Hits
Wilin Rosario
The positive reviews on Rosario keep coming in, and he continues backing those up with outstanding results. This afternoon against a solid veteran right-hander in Gavin Floyd, Rosario went 3-for-3 — raising his spring average to .471 — including a double, RBI and two runs scored. He also nailed the only attempted base stealer, Alejandro De Aza — 12 steals in 54 games last season — and helped steer the Jamie Moyer ship on a day when he clearly didn't have it.
It all adds up to another encouraging day for Rosario.
Misses
Rafael Betancourt
He's had a rough spring and he couldn't finish the one inning Jim Tracy asked him to throw today (retired one but loaded the bases). That's concerning. He appears to be healthy, though, so that's good news. But what if he's setting up for a slow start to the season? That would be bad news. But he's also a veteran, so he could just as easily flip the switch and hit the ground running when it counts.
How's that for non-analysis analysis?
Esmil Rogers
Edgmer Escalona — scoreless inning and two-thirds — continued his surge upward while Rogers took a step back this afternoon — 1 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, K. I still think Rogers has the edge if the two are battling for the same roster spot (he's out of options), but you can bet Escalona isn't going away. Also, the Rockies are committed to Alex White in the bullpen and White is committing to making the team any way he can.
Bottom line: Rogers has to rebound and stay sharp the final week. Given his consistency issues, that could be a problem for him, and could give the Rockies headaches when making their final decisions.
Got Their Work In
Jamie Moyer
4 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 3 BB, 4 K
Credit Moyer. He didn't have it today. He was a mess from the first batter — plunked De Aza — and constantly flirted with disaster. But the key is, he never let it become a disaster. He didn't make a lot of great pitches today, but he didn't make the pitch that completely took himself and his team out of the game. That's important.
Now, with that said, this is probably what Moyer will be most of the time during the regular season. A lot of traffic. A lot of flirting with disaster. A lot of holding our breath as fans. I guess that's not a lot unlike Jason Hammel, so if you weren't a Hammel fan, maybe you should start holding your breath right about now.
Dexter Fowler
Was today's home run the big swing he needed to get on track?
I have no idea. I just know he hit a home run from the left side in between a pair of strikeouts from the left side. Since we couldn't see the game, I can't tell if you if the swing was a good one, or just another awkward looking uppercut that resulted in "hey, look, I hit one".
I actually would have been more encouraged by a 2-for-4 day with two singles (maybe an opposite field hits) than 1-for-4 with a home run, but I guess I'll take it and continue hoping his swing shows up before July.
Oh, yeah, and the score in case you're wondering
The Rockies touched up Gavin Floyd for eight runs in five plus innings and held on to defeat the Chicago White Sox 8-5.
What's next
The final week of spring training begins with a visit to the Cleveland Indians spring facility. We know Ubaldo Jimenez and Drew Pomeranz won't throwing against their former organizations, but it's possible both Ryan Spilborghs and Alex White will see action, so that adds a little intrigue. No video or audio will be available in Colorado, but you can log on MLB.com or At Bat to listen to the Cleveland radio broadcast beginning at 2:05 MT.
More Rockies thoughts await you if you follow me on Twitter: @Townie813
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