Go to the mobile version of this Web site.

Login | Contact Us | Site Map | Paid archives | Electronic edition | Subscription Questions | Extras

Rockies' Barmes reaches armistice

Second baseman prospect 'at peace' in battle with self

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published March 13, 2008 at 6:22 p.m.

Text size  
The Rockies' Clint Barmes, making a tag on Kansas City's Ryan Shealy, has newfound confidence. "I've never been this comfortable," the former starting shortstop said of his situation.

Photo by Chris Carlson / Associated Press

The Rockies' Clint Barmes, making a tag on Kansas City's Ryan Shealy, has newfound confidence. "I've never been this comfortable," the former starting shortstop said of his situation.

More Colorado Rockies

More stories »

TUCSON - Clint Barmes has found a comfort zone this spring training.

He is among six candidates for the Rockies' starting second base job, but he doesn't seem to have a worry in the world. He has reached a point where he realizes he is a major league player and it is up to other people to decide where he is going to play.

And it shows.

"He is at peace with what he needs to do," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "He is still a competitor, but he is calmer in a lot of areas."

He figures to be a key factor in the Rockies' effort to defend the National League title this year, whether he's the second baseman or the super sub who provides the Rockies with a player capable of starting at any position except catcher or pitcher.

And he has the ability to take over at shortstop or second base on a long-term basis if a need arises.

This spring training, he already had played second, first, third and shortstop, then he moved into center field for the first time this year in the late innings of the Rockies' 6-6, 10-inning tie with Texas at Hi Corbett Field on Thursday.

"I've never been this comfortable," Barmes said. "I understand my swing and what I need to do offensively. I play both sides of the game together better. Last year was good for me."

That's easy for Barmes to say now. A year ago, it was a challenge. The Rockies' Opening Day shortstop in 2005 and 2006, he lost that job to Troy Tulowitzki.

"That is not a problem," Barmes said. "He has earned everything he has. He showed what he was capable of doing last year. I understand that."

But in addition to losing the job that had been his, Barmes found himself at Triple-A Colorado Springs when the season started. He made two brief in-season appearances with the Rockies, then spent September in the majors.

The bulk of the time, though, he was with the Sky Sox, earning Triple-A Pacific Coast League honors, but more importantly, learning about himself.

"I struggled early, but I needed to go there," Barmes said. "I learned to relax and let the game come to me. I am not trying to force things to happen. I didn't want to be there, but when I look back, I know I needed to be there."

Now Barmes isn't sure where he will be next month, but he's not concerned. He could be traded to a team that wants him as a starting shortstop. He could be the Rockies' starting second baseman. He could be a utility player.

There are conflicting emotions for Barmes.

"I believe I'm an everyday shortstop and I want to play every day somewhere," Barmes said. "But, obviously, if I don't win the second base job, (utility) is the role I will have. I can play other positions. There's nothing I can't do without a little work. I'm not going to hate it. I'm not saying I want out if I don't start.

"I love this team. I love this organization. These are the players I have grown up with in professional baseball."

The growing up has had its ups and downs for Barmes, the Rockies' 10th-round selection in the 2000 draft - the same draft that produced third baseman Garrett Atkins in the fifth round and right fielder Brad Hawpe in the 11th round.

Barmes made a steady climb through the farm system, then got that everyday opportunity in 2005, which began with Barmes hitting a walk-off, two-run home run off San Diego closer Trevor Hoffman in the ninth inning on Opening Day.

But in the first week of June, he slipped while carrying deer meat up the stairs at his Denver residence, broke his collarbone and was sidelined for three months.

He was back as the Rockies' regular shortstop in 2006, but it was a struggle. He hit .220 and opened the door for Tulowitzki.

"I got the opportunity after the injury, but I hit .220," he said. "Clint stuck with me. He gave my every opportunity. It was my fault."

Now Barmes is looking for another opportunity, whether it's as a regular or off the bench.

The difference is, this time, Barmes says, he is ready to handle the challenge: "The experience has given me a chance to know myself."

OVERCROWDED

Seventeen days from Opening Day, the Rockies are starting to see if there is a market for players in areas where they have a surplus.

Word among scouts is the names of outfielder Cory Sullivan and right-hander Ramon Ramirez are being mentioned.

Sullivan and Scott Podsednik are battling for the final roster spot. Sullivan is the better defensive outfielder, but Podsednik provides a speed factor no Rockies player other than Willy Taveras possesses.

The Rockies bullpen is crowded with five of seven spots filled - Manny Corpas, Luis Vizcaino, Brian Fuentes, Matt Herges and Taylor Buchholz. Ryan Speier and Ramirez have made strong bids during spring training, but if the Rockies wanted to keep another left-hander and if they put Kip Wells into the bullpen if he doesn't make the rotation, there wouldn't be room.

Ramirez is out of options.

NUMBERS GAME

8 Rockies players have appeared at second base during spring training, including Jayson Nix, who appeared in his 10th game and made his eighth start Thursday. Marcus Giles has made six appearances (five starts); Jeff Baker, five appearances (two starts); Clint Barmes, four appearances (one start); Ian Stewart, five appearances (one start); Omar Quintanilla, four appearances (two starts); and Jonathan Herrera made his second base debut Thursday as a reserve.

QUICKLY

* Todd Helton hit his first home run of spring training, a two-run shot in a five-run fourth inning.

* Matt Holliday doubled and singled. He's hitting .414 in spring training and leads with team with 12 hits.

* Right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez pitched four strong innings, but he gave up four runs in the fifth inning with a rally that began with Holliday losing an Ian Kinsler flyball in the bright Arizona sky. The next four batters got a hit, including Hank Blalock's three-run home run.

FRIDAY'S GAME

* Rockies (Franklin Morales) vs. Mariners (Miguel Batista), Peoria (Ariz.) Stadium, 2:05 p.m. MDT. No TV or radio.

* Also scheduled to pitch for the Rockies: Micah Bowie, Matt Herges, Juan Morillo and Ramon Ramirez.

Rangers 6, Rockies 6

Texas ab r h bi Colorado ab r h bi

Kinsler 2b 3 1 1 0 Podsednik cf 2 0 0 0

Vazquez 2b 1 0 0 0 Baker rf 2 0 0 0

Catalanotto lf 1 0 0 0 Sullivan rf 3 1 1 0

Botts ph-lf 3 0 1 1 Smith lf 1 0 0 0

Mench lf 2 0 1 0 Herrera pr-2b 0 0 0 0

Young ss 4 2 3 0 Helton 1b 3 1 1 2

Lemon ss 1 0 0 0 Koshansky 1b 1 0 0 0

Hamilton cf 3 1 3 1 Holliday lf 3 1 2 0

Ellison cf 1 0 0 0 Fuentes p 0 0 0 0

Blalock 3b 4 1 1 3 Rose c 2 1 2 0

Alfonzo 3b 1 0 1 0 Stewart 3b 2 1 0 0

Broussard 1b 3 0 0 0 George p 0 0 0 0

Loe p 0 0 0 0 Barker ph 1 0 0 0

Mahar ph 1 0 0 0 Koronka p 0 0 0 0

JDavis p 0 0 0 0 Torrealba c 3 1 1 2

Rupe p 0 0 0 0 Corpas p 0 0 0 0

Fox ph 0 0 0 0 Kata ph-3b 2 0 1 0

Madrigal p 0 0 0 0 Quintanilla ss 4 0 1 2

Mathis p 0 0 0 0 Nix 2b 2 0 0 0

Murphy rf 3 1 1 1 Barmes 2b-cf 2 0 1 0

Cruz rf 1 0 1 0 Jimenez p 1 0 0 0

Melhuse c 4 0 0 0 Newman p 0 0 0 0

Stewart c 1 0 0 0 Spilborghs lf 3 0 0 0

Mendoza p 1 0 0 0

Shoemaker p 0 0 0 0

Roberts ph 1 0 0 0

Gold 1b 3 0 1 0

Totals 42 6 14 6 Totals 37 6 10 6

Texas100 041 000 0 - 6 14 0

Colorado000 500 010 0 - 6 10 0

DP - Colorado 1. LOB - Texas 11, Colorado 9. 2B - Hamilton 2, Young, Kinsler, Gold, Torrealba, Holliday, Kata. HR - Blalock, Murphy, Helton. CS - Botts, Herrera. S - Fox, Jimenez. SF - Quintanilla.

Texas IP H R ER BB SO

Mendoza 31/3 5 5 5 1 1

Shoemaker 2/3 0 0 0 1 0

Loe 2 1 0 0 0 0

JDavis 1 0 0 0 0 1

Rupe 1 2 1 1 0 0

Madrigal 1 1 0 0 2 1

Mathis 1 1 0 0 0 1

Colorado IP H R ER BB SO

Jimenez 42/3 8 5 5 2 6

Newman 1/3 0 0 0 0 1

Fuentes 2 3 1 1 1 2

Corpas 1 1 0 0 1 2

George 1 2 0 0 0 0

Koronka 1 0 0 0 0 1

HBP - by Mendoza (Nix), by Rupe (Stewart).

T - 3:16. A - 4,171.

Comments

  • March 14, 2008

    3 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    warrengfunk7 writes:

    Oh my god...
    Ramon Ramirez might very well be on his way to returning to his 2006 form and the Rockies are worried more about keeping Kip Wells? Am I missing something here? Ramon could put the Rockies bullpen into the elite part of the stratosphere.

    It's plain and simply, kip Wells was signed as insurance in case Morales wasn't ready. If Morales is ready (I think he is), then Kip Wells isn't needed. That doesn't mean trade Ramon Ramirez and but Kip Wells in the Bullpen, that means put Ramon Ramirez in the bullpen and trade or release Kip Wells.

    And I will be pissed if Spier isn't kept in the bullpen as well. They have Mark Redman and Fuentes for lefties. If they need another bullpen lefty, they should have taken my advice and did what was needed to sign Jeremy Affeldt. I guess he wanted to be a starter though. I saw much improvement in him last season and he is in his prime.

  • March 14, 2008

    9:26 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    brian8065 writes:

    If Rameriz is out of options, and the choice is Rameriz or Wells, how could you possibly pick Wells? Certainly the Rockies see this don't they?