Let’s talk about pitchers and young outfielders.
Today, the focus was on pitching and young outfielders.
Bud Black
Clearly, Scott Alexander, who was signed yesterday by the Colorado Rockies was a primary topic of conversation in Bud Black’s meeting with the press. (Mac Wilcox explains here why this was a good move.)
As manager Bud Black told media this morning, Alexander is “the veteran left-handed pitcher that can be an integral part of our bullpen.”
He praised Alexander’s performance last year in Oakland.
“Big sinker, gets a lot of ground balls,” Black said. “He’s been tough on left-handed hitters. He’s been around. So he’ll compliment, hopefully, Peralta and some of our other young left-handed pitchers.” He also commended Alexander’s fastball.
“We’re just trying to bolster our left handedness,” Black said, “because the last couple years, we haven’t really had that. And I think nowadays, with some really good left-handed hitters, it helps to have lefties who can neutralize a lot of lefties.”
Black is adamant, however, that a good pitcher is effective in any ballpark.
“I think that if you put any good pitcher in Citi Field, Dodger Stadium, Comerica Park, Coors Field, they’re going to pitch well because they’re good pitchers,” Black said. “So with [Alexander], or any pitcher, that’s what that’s what I look first. But his strength is a really good sinker, and it works in our ballpark.”
When asked if the Rockies were done adding to their roster, Black was evasive.
“You never know how things shake out at the end of spring training, as it relates to what’s going on with other teams and what they’re doing with our doing with their roster.”
As a case in point, he cited the Rockies late-spring-training addition of Jake Cave.
Black was also asked about a number of young players, primarily outfielders.
Of Jordan Beck, Black acknowledged that last season, a hand injury had kept Beck from truly showing what he could do.
Now, though, he is fully recovered.
“I think that the complete player is what is interesting to us: good defender, can run, has power, we think, to hit for average. So, you know, the complete skill set is there,” Black said.
“Now, it’s like all players,” Black said. “He determines his own fate through performance. So let’s see what he can do.”
When asked about Zac Veen, Black stressed the importance of “availability.”
This season, they will be keeping track of Veen’s ability to stay healthy, starting in spring training.
“Is he going through every practice? Is he going through every drill, and is he staying out of the training room? Is he available to play every spring training game season starts? We’re going to watch the at-bats,” he said, adding, “Is he hitting for average? Is he getting on base? Is he driving the ball?”
In addition, the Rockies are evaluating his defense: How are his reads on balls off the bat? Can he continue to throw for average?
“He’s got to continue to work on his arm strength,” Black said, “which, right now is, I would say, major league average. Let’s keep it there.”
And there are some concerns about his aggressiveness on the base paths.
“You can say that, at times, it’s reckless,” Black said.
“He took advantage of some things [in the Arizona Fall League] that he won’t be able to take advantage against major league teams.”
The Rockies want Veen to maintain his aggressiveness while developing an ability to make good decisions.
The Rockies are also focused on his swing.
“I think the big uppercut, the big swing, the big uphill swing has to change,” Black said.
As for a defensive position, Black envisions Veen in a corner outfield spot.
Also discussed was Benny Montgomery (No. 16 PuRP), another first-round draft who has struggled with injuries.
Like Veen, Montgomery just needs to be healthy and get more playing time. “Growth comes with playing,” Black said.
He also sees Montgomery playing center, especially if he starts the season in Double-A Hartford.
Finally, Black was asked about Brenton Doyle’s swing adjustments and the difficulty of making those changes during the offseason.
“It’s not as hard as you would think,” Black said, “if you believe it needs to be done. If you’re committed to it, and you think you need to make changes, you’ll do it, and it’s not that hard. Then it’s just repetitions.”
When a player doesn’t buy in, however, “That’s where it’s difficult,” Black said.
“You need the buy-in.”
Chase Dollander
It was an exciting day in Colorado Rockies camp because Chase Dollander faced live batters, his first time to see some of the Rockies best hitters.
The experience was, Dollander said, “a little nerve wracking,” adding, “First time out in big league spring training, first time facing these guys. It was a lot of fun, though. I enjoyed it.”
Who was he excited to face?
“The obvious answer is Kris Bryant,” he said, “and McMahon, but it was awesome, just facing those guys, seeing all of those guys get set in the box.”
(Watch the video to see him face Kris Bryant and Ryan McMahon. Also, yes that is Scott Oberg standing behind Dollander on the mound.)
Dollander said that he spent most of the offseason working on “building strength.”
His fastball was sitting at 97-98 mph. But what about his breaking stuff?
“Just little tweaks here and there,” Dollander said, “I think will be good just to be more consistent. But other than that, feels great.”
And all the attention? Dollander isn’t phased.
“I just try and focus on what I need to focus on: Control the controllable, and whatever happens happens.”
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Check back tomorrow for more notes from Salt River Fields.
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