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.