Colorado Rockies: Bud Black on offseason, MLB’s pace of play initiatives

Black answered a follow up question about whether he gelled with the organization because of this philosophy and his background in pitching (he was a pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1982 through 1995 and he was the pitching coach for the Anaheim Angels from 2000 through 2006, including their 2002 World Series win, before becoming the Padres manager in 2007). He said it has to do a lot with why he was hired in the first place because the Rockies wanted somebody who knew pitching well.

He also commented how the Rockies director of pitching operations, Mark Wiley, was his pitching coach in both tenures that Black had with the Cleveland Indians as they were together from 1988 through 1991 and in 1995 again, so he is a believer in what Wiley preaches. Also, I personally think that it should be noted that Wiley was the pitching coach for the then-named Florida Marlins and his bullpen coach from 2008-2009 was Steve Foster.

The next question asked was about the Rockies first base situation and what he thinks that it will look like at the start of the season. Black said that Ian Desmond could play and Ryan McMahon could see some time there. He also said don’t be surprised if Pat Valaika sees some time at first base (something that our very own Olivia Greene predicted that we may see in 2018 a little over two weeks ago). Prospect Jordan Patterson could also see some time at first as well so, in essence, Black is saying that first base is wide open.

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Our very own Kevin Henry asked the next question and he asked how the Rockies have been able to attract elite relievers (like Greg Holland and Wade Davis) to Denver. Bud Black responded with this:

“I think that a lot of it is our organization. A lot of it is our players who are here–position player group–I think is attractive for other players come, both position players and pitchers who look at this team and think this team has a chance to go places. And there’s no doubt that [pitching coach] Steve [Foster’s] relationship with Greg [Holland] last year, his relationship with Wade [Davis has helped out]…Players talk, agents talk, and we feel now that–and I’m not so sure that it was the case before–Denver is a destination for a lot of players…it’s desirable to play here.”

It should be noted that Foster’s relationship with Davis that Black mentioned goes all the way back to when he was in the Royals front office as an assistant to their general manager and their pitching coordinator during Davis’s tenure with the Royals. Foster was also the bullpen coach for the Royals from 2010 through 2012, which just happened to be Greg Holland’s first three years in the major leagues with the Royals.

A question was later asked about what the key for the starting pitching staff, specifically Kyle Freeland and Jon Gray, making the leap forward and reaching their full potential. Black said that the main thing that the Rockies have to prevent is the “sophomore slump” on their young pitchers, like Freeland, Antonio Senzatela, German Marquez, and Jeff Hoffman, and make them even more serviceable than they were last season.

Black also said that he thinks that Gray, Tyler Anderson, and Chad Bettis can also show some growth this upcoming season because he doesn’t think that they have reached their potential but they are more seasoned that the other starters. He specifically mentioned that solving “delivery issues”, aka repeating their delivery, is key for Gray and Freeland in 2018. “Secondary pitch consistency” is also key for Gray and the “variance in velocity” for Freeland is key to his success. Also, for the pitching staff in general, control of the fastball is something that is needed.

Next, Black fielded a question about MLB trying to limit mound visits so that they improve the pace of play. “I think there are some mound visits that without a doubt are strategically based,” Black said. “I don’t have a problem with cutting down visits per se, whether maybe it’s an infielder visit or a catcher visit. I think those can be slowed for sure. But I think some of the pitching coach visits, the manager visits, those are integral to strategy. I really do.”

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Bud Black also says that he “understands” why there has been talk of a pitch clock. However, he says that “beauty” of the game is that time isn’t an issue. He also believes that if pace of play will be changed, it needs to be “player driven,” like the batter staying in the batter’s box and pitcher’s not taking as long in between pitches.

This has been a hot-button issue lately as the MLB Players Association just rejected Commissioner Rob Manfred’s proposals to improve pace of play. However, he has unilateral power to impose that on baseball if he so chooses.

Final Thoughts

I would have to say that I agree with Bud Black on just about everything he said. The Rockies have obviously been more focused on pitching than they ever have as a franchise and it showed in 2017 and, barring injury, it will show again in 2018. I would also have to agree with him on the pitch clock.

Personally, I think that the rule already in the books that a pitcher has to pitch within 10 seconds of receiving the ball should be enforced but umpires tend not to enforce it.

Next: How the pitch clock could change things for 2018

Our very own Kevin Henry offered some more insight into the situation and his opinion on the situation yesterday (check the link above).