Rockies’ fifth starter Pomeranz, 23, a ‘kid who can really pitch’
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — There are no grudges. Yet when asked if he’d love for the Cleveland Indians to rue the day they traded him, Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz breaks into a grin.
Pomeranz was the centerpiece of the trade in July that sent Rockies All-star pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez to Cleveland for Pomeranz and pitcher Gabe White. Critics wondered immediately if perhaps Pomeranz one day might be even better than Jimenez.
Who realized that could be this year? Pomeranz will open as the fifth starter and perhaps a key to division hopes.
“This kid can pitch; he can really pitch,” Rockies manager Jim Tracy says. “When you talk about just raw talent, (Los Angeles Dodgers starter Clayton) Kershaw comes to mind. (San Francisco Giants starter) Tim Lincecum arrived quickly. The impression he gives you on the mound is that he’s been here for a while. He can compete.”
Pomeranz, 23, sped through the mi- nors in his first professional season, yielding a 1.78 ERA last year in three levels. He was in the big leagues by September. He is scheduled to make his season debut April 15 and likely will be limited to about 170 innings.
“I never thought I’d be traded,” says Pomeranz, a 6-5 lefty. “But I’m OK with it. I feel more comfortable here than I did with the Indians, honestly.”
Pomeranz, born three years into Jamie Moyer’s major league career, arrived at spring training camp to find his locker next to Moyer, 49. He hasn’t asked many questions, Moyer, says, but instead has intently observed.
“He’s kind of quiet, but I like the way he competes,” Moyer says. “He just needs experience. He’s got a chance to be a really, really good pitcher.”
Pomeranz realizes he has work to do and has a goal in mind. “It’s a learning process, and I’m sure they put (Moyer’s) locker next to mine for a reason,” he says. “I’d love to be able to pitch until I’m 49, too.”