With just a week and a half remaining on what is pacing to be one of the five worst seasons in franchise history, and with eight of their last 11 games against playoff teams from this year or last year, it’s time for the Rockies to throw in the towel and commit 100 percent to seeing if these three prospects can deliver at the Major League level.
Alternatively, there are players that need to be shelved for the rest of the season – possibly longer.
Two Up: Cristhian Adames
With Troy Tulowitzki now playing playoff baseball in Toronto, Colorado has some decisions to make at shortstop. Jose Reyes has proved to be better than expected, but he’s made it clear he doesn’t want to play for a loser. Colorado needs to move him before his age surpasses his trade value.
Meanwhile, there is a growing back-log at shortstop. Cristhian Adames has seen action in 18 games now and is proving he can field the position at the Major League level. But can he hit there? That’s what Walt Weiss needs to find out. Nipping at Adames’ heels is Trevor Story, who spent half the year at Triple-A Albuquerque and can play short, second or third. Story struggles defensively and hitting for average, but he hit in the three-spot for the ‘Topes and provides far more pop than Adames.
With bats like Blackmon, Arenado, Gonzalez, LeMahieu, Paulsen and (hopeully) Dickerson in the lineup next year, the Rockies may be able to get away with a light-hitting shortstop. But Adames needs to cut down on his strikeouts and show he can get on base and play station-to-station baseball.
