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Colorado Rockies Rundown: Catchers, Chris Rusin, And Jorge De La Rosa

By BobDeMuro |
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Sep 9, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Colorado Rockies relief pitcher C. Rusin (53) pitches during the third inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Your morning rundown — news, notes, analysis, and more — on the biggest stories surrounding the Colorado Rockies for this Friday, September 11, 2015.

More from Colorado Rockies News

The Colorado Rockies continue their west coast road swing with three games against the Seattle Mariners beginning tonight up at Safeco Field. From there, they will return to southern California with three against the surging and playoff-bound Los Angeles Dodgers.

But hey, the Rox got a series split in San Diego on Thursday afternoon despite getting just five hits the entire game (four solo homers!), so maybe things are looking (kind of) up for the boys in purple pinstripes.

Here’s what’s going down in today’s edition of the rundown:

  • Dustin Garneau took a long, long road to get to his first big league home run off Padres’ pitcher James Shields.
  • Wilin Rosario caught again! And it wasn’t a disaster! Does that mean he’s going to catch even more this year and next year?
  • Speaking of catching down the stretch, Nick Hundley is still dealing with a neck strain. Might that mean reinforcements are coming soon?
  • Chris Rusin has been inconsistent lately, but overall this year has done very well for the Colorado Rockies. Is he the new Jorge De La Rosa?
  • Speaking of JDLR… we’ve got some numbers on just how good he’s been with the Rockies since he was acquired in 2008.
  • It’s rookie dress-up day! One of the funniest and best days of the year in the Major Leagues.

Lots to discuss! Let’s cover today’s news and notes around the Colorado Rockies.

Next: Dustin Garneau's long road to the big leagues

Mar 1, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies catcher D. Garneau poses for a portrait during photo day at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Dustin Garneau’s long, long road

(via MLB.com)

Dustin Garneau hit the first home run of his big league career on Wednesday night in the Colorado Rockies’ 11-4 loss to the San Diego Padres. It was a bomb, too — a left-center field shot that went several rows into the seats, but Garneau had no idea about any of that:

“It was pretty cool. I didn’t really feel it off the bat, but I was sprinting around the bases like it wasn’t going to go out, but then it did. It was a pretty cool experience.”

But hey, at least he’s got the ball as a souvenir!

“The guys in the bullpen signed a ball for the fan that got it. Not sure yet [where the ball will go], but Alan Bossart [Director of Clubhouse Operations] just took it and is going to do some framing for it — but I am waiting for it.”

[ Related: A look back at possible Colorado Rockies’ September call-ups ]

The real story here is Garneau’s long road to the big leagues, after spending seven seasons in the minors before making his debut. He was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 19th round of the 2009 draft out of Cal State Fullerton, only just now getting his first shot at a big league job.

It’s a credit to him that he (a) persevered this long to get to the Majors after seven minor league seasons and (b) that he was able to overcome being a 19th round selection to collect his first service time in the bigs.

He’ll get lots more playing time this month after Nick Hundley has gone down with a neck strain (more on that below), and Michael McKenry is, of course, already out after having knee surgery.

Unfortunately, though, I can’t see Garneau having any significant long-term future with the Colorado Rockies; Hundley ought to be back next year, and catcher-of-the-future Tom Murphy (who just finished the season in AAA Albuquerque) will likely be his backup at some point next year, fighting with McKenry for that spot.

Next: Wilin Rosario is catching again!

Sep 6, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies first baseman W. Rosario (20) falls trying to catch a foul ball in the fourth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Wilin Rosario gets back behind the plate

(via MLB.com)

This is kind of horrifying. Wilin Rosario was forced to catch on Thursday afternoon, of course, as the Colorado Rockies tried to give Dustin Garneau a day off after a night game, and Nick Hundley was unavailable to catch with his neck strain.

Rockies’ manager Walt Weiss sounded, um, not so sure about Rosario behind the dish before the game:

“I just hope [Rosario] doesn’t melt back there, it’s going to be hot. It’s been a while since he’s had the gear on. We will keep an eye on him physically. … I am hoping it’s kind of like riding a bike. He’s continued to catch bullpens and throw to bases from time to time, but it is a little different back there during the game and being able to slow the game down. But he’s got four years of experience doing that.”

[ Related: How hasn’t Wilin Rosario been traded yet? ]

All things considered, Rosario certainly was not awful behind the plate on Thursday, he didn’t have any passed balls, no one stole off him, and the Rockies did win, so in all, a job well (?) done.

But clearly, he isn’t a long-term catching option and shouldn’t be viewed as such. Maybe it’s time the Colorado Rockies got some reinforcements up in Denver and gave another catcher a shot! Hey, now that you mention it…

Next: Reinforcements are coming behind the plate

Apr 28, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies catcher N. Hundley against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Get ready for a new catcher in Denver!

(via MLB.com)

The most interesting little tidbit in that Wilin Rosario piece (last slide) is actually buried at the bottom, but is also common sense: the Colorado Rockies are going to need to call up another catcher for the last few weeks of the season.

From Beth Maiman:

As for as a timetable for Hundley, Weiss said that he’s not going to be back anytime soon, and the team will most likely need to call up reinforcements.

Welp.

[ Related: Nick Hundley’s long-term value to the Colorado Rockies ]

It’ll be interesting to see exactly who the Rockies call up for this; Tom Murphy is the obvious choice, considering his prospect reputation and the fact that the Rockies will hopefully have him up in the big leagues for at least part of the year in 2016.

Ryan Casteel, who caught quite a bit at AAA Albuquerque this year, could also make his big league debut, though he likely doesn’t factor in as a catcher of the future for the Rockies. And then there’s Matt McBride, the recently designated-for-assignment utility infielder/outfielder/catcher who I suppose could return again to the Rockies.

Whomever it may be, the Rockies are going to need to open up a spot on their 40-man roster for the player (neither Murphy, Casteel, nor McBride are currently on the 40-man), so it would open up an interesting roster question in the final few weeks of the season.

Would they designate somebody for assignment? Would they just put Hundley on the 60-day disabled list and end his year prematurely? We shall see…

Next: Chris Rusin the new JDLR?

Aug 16, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher C. Rusin (52) reacts to the win over the San Diego Padres at Coors Field. The Rockies won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Rusin, the new Jorge De La Rosa?

(via Purple Row)

I really like this piece by Purple Row’s Jordan Freemyer about Chris Rusin, and whether he can become the Colorado Rockies’ next Jorge De La Rosa.

Freemyer was criticized in the comments over on PR because Rusin (obviously) doesn’t have the stuff that De La Rosa does, and instead will live on the big league fringes for his career. That’s true; Rusin does not throw a 93 mph fastball, or have an arsenal like De La Rosa’s curve, slider, and split/change, so the comparison in terms of natural, raw stuff is probably fairly invalid.

[ Related: Chris Rusin is a tough guy proving himself in a tough situation ]

But I do like the comparison for one reason: both Rusin and De La Rosa are lefties whom the Rockies found at pivotal points in their careers; just a few years under 30 years old, well past the time of being a prospect, and yet dumped by previous teams for little return (Ramon Ramirez, in De La Rosa’s trade) or absolutely nothing (waiver, as was the case with Rusin).

The Rockies have to buy low on pitching based on where they play and who would (not) want to come to Denver of their own free will through free agency. Thus, it’s critical the Rockies buy smart when they buy low on pitching. With Jorge De La Rosa, the club certainly did that (and probably to a level even better than they ever expected). With Chris Rusin, well, perhaps something similar will hold true.

Next: Just how good *IS* Jorge De La Rosa?

Aug 19, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher J. De La Rosa (29) during the sixth inning against the Washington Nationals at Coors Field. The Nationals won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Hip hip, Jorge! (Rox would die without him)

(via Twitter and Twitter)

We all know Jorge De La Rosa is good, but how good is he?

Jake Shapiro from Rockies Zingers answered that question on Twitter yesterday afternoon:

The Colorado Rockies would (roughly) be about 53-87 without De La Rosa this year.

Granted, they are only 58-82 with him, but five games of difference makes a huge difference, even if it doesn’t feel like it. Thank goodness for Jorge.

Next: It's rookie dress-up day!

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