Tagged: Ramon Hernandez
LIVE GAME UPDATE: Rockies vs. D-Backs In Eighth; Delays and Play Lasting Over 3 Hours
Its been a crazy night for the Rockies. After a rain delay that kept the Rockies and the Arizona Diamondbacks from playing for about sixteen minutes at the begging of the game, the Rockies were underway for a few innings but that was stopped as the rain began to pur more, and the game was called. The game was delayed for a while, a tarp was put on the field and I think about everyone but the teams, staff and like 20 fans left. The crowd looks like a 1:600 seat ratio. The Rockies are taking the win in this series, but that has taken a long time due to the unpredictable Denver weather. Colorado is known for its crazy weather, like earlier today I played baseball under beautiful skies, but now the Rockies have had to deal with two rain delays and the moral drain of sitting under the field for a while. The Rockies’ starter, Jhoulys Chacin, was took out of the game in the top of the fifth inning, likely partly because he just could not keep his arm very warm. This is only the second game in the three game series against Arizona, and the Rockies won their first game, they are trying to make sure they take the series.
The Rockies have scored five runs, over the course of this tiring 6 innings, but the D-Backs have also scored five, scoring one in the first, three in the fifth inning and one in the top of the sixth.
While starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin is gone, he still had an important role to the Rockies, outside of the real circumstances of the game. Chacin was really one of the only stable pitchers for the Rockies last year, and because of this, he has set the bar higher for himself this season. He is especially important to the Rockies, as they will need every good start out of their rotation they can get . Jhoulys Chacin is a vital part of the Rockies’ rotation, so he will need to prove himself in this early part of the season, or alarms may start going off for the Rockies.
Chacin only gave up the one run in the first inning, as Chris Young singled to score his teammate Ryan Roberts, after Roberts singled and advanced on another single by his D-Backs teammate, Miguel Montero. It was an inning of singles for Arizona, and lucky for the Rockies, they only scored a single run (pun intended). Then, after only a few innings of play, the game was delayed as the rain became heavier again, and the teams left for an hour and 11 minutes. It was a long delay, and was long enough for Rockies Manager Jim Tracy to have to likely doubt if keeping Chacin in the game was a good idea. An hour and 11 minutes is as long as a pitcher might take to seven innings, instead it would take about two hours for Chacin to get to the fourth inning.
When the Rockies got to the fifth inning, Jim Tracy made the decision to bring in reliever Josh Reonicke. Reonicke may be a reliever, but he really gave the Rockies no relief as he gave up three runs in that inning alone. In the fifth inning, the D-Backs eventually ended up with men at first and third. Roberts was at third, and Arizona teammate Justin Upton were on the corners after Upton had singled, as Miguel Montero homered to score himself, Roberts and Upton to chop the D-Backs’ deficit down to 4-5. That was the last scoring of the fifth inning for any team, but the D-Backs continued to attack the Rockies in the sixth inning.
From this point on for the Rockies, the game has been no prettier. The Rockies replaced Josh Reonicke with Matt Reynolds, but Reynolds only lasted one batter as he got Lyle Overbay to ground out and was removed from the game. Matt Belisle was then brough into the game, but event the changing of pitchers twice in an inning would not stop the D-Backs. The D-Backs tied the game 5-5 in the top of the sixth, as Aaron Hill reached on a throwing error by Troy Tulowitzki, and Arizona capitalized on the error as John Mcdonald doubled to score Hill. The inning would last longer, but there was no other scoring. The D-Backs then scored again, as Rex Brothers replaced Matt Belisle but, Paul Goldschmidt hit a sac fly to score Justin Upton.
The game is now tied 5-5 with the game in the eighth inning. The D-Backs just scored as scored on a little bunt by Gerrardo Parra, as John McDonald cam home to give them a 7-5 lead. The bunt was officially ruled a sacrifice bunt fielders choice, but a RBI nonetheless.
The Rockies scored their first three runs on a Tyler Colvin homer, scoring Micheal Cuddyer and on a Ramon Hernandez homer to give them three runs total. They scored two others, but that may not be enough to get the win.
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LIVE GAME UPDATE: Rockies and Nicasio Try To Come Out of Coors Field With a Win
Well, the Rockies and Juan Nicasio are underway in their first game on home turf for the first time since mid-season last year. Surprised? The reason this scenario has not occurred since so long ago is that this is the first time Nicasio has pitched at Coors Field since his terrible injury mid last season. Nicasio was struck by a come-backer from the bat of SS Ian Desmond while pitching against the Washington Nationals in 2011. Nicasio ended up breaking his C1 vertebrae, and was wheeled off the field in a stretcher to be taken to the hospital and treated. Nicasio opted for the surgery that would give him the best chance of pitching again, and his choice paid off.
For many fans and people in the Rockies organization, just the fact that Nicasio was not paralyzed and was able to talk to trainer Keith Dugger on the field after his accident, was a beacon of hope for Rockies fans, but the fact that Nicasio is on the mound today is even more impressive. Nicasio underwent surgery, and after that had a sense of humor it seems almost from the moment he left the hospital. When visiting the Rockies’ clubhouse after leaving the hospital, Nicasio was telling jokes about being back on the mound in a few weeks. While his road to recovery would be longer than just a few weeks, Nicasio has finally found the end of that road after his marvelous recovery. I wrote about Nicasio in a Rockies Reporting MLBlog post, which can be found here: Spring Training Pitching 2012: Nicasio; From on the Ground to on the Mound .
It was heartbreaking to see Nicasio fall down on the mound after being hit by the ball in the 2011 Season. You see pitchers get hit by line drives from time to time, but when Nicasio got hit in the head, I knew something was wrong. Sometimes pitchers can just shake off being hit, and I was wishing Nicasio would be able to at least walk off the field, but Nicasio had no chance of leaving the game in that ordinary of a fashion.
Nicasio’s was a great story, before the injury;
The Rockies had acquired a new young pitcher from their tireless work of scouting for new players in the Dominican Republic, and Nicasio seemed to be a great pick-up. He showed promise, and it looked like while he may have had some small ups and downs, would be a prospect for an upper rotation pitcher in the future. It looked that the Rockies’ work in the Dominican Republic was showing impressive results again, and I think many fans had this feeling until that one fateful day for Juan Nicasio.
That was before the injury. When Nicasio went down on the mound, and the ambulance cart came on the field to haul off Nicasio and take him to take him to the hospital. I was trying to think of what would happen to Nicasio. Would he ever return to the rotation? Would his surgery go well? Had he broken any bones? The answer to these questions was yes. To the first two questions, you want the answer to b yes, to the last question you are hoping for a no. While Nicasio may have been faced with an incredible hardship, he persevered. I was so pleased to hear Nicasio’s surgery had gone well, and that through it all Nicasio was keeping an optimistic view on life, and he wanted to pitch for the Rockies as soon as he could.
At Denver Health, Nicasio underwent surgery on his C1 vertebrae and on his head, and is today playing with metal in his head and neck.
But you may not know. If you are just a Rockies fan who goes to a few games a year, you may be pleased that the Rockies had made a good pick-up, but you may not know the remarkable story behind his being on the mound today.
Today, Nicasio pitched decent. Nicasio gave up six runs over his three innings. Nicasio had an upsetting first inning as he gave up two runs after giving up three straight walks to load the bases. Nicasio tied his MLB record of walks in a game, with three, but has now set a new record for himself with five walks in this game. In the top of the first, Paul Goldschmidt, a threat to any pitcher, singled to score his teammates Miguel Montero and Chris Young.
After that, Miguel Montero made Nicasio pay again as he hit a homer to right field to give the D-Backs a 4-2 lead. After that, Arizona scored again on a sac fly by Geoff Blum wich scored Chris Young. Then the D-Backs scored again as Ryan Roberts doubled to score Paul Goldschmidt. The story from here is the game in action, as the Diamondbacks lead the Rockies 6-4.
The Rockies have also gotten on the board, however, and the long ball has been their friend. The Rockies have scored both their runs on homers, as Dexter Fowler shot one to right field over the out-of-town scoreboard, and Ramon Hernandez homered with a monster shot to the left field bleachers for Ramon Hernandez.
The Rockies have also struck back in the third inning, tacking on two more runs to lessen the gap between the Rockies’ and D-backs’ scores. The Rockies scored their runs in the third inning on a hit by Ramon Hernandez, who has hit for three of the four RBIs which have been earned by the Rockies today. The hit by Hernandez in the bottom of the third scored Troy Tulowitzki and Micheal Cuddyer, the second of which is a new pick-up for the Rockies, who is playing outfield tonight.
Unfortunately, the Rockies are trailing the D-Backs with a score of 6-4 in the bottom of the third inning. As well, Rockies Manager Jim Tracy made the decision to remove Juan Nicasio, and replaced him with Esmil Rogers, a bullpen pitcher for the Rockies last year who provided support, but still somewhat contributed to the unsteady Rockies’ bullpen last year.
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LIVE GAME UPDATE: Rockies Score Three Against Astros In Third, Tie Game 3-3
Rockies baseball in the Regular Season is underway, and It looks like the Rockies have a reaction to the Astros scoring in the first. After Carlos Lee singled to score teammate Jose Altuve, the Astros lead the Rockies 1-0 and the Astros fans were excited. The table has been reversed as the Rockies now have three runs after several hits and an error by the Astros.
In the top of the third, Marco Scutaro led the inning off by getting a single on a line drive to left field. The Rockies would then continue to capitalize on the single as Dexter Fowler dropped a bunt, that was officially counted as a sac bunt with a throwing error, but seemed more like a well place bunt. The error was the ball being thrown away by the Astros, allowing Scutaro to advance to third base and Fowler to second. Carlos Gonzalez would ground out to give the Astros their first out, but that did not stop the Rockies’ momentum as Troy Tulowitzki hit a sac fly to right field, allowing Marco Scutaro to score and Dexter Fowler to advance to third. Boy was I excited, it is a wonderful feeling to see your team come back to get the game tied on Opening Day after a long offseason. The Rockies had tied the game, but they want the lead.
They got it. Todd Helton, who was making his 15th straight Opening Day start, hit a double to score Dexter Fowler and clear the bases other than himself.
Micheal Cuddyer proceeded to single on a sot line drive to right field, and score Helton. Cuddyer entered the Rockies baseball season on a good note, but continued to make a good impression on Rockies fans by stealing second base with new Rockies catcher Ramon Hernandez at bat. Hernandez would single and advance Cuddyer to third. The Rockies had achieved a 3-1 lead but the top of the inning had to end some time, and Chris Nelson brought the Rockies at bat in the third inning to the end with a ground out.
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LIVE GAME UPDATE: Rockies Opening Day is Minutes Away, Lets Go, Rockies!
The familiar ROOT Sports theme is playing, the Rockies are ready to go, and the drought of Regular Season Baseball for the Rockies is about to end. Already the Taco Bell ad staring Carlos Gonzalez has played on monitors all over Colorado, and who knows how many people will say “We Want Tacos” today. Hopefully the Rockies will start their season on a high note and score at least 7 runs (for the Taco Bell special) and maybe get a win for their first game. Starting the season with a W would be nice, and seeing the new additions of the Rockies click together in the real deal is what people have waited to see for so long. Seeing them play in Spring Training is one thing, but seeing the real real deal is even better. Here is the starting lineup for the Rockies on Opening Day 2012:
1. Marco Scutaro, 2B
2. Dexter Fowler, CF
3. Carlos Gonzalez, LF
4. Troy Tulowitzki, SS
5. Todd Helton, 1B
6. Michael Cuddyer, RF
7. Ramon Hernandez, C
8. Chris Nelson, 3B
9. Jeremy Guthrie, P
For more information on the Rockies starter, batting ninth, Jeremy Guthrie here is a post I wrote previously: ROCKIES 2012 SEASON PREVIEW: New Pitcher; Looking at Jeremy Guthrie; The Rockies’ #1 Opening Day Starter in 2012 . There are several new additions in the Rockies’ lineup: batting first; Marco Scutaro, a new 2B acquisition from the Boston Red Sox, batting sixth; Micheal Cuddyer, a new outfielder from the Twins batting seventh; Ramon Hernandez, a new catching pick-up from the Cincinnati Reds and batting ninth; Jeremy Guthrie, a new right-handed pitcher from the Oriels. Marco Scutaro will be playing next to Troy Tulowitzki, who is batting fourth. Tulo is batting fourth behind Carlos Gonzalez who is batting third, and CarGo is batting behind Dexter Fowler, who is hitting second.
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(Spring Training) LIVE GAME UPDATE: Rockies First Spring Training Game in Bottom of Fifth
Spring Training is finally here! After months of waiting, the Rockies are finally ready to play as a team. Major changes to the starting lineup include the additions of Micheal Cuddyer, in RF, Tyler Colvin, taking the DH spot, and Ramon Hernandez will be behind the plate catching Drew Pomeranz. Also, new Rockies faces include big prospect third-baseman Nolan Arenado, and Ben Paulsen at 1B. This game will be broadcasted on 850 (AM) KOA in Colorado or on MLB.TV from MLB.com. Stay on the Rockies Reporting MLBlog for game updates on this exciting first Spring Training game of 2012.
Here is what the starting lineup was:
Dexter Fowler, CF
Marco Scutaro, 2B
Carlos Gonzalez, LF
Troy Tulowitzki, SS
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Tyler Colvin, DH
Ramon Hernandez, C
Nolan Arenado, 3B
Ben Paulsen, 1B
Here is the current lineup:
Jamie Hoffman, CF
Chris Nelson, 2B
Tim Wheeler, LF
DJ LeMahieu, SS
Charlie Blackmon, RF
Tyler Colvin, DH
Will Nieves, C
Nolan Arenado, 3B
Ben Paulsen, 1B
LIVE GAME UPDATE:
The game is underway in the bottom of the fifth inning with a 1-1 score. Paul Goldschmidt has scored for the Diamondbacks, and Michael Cuddyer scored for the Rockies. Ramon Hernandez got the hit to score Cuddyer, both new Rockies, and both showing potential for the season(s) to come. If there are any very exciting developments in this important game, the Rockies Reporting MLBlog will cover them, so stay tuned!
Sky Sox and The Rox, Together Until 2014; Players to Watch in 2012
While nobody today could definitively say if the Rockies will play well in the 2012 Season, or not, much of the 2012 Rockies roster will be young players. While many of these young players have not been brought up by the Rockies organization, some of them may spend time at Colorado Springs, on the roster of the Sky Sox. The Sky Sox are the official Triple-A Affiliate of the Rockies as a contract between the organizations was completed Friday. The Rockies are one of the many teams in MLB and especially in the NL West, who have an abundance of young players. Since the Rockies have so many young players, many of them have to have gone through the long, tiring process of A-ball, and likely Triple-A.
For years, the Sky Sox have been refining players who need it, or offering guys in a slump a place to hone their skill a little farther out of the spotlight. The Sky Sox are going to be an instrumental part of the Rockies organization at least until 2014, and likely farther, as the contract made yesterday seals the deal for another two years.
How I see it, in around two to four years, if the progression of young players in the Rockies’ farm system goes well, the Rockies could be looking at a team with similar statistics to their 2007 team. On that NL Champion team, 22 of the 25 players had been to Colorado Springs and was once a fellow Sky Sox player. That is an impressive statistic, and with several top prospects in MLB regulars at Security Service field in Colorado Springs, a young, champion Rockies team could be in the making.
Just a few months ago, Tim Wheeler (who played with the Sky Sox in 2011) played in the AFL, or Arizona Fall League. Wheeler, to me, could be a major name for the Rockies in the near future, and could help out in the outfield if Carlos Gonzalez happens to run into any other walls too hard. As well, if Seth Smith and Ryan Spilborghs don’t return for 2012 (Spili is a free agent) Wheeler could wheel into the Rockies’ lineup and become a fixture among CarGo and Dexter Fowler. Wheeler hit 33 homers with the Drillers in 2011, and had an impressive 105 runs scored and 86 RBIs. While the chances of Wheeler jumping to the majors for 2012 is still unlikely, the Rockies may be willing to experiment as they did in the last part of the 2011 Season.
Among the players who were part of a kind of experiment for the Rockies in the last part of 2011 was Wilin Rosario, the Rockies’ #1 Prospect. Rosario, to me, looked a little unsteady, and I think a bit more time in the minors with the Rockies farm teams could help him. Rosario is known for his powerful arm, and mighty swing. One of the problems I see for Rosario is the fact that the Rockies have hired Ramon Hernandez to play behind the plate. Hernandez is far veteran to Rosario, and has proven himself in the majors before. Despite the fact that Rosario would have to prove himself good enough to get the catching role, he also has to make sure his numbers are good enough. Rosario only hit .249 but hit for 21 home runs and 48 RBIs. Despite not having stunning numbers in A-ball, Rosario does have talent and some pop in his bat. Personally, I want to see him play, but I want to see him play well.
Another player to watch in Colorado Springs in 2012 is Drew Pomeranz. Pomeranz was acquired in the trade from the Indians for Ubaldo Jimenez. Pomeranz did have a charge of disturbing the peace dropped against him earlier this week, so the outlook for his near future is looking better. Pomeranz was not stunning in 2011, but with some time to adjust and more playing time he could soon become a regular in the Rockies rotation. Pomeranz played for Double-A Tulsa for much of the 2011 season and in 101 innings had a 1.78 ERA and struck out 119 batters. Despite having a relatively good 2011 season, including making a few starts for the Rockies, Pomeranz walked 38. I expect Pomeranz will begin his season in Triple-A, but he may appear a few times for the Rockies. I should note that Pomeranz has never played in Triple-A, but has played in the major leagues.
I think all of these players could make valuable additions to the Rockies, but I think Tim Wheeler is the most likely to play often this season. After him, I will put Drew Pomeranz at second amongst those players for playing time, and I think Wilin Rosario will have to settle for some more A-Ball for a while. I want to see all three of these guys play, but I hope seeing them play does not mean the Rockies are sacrificing a better man for the job.
Share your thoughts on the Rockies’ farm teams or their young players by commenting below!
As Holidays Approach, Rockies Have Made Changes
I am a huge Rockies fan, but sometimes, especially being a writer, you just have to face the facts. The fact I’m talking about in this case is the 2011 Season. With young talent, and few great, and other good players, the Rockies looked promising in the days before Spring Training. But, the Rockies 2011 Season, in all honesty was disappointing. That statement is coming from a fan who lives Rockies.
NOTE: This is a long post, but it covers many of the changes the Rockies have made this offseason. I have divided it into sections unless you only want to know about one position, or player. You will begin to notice in some parts of my writing there is italic lettering. This shows where my opinion is in the paragraph, in case you would like to seek it out. Italics=opinion .Please enjoy, rockingroxfan!
2011:
The season started on a note of disappointment for some, as Jorge De La Rosa was injured early in the season. The Rockies’ pitching, along with the bats of Troy Tulowitzki, Todd Helton and Carlos Gonzalez looked like a recipe for at least a over .500 season. But as the Rockies lost De La Rosa in May, the season began to look a little scary. De La Rosa tore his ulnar collateral ligament, an injury that would need Tommy John surgery. Although Jorge’s surgery went well, he will almost positively never be the same pitcher. Later in the season, a bright spot in the rotation, Juan Nicasio appeared. Nicasio was a young pitcher, with promise, but there was room for improvement in his pitching. Despite wanting to see him produce, I think the last thing many people were worrying about on that fateful Friday, August 5th, was his pitching performance. Nicasio was stuck in the head/neck by a line drive off the bat of Ian Desmond. Nicasio would be put on a stretcher and wheeled off the field, eventually going to a hospital. Nicasio would undergo surgery in his head and neck, but if all goes according to plan, he will be ready to pitch in Spring Training, despite having several pieces of metal in his head. The Season didn’t end with a great flourish either. Tulo, Helton, and CarGo all suffered injuries, putting a damper on the mood in the Rockies clubhouse for the end of the season.
2012
Despite what I have outlined above as a disappointing season, it looks as if the Rockies will be looking to avoid a repeat of the lack of pitching, and inconsistent offense.
Outfield
The Rockies added veteran hitter Michael Cuddyer, who could also play outfield if need be, or even hop around in the infield for the Rockies. Cuddyer is coming from the Twins on a 31.5 million dollar contract for three years. The contract is pretty large for the Rockies payroll, but Cuddyer brings a leadership role to the Rockies, as well as an experienced batter, and fielder. Although the Rockies will not make an official announcement until later this week, Cuddyer is almost an official Rockies player. Cuddyer is 32 years old, so a three year deal is not to risky of a proposition, in my opinion. Cuddyer hit 20 homers with a respectable 70 RBIs for the Twins last season. His avg. was only .272, but he brings talent to the Rockies lineup. I think the Rockies could have probably picked up Cuddyer for a little less money, and I hope he can play infield. If CarGo, Dexter Fowler and Seth Smith (if Smith remains with the Rockies) all have good health, Cuddyer my be needed in the infield. The picking up of Cuddyer, I think, could be a sign, the Rockies are not looking to sign (no pun intended) Smith.
The Rockies have also picked up two smaller-name outfielders by the names of Tyler Colvin and Jamie Hoffman. Colvin has played three seasons in the Major Leagues, but batted a poor .150 with the Cubs last year. I honestly don’t understand the full reasoning behind picking up Colvin. He has only batted .215 career, and has not had a shortage of at-bats. For a player like this, I would assume he will spend most of the 2012 season, if not all, in A-ball. His signing, to be honest seems like a bad idea. The Rockies also picked up outfielder Jamie Hoffman from the Dodgers. Hoffman has only had 26 career at bats, only four last season. With a player as inexperienced as Hoffman, I am betting he will spend almost all of the 2012 season in A-ball. If he can gain more experience, or prove himself in Spring Training, he may be able to pop into a game once in a while, but I would not bet that would be a usual occurrence.
Pitching
On another note, the Rockies added three pitchers to their active lineup, but to be honest, I would not expect them to save the day. While I acknowledge they could improve and become MLB caliber pitchers, the men who were picked do not yell “GAME CHANGER” at me. The biggest trade worth noting, would be Kevin Slowey. Slowey would be considered a star in high-A, but he has not been great in the Majors. In A-ball, Slowey has won countless MVP Awards, but when he comes to the Majors it seems those MVP type skills fall away from him. Last season with the Twins, Slowey pitched a disappointing 6.67 ERA, and had no wins, but eight losses. I can understand why the Twins traded him. I don’t exactly understand why the Rockies picked him up, however. Slowey probably does not cost a fortune, but adding another inconsistent man to the rotation does not seem like the best fan-pleasing strategy. I think, if Bob Apodaca is up to the task of getting Slowey to the big-league level, it could be a good deal, but in the short term things could go bad quickly. As long as the Rockies are not paying him a too much, and he is not taking up precious roster space, a cheap pitcher may be good.
Along with Slowey, the Rockies added two other pitchers to their staff. The Rockies tacked on Christian Friedrich and Edwar Cabrera. Both of these young men have not pitched in the majors before, so it will be very interesting to see their skill level at Spring Training, and hopefully in the Majors. I suspect they will reside for much of the season in the Minor leagues, but if they turn out to be big-league caliber throwers, the Rockies can use some pitching help.
Catching
Working our way down the Rockies roster, the Rockies picked up some help as Chris Iannetta left the team, and Wilin Rosario looks as if he needs a bit more time in the minors. If all attempts failed, the Rockies could have begun the 2012 Season with Jordan Pacheco behind the plate. Luckily, the Rockies were able to pick up a catcher, in Ramon Hernandez. Hernandez will bring catching experience to the lineup, and he may be able to help the young Wilin Rosario to become better. Hernandez batted a .282 average last year, with the Reds, and with the air conditions in Coors Field, a guy with some pop in his bat could up his numbers. Although he only had 36 RBIs, and 12 long-balls, Hernandez could help out in the lineup. I think Hernandez will flourish in Colorado, and he will be a good fit with the bullpen. Not great, but good.
Infield
The Rockies infielding in the 2011 Season was crazy. I don’t really mean bad at playing, but the players in each position were different all the time. Unfortunately, the Rockies have not done much to fix their infield problems in this offseason so far. The only real new player is DJ DeMahieu, an infielder acquired from the Cubs. DeMahieu has only played in the majors for one season, but batted .250. Given 2011 was his first year in the big leagues, I think if he works hard a successful big-league career could be in his future. Despite my guess, it is very possible he will only wear a Rockies uniform in Spring Training, and head back to A-ball in parts of the season.
Please, share your opinion on anything in this post by commenting. I really would like to hear what my readers think about the Rockies’ work on their roster so far. Please Comment!
Rockies Reporting 