Defense outshining version of 2007 Rocktober team
The 2007 Rockies set the Gold Glove standard for defense.
With rookie Troy Tulowitzki wowing fans on a nightly basis with his acrobatics at shortstop and veteran Todd Helton anchoring the infield at first base, the Rockies set a majorleague record with a .989 team fielding percentage. The 2007 team, of course, went on to win the National League pennant.
Yes, I’m well aware that fielding percentage, by itself, is not an adequate measure of defense, but it’s fair to say that the 2007 squad shined on the diamond and in the outfield.
I think that this team’s defense is better than the 2007 club’s, especially the range and athleticism of its infield. Entering Wednesday night’s series finale vs. the Giants, the Rockies’ .989 fielding percentage ranked second in the National League and third in the majors. Their 34 errors were tied for the second-fewest in the NL, behind Arizona’s 32.
What’s more, the Rockies ranked second in the majors with a 10.19 assistspernineinnings rate, while the 88 double plays they’ve turned rank third. Remember, we’re talking about having to playing half the games at Coors Field, where baseballs fly fast and furious. Third baseman Nolan Arenado, for example, ranks second in the National League with a .975 fielding percentage, behind Washington’s Anthony Rendon (.993), but Arenado’s 243 total chances are far and away the most among NL third basemen.
Catcher Chris Iannetta, who was a rookie on the 2007 club, told me that the comparison of 2007 to 2018 is an apt one.
“Both teams are extremely athletic,” Iannetta said. “That 2007 team had a lot of really big, athletic dudes, who could make plays. And you’ve seen what this group can do”
Current second baseman DJ LeMahieu, who made a gorgeous behindtheback flip to shortstop Trevor Story covering second base in Colorado’s 52 victory against the Giants on Monday night, is not one to brag. So it meant something when he said: “I think our infield is the best infield in the league. And then you have two Gold Glovers in the corner of the outfield with (Gerardo) Parra and CarGo (Carlos Gonzalez), and I think Charlie (Blackmon) is a good center fielder. Plus you have a former shortstop (Ian Desmond) playing first base, so it’s as good as it gets.”
Colorado’s pitching and offense have been wildly inconsistent this season, but Arenado, who’s well on his way to his sixth consecutive Gold Glove, said the defense has been rock solid.
“What I like about this group is that everyone is super aggressive to the ball,” he said. “Sometimes, you will see other teams where they don’t want the ball hit to certain guys. That’s not the case with us.
“And another thing I like is that, for the most part, nobody let’s their offensive troubles leak into their defense. We’re always ready to make a play, and we know that we can change a game with defense.”
Shaw update.
Struggling righthanded reliever Bryan Shaw, on the disabled list with what the team has called a strained right calf, threw a simulated game Wednesday. He is now scheduled to pitch for TripleA Albuquerque on Friday and Saturday.
“Bryan looked good, and we are encouraged by where Bryan is,” manager Bud Black said. “He kept the ball down with both his fastball and his breaking ball. There were some mechanical adjustments he’s worked on the past week. Bryan, right now, feels really good. The pitches he threw in today’s simulated game were very good. Now we have to carry that into a real game.”
Footnotes.
Demoted righthanded starter Jon Gray made his first start at TripleA Tuesday night. He held El Paso hitless for the first five innings before giving up a leadoff single in the sixth. He finished the game allowing two runs on two hits (including a home run) with no walks and six strikeouts
over six innings.