Can Trejo step in if Story is dealt from Rockies?
Third baseman could be on the move ahead of free agency
Alan Trejo says he’s more than ready to dive into the big leagues.
“I think I can play defense with anybody,” the Rockies’ 24-year-old infielder said. “I think I’m one of the best guys out there defensively. I just need to hit.”
But just how soon Trejo gets the chance to make a splash remains to be seen. He’s a shortstop by trade, but he’s not going to supplant all-star Trevor Stor y.
Not yet, anyway.
Stor y becomes a free agent at the end of the season and if the 3-7 Rockies continue to lose, the chances will increase that the Rockies will explore a trade for Stor y by the July 31 trade deadline. It’s doubtful the Rockies will be able to re-sign Story and there have been no talks about a contract extension.
Trejo, called up from the taxi squad when veteran Chris Owings was placed on the 10day IL with a sprained left thumb, made his big-league debut Saturday night, pinch-hitting in the ninth inning. He lined out to San Francisco center fielder Mauricio Dubon.
Trejo, who attended San Diego State, was selected in the 16th round of the 2017 draft. He’s from the Los Angeles area, where his dad was a high school basketball coach. His family will get a chance to see him play in person for the first time as a major-leaguer
when the Rockies begin a three-game series against the Dodgers on Tuesday.
It will be an emotional time for Trejo and his parents, Ray and Elsa Trejo. But probably not more emotional than the phone call he made to tell them he’d been called up.
“Just hearing my mom’s voice when I told her made me break down,” he said. “I started crying with her.”
Trejo played some second base in college, so he’s comfortable moving around the diamond, including playing third base. That could open up some playing time while Owings is on the IL.
“I think he’ll get opportunities,” manager Bud Black said, noting that the Rockies have only 12 position players on their 26-man roster. “I can see Trejo getting starts here and there, just like (outfielder Yonathan) Daza will get star ts.
“If Trevor needs a break, we will play Trejo at shortstop and feel very good about that.”
Trejo last played for Double-a Hartford in 2019. He was at the Rockies’ alternative training site last summer and was at the alternative camp again this year until he was added to the taxi squad for the first road trip.
Black loves Trejo’s sure hands and baseball acumen.
“The all-around play has been impressive for us,” Black said. “I think moving forward, he (needs) to continue to refine his game. He has great poise and he doesn’t scare off.”
At Double-a, Trejo hit .243/.290/.391 with 15 homers. As a non-roster invitee to spring training, he slashed .313/.478/.791 in 48 plate appearances in the Cactus League. The Rockies have been impressed by his ability to hit big-league fastballs.
Still, Trejo realizes he must become a more consistent hitter.
“I star ted to (put up) some power numbers, especially in Double-a,” he said. “But I think with that comes bigger swings and more strikeouts. That was definitely something that I do not like to do.”
In his conversations with Rockies farm director Zach Wilson, the big topic was how to cut down on Trejo’s strikeouts and increase his walk rate. At Double-a, his .290 on-base percentage featured 105 strikeouts (27.5%) vs. just 25 walks in 473 plate appearances.
“Diving into that, I think I could be a really good contact hitter with some power,” Trejo said. “I think that’s the kind of person I’m going to be in the big leagues — someone who can consistently put the barrel on the ball. And if it happens to go out, then it goes out.”
Black has seen “marked improvement” in Trejo’s game.
“We have seen that especially in the strength of his body,” Black said. “As a player in our lower minor leagues, he was on our radar, but he’s really made strides in terms of first-step quickness, range, arm strength and with the bat.
“He’s made strides with his strength with the bat and an increase in bat speed. A tip of the cap to him for the hard work he’s put in. He’s got really good hands and good baseball instincts.”