday, 34
Runs: Matt Holliday, 119
RBIs: Garrett Atkins, 120
Stolen bases: Jamey Carroll, Cory Sullivan, Matt Holliday, Kazuo Matsui, 10
Pitching
Wins: Jeff Francis, 13
Losses: Aaron Cook, 15
ERA (starter): Jason Jennings, 3.78
ERA (reliever): Brian Fuentes, 3.44 (minimum 30 IP)
Saves: Brian Fuentes, 30
FORECAST FOR 2007
Lineup: The heart of the lineup functioned best at the end, with Atkins batting third, followed by Holliday and Helton. Brad Hawpe, the starter much of the year in right, and late-season callup Jeff Baker displayed power and could give the Rockies a strong combination in the sixth spot. Tulowitzki and Iannetta, who made their Major League debuts, could be depended upon often in the seventh and eighth spots. Catcher Yorvit Torrealba, a decent run producer before he suffered a shoulder injury, will most likely be used in tandem with Iannetta. Carroll and Kaz Matsui functioned better than any leadoff idea the Rockies have had since they traded Juan Pierre after the 2002 season. Matsui, however, is a free agent. The No. 2 spot is a question. How that is filled depends on the identity of the center fielder.
Rotation: The top three starters are set, with the club holding an option on Jennings, Cook signed for '07 and Francis a year away from arbitration. Right-hander Byung-Hyun Kim's club option could be an economical pickup. The Rockies must make a decision on righty Josh Fogg. In the system, righties Ubaldo Jimenez and Juan Morillo are about a half-year from being ready, so look for the Rockies to try to sign some low-priced veterans for depth in case of poor performance or injury.
Bullpen: Fuentes, who had a strong beginning, but was more impressive in overcoming a midseason slump, is signed and set. Lefty Jeremy Affeldt was inconsistent after arriving in a trade with Kansas City, but look for him to gain a greater role (if he isn't starting). Having Ramirez and Corpas means the Rockies might not have to spend big for a veteran righty. As for vets, lefty Tom Martin is a good bet to be back, it's not clear if righty Jose Mesa will stay and lefty Ray King has an expensive option that the club is unlikely to exercise. Right-hander Mike DeJean is looking to give it another shot after shoulder surgery.
Biggest need: Center field tops the Rockies' wish list. Colorado is more likely to seek a trade rather than get into a bidding war for high-priced, older free agents.
Prospect to watch: Tulowitzki is the odds-on favorite to go into 2007 as the starter at shortstop. He gives the Rockies a strong glove, as well as the potential for power at that position that they've never had.
http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060927&content_id=1686452&vkey=news_col&fext=.jsp&c_id=col
Led by Jason Jennings, who posted a 3.75 ERA and pitched 212 innings, the starting staff finished with its first sub-5.00 ERA, at 4.73. The previous best was 5.19 in 1995 -- the year the Rockies made the playoffs, but also a season shortened to 144 games because of labor issues. The staff's 4.66 overall ERA also was a club record, bettering the 4.97 of 1995.
Significantly, the top three starters -- Jennings, fellow right-hander Aaron Cook and left-hander Jeff Francis -- came up through the system, proving that huge free agent forays aren't necessary.
Almost as a cruel joke, the Rockies wound up with one of their worst offensive performances, especially when they had a chance to make their move in the National League West. A serious stomach ailment that felled first baseman Todd Helton in late April and robbed him of strength and power the rest of the way didn't help. The Rockies found offensive standouts in All-Star Matt Holliday and Garrett Atkins, but they needed more players to produce throughout the season.
Record: 76-86, tied for fourth in NL West
Defining moment: The Rockies were 44-40 and looked to be a serious contender until the Diamondbacks visited Coors Field for the final three games before the All-Star break. However, the Rockies absorbed a sweep, watching a 1-1 tie turn into an 8-1 deficit in the top of the ninth, then rallying in the bottom of the inning, only to fall short, 8-7. A 2-8 road trip out of the break defined the Rockies as not ready to contend.
What went right: The pitching success offered a rebuttal to the oft-repeated claim that winning in Colorado is impossible because of the toll it takes on hurlers. But other precursors to success were seen early and late. The Rockies went 22-21 on the road during the first half. The second half was a road collapse -- 10-28 -- but when they won and when they lost, it was because of sound fundamental baseball or the lack of it -- not because they couldn't adjust to the atmospheric difference. Also, the contributions of late-season callups such as outfielder Jeff Baker, shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and catcher Chris Iannetta were eye-openers.
What went wrong: In a season in which starting pitching was better than ever, the run production took a year off. The Rockies lost 42 games in which the starter left having given up three or fewer earned runs, and only a small handful were because of errors or bullpen failures. The .231 batting average with two out runners in scoring position was lowest in club history, and the .267 overall RISP average was tied for the club's second lowest -- not good, considering the Rockies bunted more than anyone to move runners into position.
Biggest surprise: Rookie right-handed relievers Ramon Ramirez and Manny Corpas emerged to gain late-inning roles. Ramirez had struggled with the Yankees before coming over in last year's Shawn Chacon trade, but he was the club's best reliever in the first half. Corpas, a Class A player last season who was involved in the final decision for this year's Major League roster, made the climb from Double-A to the Majors and handled tight situations well.
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Batting
Average: Garrett Atkins, .329
Doubles: Garrett Atkins, 48
Triples: Cory Sullivan, 10
Home runs: Matt Holliday, 34
Runs: Matt Holliday, 119
RBIs: Garrett Atkins, 120
Stolen bases: Jamey Carroll, Cory Sullivan, Matt Holliday, Kazuo Matsui, 10
Pitching
Wins: Jeff Francis, 13
Losses: Aaron Cook, 15
ERA (starter): Jason Jennings, 3.78
ERA (reliever): Brian Fuentes, 3.44 (minimum 30 IP)
Saves: Brian Fuentes, 30
FORECAST FOR 2007
Lineup: The heart of the lineup functioned best at the end, with Atkins batting third, followed by Holliday and Helton. Brad Hawpe, the starter much of the year in right, and late-season callup Jeff Baker displayed power and could give the Rockies a strong combination in the sixth spot. Tulowitzki and Iannetta, who made their Major League debuts, could be depended upon often in the seventh and eighth spots. Catcher Yorvit Torrealba, a decent run producer before he suffered a shoulder injury, will most likely be used in tandem with Iannetta. Carroll and Kaz Matsui functioned better than any leadoff idea the Rockies have had since they traded Juan Pierre after the 2002 season. Matsui, however, is a free agent. The No. 2 spot is a question. How that is filled depends on the identity of the center fielder.
Rotation: The top three starters are set, with the club holding an option on Jennings, Cook signed for '07 and Francis a year away from arbitration. Right-hander Byung-Hyun Kim's club option could be an economical pickup. The Rockies must make a decision on righty Josh Fogg. In the system, righties Ubaldo Jimenez and Juan Morillo are about a half-year from being ready, so look for the Rockies to try to sign some low-priced veterans for depth in case of poor performance or injury.
Bullpen: Fuentes, who had a strong beginning, but was more impressive in overcoming a midseason slump, is signed and set. Lefty Jeremy Affeldt was inconsistent after arriving in a trade with Kansas City, but look for him to gain a greater role (if he isn't starting). Having Ramirez and Corpas means the Rockies might not have to spend big for a veteran righty. As for vets, lefty Tom Martin is a good bet to be back, it's not clear if righty Jose Mesa will stay and lefty Ray King has an expensive option that the club is unlikely to exercise. Right-hander Mike DeJean is looking to give it another shot after shoulder surgery.
Biggest need: Center field tops the Rockies' wish list. Colorado is more likely to seek a trade rather than get into a bidding war for high-priced, older free agents.
Prospect to watch: Tulowitzki is the odds-on favorite to go into 2007 as the starter at shortstop. He gives the Rockies a strong glove, as well as the potential for power at that position that they've never had.
http://colorado.rockies.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060927&content_id=1686452&vkey=news_col&fext=.jsp&c_id=col