N.L. West

Sporting News, The, Sept 20, 1999

Fixing the Rockies

Colorado's new G.M. had better love a challenge, because that's what it's going to be to turn the Rockies back into contenders. The new boss won't have much flexibility, though, because many of the team's players are locked into long-term contracts. Here are three areas where the team could use a boost:

Speed in center field: The team traded Darryl Hamilton because it needs someone who can cover more of Coors Field's vast outfield. Though rookie Edgard Clemente has filled in at center, he is better suited for left or right. Minor leaguer Derrick Gibson is another option, but he struggled defensively in center in the minors and strikes out too much.

Catcher: Kirt Manwaring, Jeff Reed and Henry Blanco have combined for 46 RBIs this season--the fourth-lowest team total for catchers in the N.L. They haven't made up for their offensive shortcomings with defensive wizardry; opponents have stolen 276 bases against Colorado, the third-highest total in the league. The team hopes top prospect Ben Petrick, who was among the September call-ups, can move into the starting role next season.

Lefthanded relievers: After trading Chuck McElroy to the Mets July 31, the top lefties out of the bullpen have been Roberto Ramirez (8.91 ERA) and Mike Porzio (9.28 ERA). The team will have to go outside the organization to find a veteran lefty reliever for late-inning situations. --Jared Hoffman

Arizona

85-57: 1st

Swindell is emerging as the top setup man

LHP Greg Swindell finally faltered last week when he gave up a three-run homer, his first runs allowed in 13 appearances since returning from the D.L. June 28. During that stretch, opposing batters hit .146 (7-for-48) against Swindell, who has become the team's primary setup man.... RHP Todd Stottlemyre decided not to have surgery on a severely torn rotator cuff, opting instead for intense rehabilitation, so he could return this season. Manager Buck Showalter will have three weeks to determine whether Stottlemyre should be in the team's postseason rotation.... First-round draft pick Corey Myers started in the Pioneer League playoffs for the rookie club in Missoula, Mont., at third base instead of shortstop.

SPEED RACER: Dante Powell seldom plays, but his role is dear: run fast. Powell, probably the team's second fastest player after Tony Womack, could make the postseason roster as a pinch runner.... Since Andy Fox pulled a muscle in his rib cage, Hanley Frias has been playing shortstop. Frias, who expects to play a vital role down the stretch, is nimble enough in the field, but his offense disappears at times.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Brian Anderson has returned to the bullpen and started to erase the memory of the first month of the season when he compiled an 8.00 ERA. Anderson, who has been entering close games as early as the fifth inning, has become the club's primary long reliever. He has improved his mechanics and become more comfortable coming out of the bullpen. Anderson pitched well out of Cleveland's bullpen in the 1997 playoffs, and Showalter could be hoping for similar numbers from him this postseason. --Pedro Gomez

GRADING OUT

OFFENSE B

Lost a game last week when scoring eight runs was not enough.

PITCHING C

The bullpen, one of the league's best, had its worst week in nearly two months.

DEFENSE B

They are making plays, but their range has been suspect for most of the season.

                            DIAMONDBACKS

                  AVG     G    AB     R     H   HR   RBI

(*) Klassen     1.000     1     1     0     1    0     0
Gonzalez( )      .338   136   547   104   185   24    97
Colbrunn         .315    58   108    13    34    3    20
Williams         .308   140   569    91   175   34   130
(*) Durazo( )    .305    35   105    20    32    9    18
Harris( )        .301    97   166    15    50    0    15
Gilkey           .286    84   182    25    52    7    28
Bell             .277   135   528   114   146   34    99
Miller           .274    79   277    31    76    8    42
Womack( )        .273   127   539   100   147    3    35
(*) Frias(#)     .263    51    95    17    25    0    11
Finley( )        .261   139   525    85   137   30    93
(*) Ryan( )      .261    14    23     4     6    2     4
Fox( )           .260    91   254    28    66    5    31
Lee( )           .236   112   364    55    86    9    50
Stinnett         .219    77   251    28    55   12    34
Ward(#)          .209    49    91     2    19    0     8
(*) Powell       .200    16    20     2     4    0     1
Young            .000     2     1     0     0    0     0

                  OBP     SLG   SB     K     B    E

(*) Klassen     1.000   1.000    0     0     0    0
Gonzalez( )      .405    .561    8    60    58    5
Colbrunn         .397    .472    0    20    12    0
Williams         .346    .554    2    85    35    9
(*) Durazo( )    .380    .571    1    32    13    0
Harris( )        .326    .373    2     6     6    9
Gilkey           .371    .484    1    34    26    3
Bell             .359    .536    6   120    70   20
Miller           .319    .430    0    73    17    6
Womack( )        .330    .362   65    59    47    4
(*) Frias(#)     .375    .295    3    14    17    3
Finley( )        .332    .520    6    86    55    2
(*) Ryan( )      .292    .565    0     8     1    0
Fox( )           .357    .382    3    59    31   13
Lee( )           .337    .365   17    46    57    3
Stinnett         .285    .410    1    76    19    5
Ward(#)          .311    .231    2     9    13    2
(*) Powell       .273    .350    1     4     2    1
Young            .500    .000    0     1     1    0