Rockies Correspondent Report

The first week turned in by the Colorado Rockies hinted a resurgence of past seasons. The Rockies, who started the season 0-2, ended the first week on a good note winning four in a row, including a three game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The team proved they are going to contend this year, only this time it won’t be for last place with the San Diego Padres.

The games at Coors Field, which is notorious for being a hitter’s paradise, have been low-scoring, pitching duels. The winning streak compiled by the Rockies has been strictly because of solid pitching and good defense. It is no question that they can hit (you could bunt the ball into the outfield at Coors), they know they must flash the leather if they are going to make the playoffs. Todd Helton commented after the last game (8-3 win over Curt Schilling and the D’backs), “Our outfield was incredible today. You can see the strength in their arms, the way they go get balls, cut balls off. That’s a huge plus for us, especially playing in this park.” That game marked the first time in franchise history each outfield position recorded an assist.

FIC Local Spin:

The four game winning streak has everyone in Denver talking, however not many are able to enjoy the games live. The weather in Colorado has been frigid to say the least. The second game at Coors saw a record low crowd of 25, 197. Many fans are anxious to get out to the ballpark to root for the Rockies (after the hockey season). Rain has been commonplace in Denver, so mark my words, when Mother Nature permits it, record crowds will pile into Coors to see how far the Rockies can ride this good fortune.

Lightning with the Lumber

Chris Stynes has been probably the biggest surprise for the Rockies thus far. He was brought in to replace Todd Zeile, who signed with the New York Yankees. Stynes played for the Cubs in 2002, but did not see much playing time due to the breakout season by Mark Bellhorn. The Rockies placed Stynes behind fellow newcomer Charles Johnson in the batting order. From the 8th spot, Stynes has scored an impressive 8 runs, and already has 3 doubles. He also has tallied 4 walks.

Menacing Mound Man
The best story so far for the Rockies would have to be that of Shawn Chacon. The right-hander, who struggled at the end of last year going 0-4 in his last 4 starts and ending the season 5-11, pitched phenomenally against Arizona. He worked all winter on improving his pitches and getting into better shape, and it really showed. He threw 7 innings of 2 hit baseball in a win over the Diamondbacks. He had a perfect game through 5 1/3, the longest by any pitcher at Coors. He ended with eight strikeouts, and the only run he surrendered came off a home run by Steve Finley in the 7th, who fell victim to two Chacon curves in his first two at-bats for punch outs. Manager Clint Hurdle said this after the game about Chacon, "I don't know that I could be happier for a young man - or prouder. He has some resolve, and he's coachable. He set the bar high on this homestand."

Struggling Star

Jason Jennings was thrilled about getting the nod as the Opening Day starter. He did not envision the game to go as bad as it did. ``It just kind of snowballed,'' he said. ``Mistakes are going to happen, but that many in an inning will kill you. I was making mistakes against the heart of their order and I just couldn't get that groundball to get out of the inning.'' The inning he is referring to was the six-run third inning in which the Astros batted around and featured a 2-run home run by Jeff Bagwell. Jennings pitched the fourth, but another homer by Bagwell chased Jennings from the game.

In his second start, he beat the Diamondbacks throwing five innings with as many strikeouts. His ERA dropped from 18.00 to a much more respectable 11.00. Well, you have to start somewhere.

Names of the Newbies

The Rockies had a host of new additions in 2003, including Jose Hernandez, Preston Wilson, Charles Johnson, Chris Stynes, Ronnie Belliard, Darren Oliver, and Dan Miceli.

Hernandez has filled in for the departed Juan Uribe as the staring shortstop. Infamous for his strikeout capabilities, the Rockies will try and work with him to lower that number without losing his power.

Wilson is also known to strikeout, but is expected to relish in Colorado especially in Coors.

Johnson provides some much needed defense behind the plate and more importantly, leadership. He will split the duties with youngster Bobby Estalella who can provide some pop at the bottom of the order.

Stynes and Belliard supply some much needed defense in the infield, and any production with the stick from these two is a major benefit.

Miceli is a strong middle-reliever that will help, along with Todd Jones, to preserve games until Jose Jimenez can come in and shut the door.

Oliver was also slated for the bullpen, however with the injuries to starters Denny Neagle and Denny Stark, he has been thrown into the rotation. He should help the club more as a reliever, but it will be interesting to see what happens if he performs well. He already has one victory under his belt.

Sizing Up the NL West

Stacked with talent, though much of it belonging to veterans, the NL West appears to be quite possibly the strongest division in the Major Leagues. The Rockies find themselves alone in 2nd, two games up on both Los Angeles and San Diego, but two games behind the still undefeated, defending NL Champs, the San Francisco Giants. When the last place Arizona Diamondbacks get their act together, the NL West could be a four team battle for the division crown.

Quick View

ADD:

Shawn Chacon Great first outing and probably will repeat.
Chris Stynes If run production is needed, he is tied for the league lead.

DROP:

Jay Payton Hitting is not what it use to be. He is in a major slump. He will be easy to pick up again once he gets going.
Jose Hernandez Strikeouts are going to kill his average. There are better shortstops than him at this stage. He can get hot quick, so keep an eye on him.

HOLD:

Jose Jimenez He had one bad outing but bounced back to claim his first save. No big worry there.
Jason Jennings He also had a bad game but came back nicely. He will be the ace this year and will be looked upon to produce. Right now, it looks like he will respond to the need.