Bud Black discussed the health of the rotation while Zach Agnos described his approach to his first spring training.
Every day during spring training, the Colorado Rockies send out short videos that feature coaching staff and players. We wanted share some short updates from training camp based on those interviews.
Bud Black
Rockies manager Bud Black spoke at length with Thomas Harding about the health of the rotation as well as seeing some of the new players in camp.
“Overall, we’re in really good shape,” Black said. “I feel really good about where we are physically.” After hip surgery, Sean Sullivan is a bit behind, but Black expects him to get up to speed soon.
“The pitchers are in a great spot,” he said.
Of special note is the health of the presumed starting rotation, with Black emphasizing Kyle Freeland, Germán Márquez, and Antonio Senzatela.
“I think those guys are really setting a great tone,” he said. He added that Austin Gomber and Ryan Feltner are bringing in more experience.
“There’s a lot of mentoring going on,” Black said, “which is what you want to occur.”
Black stressed that team dynamics are important.
“Every team is different,” he said, “but I feel good about the character of the guys on this team.”
He’s “excited for the competition” that will happen in the bullpen.
“I think we’re to the point now, just pure stuff, we’re right there with anybody,” Black said, noting the velocity of the young arms. “It’s going to be a lot of competition.”
He stressed this is a time to get to know some of the younger players. “These are some of the conversations we have,” Black said. “These six weeks enable us to get to know our players.”
The question of the closer remains unknown.
“It’s early to tell,” Black said, “but we have some ideas.” He cited as possible closers Tyler Kinley, Justin Lawrence, Seth Halvorson (“he was impressive, I thought”), and Victor Vodnik as well as Angel Chivilli and Jaden Hill who both got saves while in the minors.
“Billy’s talked about it. We’re not going to discount a young guy potentially making the team if they show us what they can do,” Black said.
Zach Agnos
Of his first big-league camp, Zach Agnos (No. 23 PuRP) said his excitement level was “through the roof” since it was something he’d dreamed of his whole life.
“Now I’m here, it’s kind of surreal.”
Agnos noted that he’d worked during the offseason with Tyler Kiley and Austin Gomber in Florida. “They told me what to expect,” he said. “They’ve been really selfless in reaching out to me and letting me know what it’s going to be like.”
Now he’s working hard to make the Rockies roster.
“I’m going to let go, have fun, be myself,” Agnos said. “I just love competing, and I’m at the highest level now I’m competing at the highest level.”
He concluded, “I just want to keep stacking days on top of each other and going about my business.”
Check back tomorrow from more notes from Salt River Fields.
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