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Nix is in mix at second

Colorado likes his defense, but proof will be at the plate

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published December 5, 2007 at 12:45 a.m.

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Jayson Nix

Photo by Jeff Gross / Getty Images

Jayson Nix

Ian Stewart

Photo by Tom Kimmell / Special To The Rocky

Ian Stewart

Mark Loretta

Photo by Carlo Allegri / Getty Images

Mark Loretta

Jayson Nix hopes to replace Kazuo Matsui at second base for the Rockies next season.

Photo by Brian Bahr / Getty Images/2005

Jayson Nix hopes to replace Kazuo Matsui at second base for the Rockies next season.

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Jayson Nix is ready for his big-league opportunity.

The Rockies' top selection in the 2001 draft, Nix believes he has played himself into a position to fill the second base void created by the loss of free agent Kazuo Matsui to the Houston Astros.

The Rockies are willing to give him the opportunity, although they are quick to point out they do have other in-house alternatives, including Jamey Carroll, Clint Barmes and Omar Quintanilla and could make position changes for Ian Stewart and Jeff Baker.

Colorado also is window shopping for veteran help, but the most desirable, Chris Burke of Houston, doesn't seem to be within reach. The Rockies also have shown minimal interest in overtures from the agents for Mark Loretta and Marcus Giles.

But Nix fits the Rockies' mind- set more than any other candidate.

"If he ever is ready, it will be now," general manager Dan O'Dowd. "He enjoyed his year at Triple-A and had a big series in an important event (the World Cup). There is no question about his glove. It is a matter of how much is he going to hit."

Nix did hit last month in Taiwan, where he was chosen the Most Outstanding Player in helping the United States win the World Cup for the first time since 1974. On a team filled with high-profile prospects from other organizations, including Evan Longoria of Tampa Bay and Del- wyn Young of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Nix hit .371 and scored 13 runs in 35 at-bats.

That came after a .292 season at Triple-A Colorado Springs, the highest average of his seven minor league seasons. He also had 11 home runs and 58 RBI.

More than anything, Nix drew rave reviews for his defense. Former All-Star third baseman Carney Lansford, a Sky Sox coach last season, said Nix was the best defensive second baseman he has seen.

"I take a lot of pride in my defense," Nix said. "It's something I worked hard on, and I still work on. I enjoy taking groundballs. There's no excuse for not being good defensively. It's something you can work on and get better, and it is something I am still working on to get better."

Marcel Lachemann, a special assistant to O'Dowd and a coach on the World Cup team, said Nix's defense alone provided two of Team USA's nine victories in 10 World Cup games.

"Based off the player I saw in the six games we played to get ready in Arizona and then the 10 games in Taiwan, this young man is ready to establish himself," said Bob Watson, a former major league player, coach and general manager and the head of Team USA. "The professional approach, the focus and the understanding of what it takes to win makes him very special."

For Nix, it's about time.

After the Rockies made him the 44th overall selection in 2001 - he was a supplemental pick after the first round as compensation for Colorado having failed to sign 2000 first-round selection Matt Harrington - Nix figured after his seventh year in pro ball he would be established in the majors, not still looking for a chance to get there.

He was so focused on getting to the majors he opted to spend time with his brother in the rookie Gulf Coast League instead of going on a senior trip when he came out of high school.

But after a season of rookie ball at Casper in 2001, Nix spent a year with each of the Rockies' full- season Single-A affiliates, then two years each at Double-A Tulsa and Colorado Springs.

"At times, it was discouraging for me, but I never lost confidence in myself," Nix said. "I knew I had what it takes. I didn't know where it was going to happen or when, but I knew it would happen.

"I worked hard, and it wasn't going together like I hoped it would. That's discouraging."

Though Nix's work ethic is considered a key to his defensive abilities, there is some belief he has worked too hard at times on his offense instead of allowing his natural abilities to take over.

He is an excellent bunter and has the bat control to advance runners with productive outs. He also has power in the middle of the field, which currently translates into doubles but eventually could turn into 20-something home runs.

"I went through a period for a few years where I had to fight through different stuff and get comfortable," Nix said. "I had different people telling me different things. I had to find my comfort zone and be true to myself and what I can do."

Now it's up to Nix to show the Rockies that he can do the job at the big-league level when he gets the opportunity in the spring.

Second best

When free agent Kazuo Matsui signed with Houston, it opened the Rockies' second base job. There are at least six candidates for the job in the organization and several marginal free agents whose agents have contacted the Rockies. "They can't all try out for second base (in spring training)," manager Clint Hurdle said. "There has to be some type of seeding."

Rockies' second base prospects

FROM WITHIN

* Jayson Nix, the team's top draft pick in 2001. Defensively, he already is among the game's elite. Has run- production potential but needs to be more consistent offensively. Selected Most Outstanding Player of the World Cup, which Team USA won in November for the first time since 1974.

* Jamey Carroll, the team's primary second baseman two years ago. Has a guaranteed contract for $2.3 million. Primarily a utility player during his major league career. Can play second base, shortstop and third base. Being shopped on the trade market.

* Clint Barmes, the team's starting shortstop in 2005 and 2006. Made transition to utility role last season. Also can play outfield. Could be traded.

* Omar Quintanilla, provides a left- handed- hitting alternative for the club. Could be solid protection for Nix. A slick fielder.

* Ian Stewart, one of the top prospects in the organization. A third baseman with big-time power. Worked at second base during the Arizona Instructional League. Likely headed to Triple-A Colorado Springs at least to start 2008, where he could play second and third.

* Jeff Baker, a utility player last season. He played shortstop during his freshman year at Clemson but moved to third as a sophomore when Khalil Greene took over at shortstop. Worked at second base during the Instructional League. Played first base, third base and right field in the majors last season.

FROM THE OUTSIDE

* Chris Burke, Houston. The Astros have talked with the Chicago White Sox about Burke, whom the Rockies attempted to acquire in the Jason Jennings trade last year. Became expendable when the Astros signed Matsui for $16.5 million over three years.

* Mark Loretta, Houston free agent. His agent has been pursuing the Rockies, whose interest is limited unless Carroll is traded. The Astros offered him arbitration, which could land him a $4 million salary, well above the Rockies' interest.

* Marcus Giles, released by Atlanta and San Diego in the past 14 months. His agent has tried to create interest with the Rockies. He is marginal defensively and the offense has faded.

LEFTY OPTIONS

The Rockies have added Arthur Rhodes and Glendon Rusch to their list of potential left-handed rehab projects who could fill a bullpen void.

Rhodes underwent reconstructive left elbow surgery in April, and Rusch missed last season because of a blood clot in a lung.

The Rockies plan to send scouts to watch both pitchers work out, in addition to Brian Anderson, who hasn't pitched in the majors since May 2005.

Currently, Brian Fuentes is the only left-handed reliever set in the bullpen.

DEALING

The Rockies picked up strong-but- erratic right- handed reliever Jose Capellan from Detroit for reliever Denny Bautista, who has had similar traits.

"Maybe a change of scenery will help both," general manager Dan O'Dowd said. "(In 2006) Capellan had a pretty good year for Milwaukee in a middle reliever role. With (Matt) Herges, (Ramon) Ramirez and Ryan (Speier) we are trying to add some depth for our right-handed bullpen situation.''

Capellan balked at reporting to the minors out of spring training and wound up splitting 2007 between Triple-A and the majors with the Brewers and Tigers. He was 0-3 with a 5.54 ERA in 17 major league appearances.

QUICKLY

* The Rockies offered infielder Clint Barmes to Houston for second baseman Chris Burke, who has been pushed aside by the Astros signing Kazuo Matsui.

* Larry Reynolds, agent for pitcher LaTroy Hawkins, will meet with the Rockies to see if they will reconsider giving Hawkins a multiyear offer. Reynolds is talking with several teams, including Detroit, but has indicated he would like to return to the Rockies if they will go past a one-year guarantee.

* The Rockies have been a popular target for the agents of second basemen. The agent for Tadahito Iguchi has been in touch with O'Dowd along with those of Mark Loretta and Marcus Giles, but Philadelphia general manager Pat Gillick, who has interest in Iguchi as a third baseman, said he was told "apparently Iguchi doesn't want to go to Colorado."

Comments

  • December 5, 2007

    12:09 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    warrengfunk7 writes:

    The Rockies need to resign Jeremy Afeldt, he is getting better and can really solidify that bullpen for years to come. I say give the guy a 3-4 year contract - he's going to be 28 years old next season. Lock him up through his prime years!