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Colorado Rockies: Handing out the rookie report cards

ByDavid Sharp|
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Yonathan Daza #31 of the Colorado Rockies scores in the fifth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on September 26, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Yonathan Daza #31 of the Colorado Rockies scores in the fifth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on September 26, 2019 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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Josh Fuentes of the Colorado Rockies
DENVER, CO – APRIL 6: Josh Fuentes #8 of the Colorado Rockies follows through on his first career hit during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on April 6, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

Josh Fuentes

Fuentes is a 26-year old corner infielder that won the Pacific Coast League MVP in 2018 after posting an impressive .327/.354/.517 batting line with 65 total extra based hits. This success led to Fuentes getting an early call up to help out at first, but sadly Fuentes struggled with the transition.

Fuentes posted a bleak .111/.111/.111 line in April – that’s right, no walks, no extra base hits, just two singles in 18 total plate appearances. When Fuentes was returned to AAA he never managed to recover his stroke from last year, hitting only .254/.298/.448 overall, despite playing in the offense-friendly PCL.

Despite this regression, Fuentes was brought back to the big club once rosters expanded, where he’s performed slightly better. He hit .270/.289/.541 in September with three homers in only 37 at-bats. Still though, he lacks a clear place to play in the Rockies’ crowded infield and will either have to function as a righty bench bat or repeat AAA yet again.

GRADE: C

Jesus Tinoco

Coors Field is a rough place to learn how to be a big league pitcher, but the 24-year-old Tinoco acquainted himself fairly well in 2019. His 4.75 ERA is good for a 110 ERA+ and an above-replacement 0.2 WAR.

A starter for most of his minor league career, Tinoco was shifted to the bullpen to start this season in a move that has payed positive dividends for both the player and the organization. Tinoco had a 3.97 ERA for Albuquerque over 29 games, showing mid-90’s velocity and a sluvey breaking pitch with some pretty decent spin on it.

On the other hand, his 8.05 FIP and .245 BABIP against are signs that Tinoco may be a candidate for regression. This is particularly true if he doesn’t improve his control, as his 5.66 BB/9 leaves a lot to be desired.

That aside, the former throw-in in the Troy Tulowitzki deal has pitched himself into consideration for a bullpen role next season. Heck, he’s already provided more value for the team than Jose Reyes (-.2 WAR) ever did.

GRADE: B-

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