Colorado Rockies notebook: Five things we learned from Bud Black and interim GM Bill Schmidt today

Rockies interim GM Bill Schmidt on the term “rebuild”

When Nolan Arenado was traded this offseason, Rockies fans and media read the tea leaves and said that it looked like the Rockies were rebuilding. Nolan Arenado said himself that he thought the Rockies organization looked like they were rebuilding.

However, Dick Monfort and then-GM Jeff Bridich said that they didn’t believe that they were in a rebuild and Monfort even said that he thought that they had an “exceptionally talented team.”

Thus far in 2021, the Rockies have, once again, not shown that on the field, after they went 71-91 in 2019, 26-34 in 2020, and, entering Wednesday, had the worst record in the National League at 11-19.

But the Rockies still do not believe they are in a rebuild, according to Schmidt.

"“I wouldn’t use the term ‘rebuild,'” said Schmidt. “I think there are pieces here that can help us going forward. We’re always going to be a ‘draft, sign, and develop’ organization. That’s who we are. There’s going to be players that come and go but we’re going to rely on the majority of our players are going to be acquired through international (signings and) the (Amateur) Draft.”"

Black on Kyle Freeland, Yency Almonte, and Brendan Rodgers injuries

Before Schmidt spoke, Rockies manager Bud Black provided a few updates on things, including injury updates on Kyle Freeland, Yency Almonte, and Brendan Rodgers

Black said that he was “encouraged” by Freeland and Almonte’s simulated games on Tuesday. Freeland threw two innings and Almonte threw a 16-pitch simulated inning. Rodgers also faced them in their simulated games.

All three will travel with the team to St. Louis this weekend to have simulated games and ABs and if all goes well for Freeland and Rodgers in those this weekend, they would be sent out on minor-league rehab assignments.