Colorado Rockies First Base Battle Week Two

As Spring Training rolls along, we’ll be continuing our weekly coverage of the position battles happening in the Colorado Rockies camp. To look at last week’s first base battle update, click here. We’ve looked at the shortstop, pitching staff and outfield competitions over the week.

Here is the second update for the first base competition.

This isn’t a competition for who will make the team. This is about playing time; both Ben Paulsen and Mark Reynolds figure to see time at first base, but can one of the two set themselves apart and earn the bulk of the innings? For Kyle Parker, it’s about diversifying his skill set and giving himself a better chance to make a roster.

Kyle Parker
Spring Training| 20 AB | 5 H | 4 R | 1 2B | 2 RBI | 1 BB | 8 K | .250/.286/.300
Week Two| 9 AB | 2 H | 2 R | 1 2B | 1 BB | 3 K | .222/.300/.333

Parker has seen his chances to make the Rockies roster dwindle with the addition and performance of Ryan Raburn, who has been a pleasant surprise in his first games in a Rockies uniform. He’s striking out at an obscenely high rate and isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. At this point, Parker is auditioning for a spot in another organization because he’s out of minor league options. If Parker doesn’t make the team, he’ll become a free agent and can sign anywhere, as long as another organization is willing to give him a chance.

More from Rox Pile

Ben Paulsen
Spring Training| 23 AB | 6 H | 2 R | 1 2B | 7 RBI | 3 BB | 4 K | .261/.333/.304
Week Two| 11 AB | 2 H | 2 R | 1 RBI | 2 BB | 3 K | .182/.308/.182

Paulsen had a pretty cold week from the plate, recording only two hits. We’re getting what we expect from Paulsen; a solid, major league-average player who plays solid defense. Honestly, we were hoping for a bit more out of Paulsen and he has a few more weeks to play well, but first base is typically a power-hitting position. Paulsen doesn’t provide that type of pop, limiting his upside.

Mark Reynolds
Spring Training| 20 AB | 7 H | 4 R | 1 2B | 1 3B | 2 HR | 7 RBI | 3 BB | 3 K | .350/.435/.800
Week Two| 6 AB | 1 H | 2 R | 1 HR | 3 RBI | 2 BB | 1 K | .167/.375/.667

I will say this; when Reynolds makes contact, the ball flies off his bat. Reynolds only hit this week was a home run, setting him apart from his counterpart Paulsen. Reynolds strikeout are also down from his usual rate; for someone who has led the league multiple times in strikeouts, even in this small sample size it’s good to see.

Reynolds and Paulsen, at face value, form a solid platoon. The issue is that there are many more right-handed starters than lefties, giving Paulsen the de facto bulk of the innings. Reynolds’ power is something the Rockies can’t leave out of the lineup too often as he could hit 40 home runs at altitude if he’s given enough at-bats, giving Colorado three potential 40-home run players.

Check back next week and see how the first base competition is faring.

Next: Outfield Competition: Week Two

As week two of spring training comes to an end, it’s time to take another look at how things are shaping up in the outfield. Read last week’s update here.

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