Colorado Rockies: Nolan Arenado on facing German Marquez on Sunday, legitimacy of season

Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado spoke with the media on Sunday, including Rox Pile, after the second day of workouts.

Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado had an interesting day on Sunday as he had the chance to face some big pitching on the second day of training for the Rockies. It was a bit of a different thing for him since, usually in Spring Training, he doesn’t face some of the best pitchers in baseball early. That was a bit different on Sunday as he faced German Marquez.

Arenado spoke with the media, including Rox Pile, a few moments ago and he said that he felt like he is doing well physically but he thinks he needs more work on a few other things.

“From a physical standpoint, I’m ready,” said Arenado. “There’s no doubt about that. I’m ready to go. But as timing and pitchers and recongizing and all that, I still have some time to go with that. I’ve still gotta get better there but today was a good step…I was excited to face live (pitching) again…It was good to see a good guy like that right away.”

However, the pitch and location recognition worked on at least one pitch on Sunday when Marquez had a ball slip away from him and it came close to Arenado’s head but Arenado was able to avoid it.

“It was good to get checked up and in again,” said Arenado. “You obviously don’t want to get thrown at up near there but it happens. Denver’s dry and the ball gets a little slippery but, honestly, I was able to get out of the way and I think that it’s a good sign for me that I’m… [able] to recognize that it’s coming near me and I was able to move. [In] early BP’s, it’s kind of hard to get away from the ball because you don’t see the ball very good and I was able to see it pretty good there and thank God I was able to get out of the way but it was good to get checked. It was good to get that one out of the way.”

You can check out the video of the ball getting away from Marquez below.

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The legitimacy of the 2020 season

One of the other things that Arenado discussed was the legitimacy of the 2020 season since it will be shortened by 102 games. It has been a debate among fans, particularly on social media.

Arenado says that he gets both sides of it but he is on one side of it.

“I understand both arguments,” said Arenado. “162 is a lot more than 60…I get that but this is what it is this year. This is what it is. If you have a chance to win the World Series and get to the playoffs, then I’m all about it. I think it’s legitimate. I mean, we are here. If it wasn’t legitimate, I think a lot of guys wouldn’t be here. It counts and I want to win. The goal is always to win and there’s a chance to win a World Series [this year] and I think that should be the goal.”

That 60-game schedule may benefit the Rockies, who are known for their hot starts to seasons and falling off a bit as the season goes on. Most projections give the Rockies a low chance of making the playoffs but it is still more than it was in a shortened season.

However, the Rockies have been above .500 in each of the last three seasons at the 60 game mark. That should put them right in the thick of having a Rocktober to remember in a just a few months.