Alex White has been sent down to Colorado Springs with no clear replacement in the wings. Jim Tracy declined to discuss who would take his spot, with the chatter pointing to Guthrie, Pomeranz or both in a restoration of the five man rotation.
One thing is for sure, logic will most likely be left on the bench.
With White being sent down, my money is on Pomeranz coming up…
In other pitching news: Juan Nicasio will throw live to hitters tomorrow and RHP Jhoulys Chacin will throw a bullpen tomorrow.
Wonder why JT declines to talk about it?
My guess is they really don’t know who they are going to get to replace him…I’m assuming they will watch Guthrie pitch again (at Coors) to see if he might work out back in the lineup? I feel Pomeranz should be brought back, but have no idea what they are thinking…
What I’ve heard is a three man rotation, 50 pitch limit.
Love it. Jeem wins the thread!
HA! Classic…Jeem for GM!!!
Wow, a +12 rating Jeem! The gang has spoken!
My bet is that it’s Guthrie for now, with Pomeranz getting 2 – 3 more starts in AAA, and then coming up if he pitches well.
When would Nicasio be ready to be a Rockie again?
Pedro Astcaio?
Seriously until the Rockies try to get better instead of saving face, I wouldn’t bring up any of the kids. Apodoca will screw them up just as he has with White and Friedrich.
Read on another thread what seems blatantly obvious to me. If the Rockies starting pitchers threw more strikes earlier in the counts, then the opposing hitters wouldn’t be sitting on that 3-0 fastball in the heart of the zone.
Power pitchers with both “control and command” of the strike zone do just fine at Coors Field. Pitchers simply can’t walk batters consistently at Coors or they are going to get hammered more so than any other ballpark.
Hope we get to see Cabrera sometime this season to help validate this point about pitching with command. He has exceptional control as evidenced by the low BB rates, and at each level the scouts and baseball experts say he will start to struggle when playing against better hitters at the next level up (so far the experts have been wrong). But one caveat on Cabrera is that very high HR rate, however it doesn’t hurt as much because he doesn’t walk anybody.
This is also why I worry about Matsek eventually at Coors Field (who has the power arm but very little control). Similarly I think this whole control and command issue is what caused Ubaldo’s decline before he was eventually traded.
I’m afraid White’s confidence is shot. He never bought into this 4-man rotation. Another young pitcher we may have lost for good.
When I’m not totally frustrated with the organization, and I try and be objective, I think the truth is that DOD is a pretty good personnel guy, EXCEPT for pitching.
They all blame Coors, but I think the facts prove that this organization can screw up anyone. Look at the quality of pitching that has been destroyed by the team, I don’t see how you can always blame the players or the stadium. I think it’s the staff, from DOD on down.
As I’ve said before, if the Monforts are unwilling to clean house, why not at least try a new pitching coach? What do they have to lose?
I disagree. O’Dowd has been bad all the way around handling the roster. Held onto Atkins and Hawpe way too long. Recently brings in mediocre players that just block up and coming youngsters.
My problem with the pitching philosophy at our elevation has been:
1. Apodaca
2. Jumping pitchers from Tulsa where there is high humdity which allows for greater movement
Any of those “aces” at the lower levels should be given the trial by fire in the Springs. If they can pitch there and on the road, then, they are ready for Denver.
Who would be the candidates for pitching coach here, anyway? Obviously, someone who could accept the challenge and then, most importantly, succeed. How many of these guys would we have to go thru to find a fit?
Would Goose Gossage be a viable candidate since he still lives here, even tho he hasn’t handled a staff?
Howz ’bout crankin’ the humidor up so the balls are a quarter ounce heavier?
How about Jamie Moyer? I read that he and the Orioles just parted ways. He’s been to Coors and knows the issues; has plenty of years and experience under his belt, and has more wins than any past or possibly future Rockie pitcher will ever attain.
He was signed by the Blue Jays after asking to be released by the Orioles…i see him starting since the Blue Jays are depeleated by injury…
muhhaha. bad joke.