Valaika, Hoffman among call-ups
Spring training’s assessment period has come early for Rockies infielder Pat Valaika.
In his final year of minor league options, Colorado will be facing a decision regarding Valaika’s future come March. At that point, will the Rockies see him as a part of their infield depth going forward? Or will that audition be Valaika’s last chance as the club chooses to either trade him or designate him for assignment?
The 26-year-old’s performance this September will certainly play a role in his future.
“I don’t think Pat has shown us the best version of Pat, and he’s the first to say so,” manager Bud Black said. “For him, it’s been frustrating the last couple years. But we’re looking for the quality of the at-bat; there’s a little bit of a strikeout (tendency) that he’s got to curtail. We’ll look at that a little bit, and hopefully the contact rate increases.”
Valaika, recalled as rosters expanded to 40 players on Sunday, had a solid spring training but started the season in Triple-A Albuquerque. The 26-year-old’s been recalled, and then sent back, three times since then, with the most recent option coming July 13.
In 84 games with the Isotopes this season the former ninthround pick out of UCLA (2013) is hitting .320 with 22 homers and 75 RBIs. He’s struggled to find his stroke with the Rockies this year (.128 average) and in 2018 (.156).
But Valaika’s not focused on his future right now.
“That’s just the business part, and that’s next year,” Valaika said. “We’ve still got a month left of games, and I’m looking forward to playing in that month.”
Hoffman, Pazos also activated.
As expected, right-hander Jeff Hoffman was called up on Sunday to start against Pittsburgh for an injury-riddled Colorado rotation. Colorado also recalled southpaw reliever James Pazos from Triple-A Albuquerque. Pazos, acquired on April 26 in a trade with the Phillies in exchange for infield prospect Hunter Stovall, has appeared in 137 major league games in four seasons between the Yankees and Mariners. The power pitcher with a hard slider posted an 8.80 ERA for the Isotopes this year.
More prospects on the way.
This year is the final year that major league rosters will expand to 40 players, as rosters in the final month will be maxed out at 28 players starting in 2020. Black said more prospects will be making their way into the Colorado clubhouse over the next couple weeks. That list likely includes pitchers DJ Johnson, Phillip Diehl, Joe Harvey and Rico Garcia as well as a few positional guys currently on the 40-man roster such as corner infielder Josh Fuentes. Black also said the team is planning up to call a third catcher, Drew Butera, when the Isotopes’ season ends.