Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders with the latest installment of his Rockies Mailbag.
Pose a Rockies- or MLB-related question for the Rockies Mailbag.
Is Kris Bryant stuck in the role of light-hitting, reserve outfielder with periodic DH duties?
— Alex Brown, Englewood
Alex, as I noted in my Sunday Rockies Journal, Bryant’s future is one of the biggest question marks facing the Rockies. The club won’t say it publicly, but there is frustration over Bryant’s inability to stay on the field. There is also concern about his lack of production when he does play.
I floated the idea that it might make sense to put Bryant on the 60-day injured list and end his season right now. Perhaps that would allow him time to figure out how to keep his back healthy and start fresh next season.
Regarding your question, I’m unsure if the Rockies know what to do with Bryant going forward. Home run-hitting Michael Toglia is now the first baseman. With several young outfielders already making an impact (Brenton Doyle, Nolan Jones, Jordan Beck) and prospects on deck (led by Zac Veen and Yanquiel Fernandez), there’s little room for Bryant in the outfield. Plus, he’s not a very good outfielder.
So his future will primarily be as a designated hitter, albeit one who lacks power. His huge contract is an albatross, no doubt about it.
How long do we see Charlie Condon in Spokane? Does he finish the season in Double-A ball?
— Matt Whitfield, Denver
Matt, Condon will finish his first professional season at High-A Spokane. There is no reason to push him up to Hartford and the tough Double-A Eastern League. He’s already had a long college season and is getting his first taste of life in the minors. As I write this, he’s struggling. Through his first 10 games, he slashed .205/.279./.333 with one home run and two doubles. He has 15 strikeouts (28.3% K rate) and just two walks.
Condon has star potential, but there is no reason to rush him this summer.
Before I put this season in my bulging “Won’t Get Fooled Again” file, I’m having a troubling sliver of optimism: Brenton Doyle, Ezequiel Tovar, and, though still unproven, Michael Toglia, Jordan Beck, and Nolan Jones. Do these guys add up to a functioning line-up for the near future?
Yes, I’ve heard general manager Bill Schmidt’s assurance that success is growing in the minors, but trust gets harder to summon sooner or later. I thought I’d check with you.
— Bill, Denver
Bill, first of all, you must be as old as I am. A reference to The Who? Well done.
You and I are kindred spirits regarding the Rockies. Although those who troll the “Twittersphere” rip me when I say there are some reasons for optimism, I think there are. There are some exciting young position players and pitchers on the way up. MLB Pipeline recently ranked the Rockies’ farm system 12th overall, thanks to some solid drafts over the last few years.
Still, I remain skeptical that the playoffs are near. As I wrote in my recent journal, I believe the Rockies are further away from being a contender than they think they are. My conclusion: “Will the Rockies be better in 2025? Yep. But I don’t see playoffs on the horizon. I see a seventh straight losing season, and the Rockies asking their fans for more patience.”
Patrick, there are some GM wannabes on Rockies blogs who want to trade Brenton Doyle immediately to take a chance on younger, controllable options for the future. I think this is nuts as a fan who enjoys Doyle’s play and savors every win in the present. What do you think?
— Dom, Longmont
Dom, I’m with you, 100%.
I haven’t read any of those blog posts suggesting the Rockies trade Doyle, but you’re right, it would be nuts. Not only is Doyle incredibly entertaining, he is the best defensive center fielder the Rockies have ever had and just might be the best defensive center fielder in the majors right now.
Plus, thanks to his work and dedication in the offseason, he’s becoming a force at the plate. Doyle already has a Gold Glove, and I see All-Star Games and Silver Sluggers in his future. He has a chance to be the cornerstone of the franchise.
MLB needs to adjust some rules. It must ditch the ghost runner in extra innings and adjust the designated hitter. Here is a thought for you and others in the press box. Once a team pulls their starting pitcher, the DH is done for the day. Say hello to managing again, double switches, and an exciting end to the games. Would also behoove starters to go deeper into games. Thoughts?
— Rip, Aurora
Rip, it’s not going to happen. MLB is beyond thrilled with the shorter games and the pace of games.
I understand where you’re coming from, but I think most players and managers like the ghost runner in extra innings, and the full-time DH is here to stay. I would love to see starters pitch deeper into games, but with an emphasis on analytics (third time facing the order, etc.), I’m afraid those days are gone for good.
Have the Rockies already given up on Hunter Goodman? In a clearly lost season, Bud Black would much rather play short-term bench vets like Sam Hilliard or Jake Cave over Goodman while Jordan Beck gets to play in the lineup every day despite the numbers he puts up. I know they might think of Goodman as a B-tier prospect, but with his power, I’d still love to see if he could figure it out with a month’s worth of everyday at-bats.
— Isaac Bowen, Fort Collins
Issac, the Rockies haven’t “given up” on Goodman, even though they optioned him to Triple-A over the weekend to make room for Nolan Jones on the big league roster. The Rockies need to see what they have in Jones. The exciting rookie 20/20 rookie from last season? Or the injured, struggling player of this season?
If I had to pick between Beck and Goodman, I’d go with Beck, in large part because he’s a better outfielder. Their offensive numbers are similar. Beck is slashing .221/.250/.326 with two homers, 37 strikeouts (37% K rate) and just four walks. Goodman slashed .177/.219/.373 with eight home runs, 49 strikeouts (29.7 K rate) and six walks. Goodman’s home run rate is 3.7% compared to Beck’s 2.0%, though I think Beck has a chance to be a power hitter.
You make a good point about Black playing Cave and Hilliard ahead of Goodman before Goodman was sent down. I believe Black is trying to juggle playing time for “the kids” vs. putting a team on the field with the best chance to win. That’s why we’ve seen Cave getting a lot of playing time. I don’t agree with all of the playing time Cave is getting, but I understand why Black wants to win as many games as possible. It’s a quandary, for sure.
Hey Patrick, I was at Coors Field for Todd Helton’s Hall of Fame honor. What are some of your favorite memories covering No. 17?
— Marshall, Parker
Marshall, thanks for asking about Helton, who ranks as one of the favorite athletes I’ve ever covered.
He could be an irascible bear, but once you got to know him and gained his trust, he was wonderful. His dry, wicked sense of humor was legendary in the Rockies’ clubhouse.
For me, the best memories of Helton are personal ones. Here are a few:
• In January, when Helton got the call from the Hall of Fame, letting him know that he had been elected, I was fortunate enough to be at his house in Knoxville, Tenn. Todd’s wife, Christy, made me and my good friend, Thomas Harding of MLB.com, feel like a member of the family. It ranks as one of the most special days of my career. It was very emotional.
• Years ago, my nephew, Dylan, went on a road trip with me to San Diego. When Dylan got to the game at Petco Park, Helton went over to the fence and chatted Dylan up. Helton even asked the security guard to allow Dylan on the field. The guard said no, but Helton still made Dylan feel special.
• Many years ago, my wife, Nancy, got a field pass during spring training at Hi Corbett Field in Tucson, Ariz. (I think it was 2008). We were hanging around the batting cage, and Nancy met Matt Holliday, Troy Tulowitzki and some other Rockies players.
But it was Helton who made her day — at my expense.
I introduced Helton to Nancy, and after he had taken his swings in the cage, he cozied up to Nancy, pointed at me, and said, “Let me understand this. You have to go home with him tonight? Come here, you need a hug.”
After taking another turn in the cage, Helton cozied up to Nancy again and said, “Wait, so you have to sleep in the same bed as him tonight? Come here, you need another hug.”
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