Colorado Rockies: 3 Players Who Are Under-Performing This Spring

Spring training is always a time to get a feel for how players are shaping up for the regular season. Sure, these are exhibition games but they are also opportunities for the Colorado Rockies and other Major League Baseball teams to get a feel for what they’ll be working with when the regular season begins.

Through the games of March 11, the Rockies have an 8-6 record in Cactus League play. That’s 14 games where players have had a chance to flash their talents and make an impact. For veterans, it’s a chance to shake off the rust. For younger players and those on the roster bubble, it’s a chance to make an impact and draw some attention.

So who has done well in spring training? Trevor Story is back to hitting bombs and leads the team with four homers, including a monster shot in a loss to the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. Pat Valaika has also made his presence felt in the power department with three solo homers.

On the mound, Mike Dunn has looked impressive in four scoreless outings out of the bullpen. Zach Jemiola has racked up a pair of saves while not allowing a run in seven innings of work.

Those are the positives. However, there have been a few negatives so far this spring as well. In this article, we’ll look at three players who are underwhelming right now. Some may just be in a bit of slump while others may be in more serious trouble.

Let’s start on the mound and we’ll go from there…

Nolan Arenado

We know, we know. How could Nolan possibly end up on the list? He’s Nolan! Well, numbers tell a story and Arenado has struggled at the plate so far this spring.

Arenado is just 4-for-19 in seven games with the Rockies this spring. He’s also struck out four times and walked just once. Sure, it’s a small sample size, but you can’t argue that Arenado has had a tough time finding his rhythm at the plate in Arizona.

That’s also translated over to the World Baseball Classic, where Arenado was hitless in his first eight at-bats for the United States. However, his hustle and defense has been flawless. The image of Arenado sliding head first into first base was scary for Colorado fans to see, but it also showed how far Arenado will go to help his team.

Is his slow spring start something to wonder about? Arenado hit .542 in spring training last season but just .254 in 2015 spring training. Of course, we all know how those seasons finished up for the four-time Gold Glove winner.

Make no mistake about it, Arenado will find his groove at the plate. However, Colorado fans are certainly hoping it’s sooner than later with the regular season creeping ever closer.

Jordan Lyles

At the age of 26, the Colorado Rockies seem to still be trying to figure out what to do with Jordan Lyles.

Last season, he was both a starter and reliever. He was much better out of the bullpen, going 3-3 with a 4.42 ERA and even earning his first career save. When he started a game, the ERA ballooned to 8.55. Ouch.

This season, Lyles has been inked in as a reliever. In spring, it’s been a Jekyll and Hyde effort. In two outings, he’s logged two scoreless innings. In his other two outings, he’s surrendered six runs in two innings. That’s includes a five-run butchering at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers when he gave up two homers in one frame.

Should we be worried, seeing his 13.50 ERA this spring? Bud Black says no.

Next: Looking at Colorado's 3 Spring Position Battles

“The conversion to reliever will not only benefit us but him and his career moving forward,” Black recently told Rox Pile. “I think he’s on board being a major league relief pitcher. Last year was a great step forward for him, according to Jordan and our pitching guys about where he is career-wise and what we need him to do. I think we’ve seen an uptick in his stuff out of the pen. He’s working on a couple of things delivery-wise that should help him control the running game. I think it will make his stuff a little crisper. He’s doing fine.”