Colorado Rockies spring training notebook: Rodgers, Hannah, Rodriguez

There was plenty not to like in the Colorado Rockies’ 10-0 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday afternoon at Camelback Ranch.

However, among the early statistics getting plenty of attention are the errors committed by Brendan Rodgers, who is battling to win the starting job at second base this spring. Monday’s second-inning error was the second in as many days for Rodgers.

While Colorado’s infield defense will be under the microscope more than perhaps ever before with Nolan Arenado now wearing a St. Louis Cardinals uniform, two games into the spring training schedule doesn’t tell us too much about how the season is going to play out.

While Rodgers has looked shaky early on, the key part in that sentence is “early.” As the calendar has just turned to March, there is still plenty of time for Rodgers to cast off any rust that comes from previous injuries and lineup shake-ups that have afforded him just 102 plate appearances over the last two seasons.

In the words of another Rodgers (Aaron), relax Rockies fans. Given regular playing time and the freedom to grow into his role in a season where little is expected of the team, we fully expect Rodgers to bloom.

Here is what else is catching our eye from Colorado Rockies spring training.

Building the relationship

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Count new Rockies pitcher Dereck Rodriguez among the fans of Colorado catcher Elias Diaz. The two seem to have connected early in camp and were the starting battery for Monday’s outing against the Dodgers.

Rodriguez, inked by the Rockies to a minor league deal on November 9, allowed two runs on two hits (including a home run) with no walks and one strikeout in his Colorado debut.

"“I felt really comfortable with (Elias) Diaz. He’s caught my bullpens. This is the third time I’ve thrown to him and and I felt really comfortable throwing to him,” Rodriguez said. “I really like throwing to him. Every single time you get a new catcher, it’s a whole new process of getting used to each other and and trying to be on the same page. I feel like the last sim(ulated) game that I threw with him and even today, I felt like we were on a good page.”"

What we’re liking early on

It’s not the trade that everyone is talking about, but that Rockies swap with the Cincinnati Reds is providing some good highlights early on in Colorado camp.

Jameson Hannah, entering the season as Colorado’s 14th-ranked prospect, was part of the deal from Cincinnati in the trade that also brought over pitcher Robert Stephenson for pitcher Jeff Hoffman and pitching prospect Case Williams. The 23-year-old Hannah showcased his bat in the spring opener, going 1-for-2 against Arizona, and then showed off his defensive skills from center field on Monday against the Dodgers with a pair of nice catches.

Next up

After an off day for the Rockies on Tuesday, Ryan Castellani will take the mound for Colorado when Oakland pays a visit to Salt River Fields. Castellani is among the pitchers looking to secure the fifth rotation spot for the Rockies in 2021.

No local television or radio is scheduled, but you can see which Rockies games will be broadcast later in spring here.