Spring Training Notebook: The future is Tovar... and so is the present

Even if you haven’t examined the prospect rankings for the Colorado Rockies’ farm system, you know the name Ezequiel Tovar from his stellar play this spring. 

Recently named the sixth-best prospect in the Rockies organization by MLB Pipeline, Tovar has shot up the rankings on nearly every list since the start of last season.

“He played well in Fresno, had a little bit of a struggle in Spokane,” manager Bud Black said of Tovar. “He’s young, but he’s got a lot of talent.”

Playing against competition nearly four years older than him in High-A, the 20-year-old still managed to hold his own and add to an already impressive stat line.

He was one of only five Rockies’ minor leaguers to slug at least 15 home runs and steal 20 or more bases; he also tied top prospect Zac Veen for youngest in that group. 

The Venezuelan shortstop was acquired by Colorado during the 2017-18 international signing period and spent only one year in the Dominican Summer League before coming to the U.S. at only 17-years-old in 2019. 

Friday’s game was the 20-year-old’s second consecutive with a home run. He leads the club with three and no other player on the club has even broken through with their second. 

“Wasn’t that great?” Black asked the media following Thursday’s power display. “He’s showing something for a young kid. Good for him. He’s handling it well. He’s doing great.”

It hasn’t exactly been seamless, but you’d never know it based on the ease in which Tovar is having such success so early in his first big league camp.

“I’m not going to lie,” he said through interpreter Andy González, one of the team’s two assistant hitting coaches. “At the beginning, I was a little anxious and nervous. As the days go on, I’ve been feeling more comfortable. Guys in the clubhouse are helping me feel more comfortable. Right now, I’m enjoying my time.”

In the offseason, Tovar didn’t have the luxury of working with current and former professional ballplayers in Venezuela. He worked hard and was able to put seven pounds of muscle on his 6’0″ frame.

Another challenge: dropping the left-side of his switch-hitting approach.

“Right now, I only have to concentrate and keep focus on one side of the plate,” Tovar shared following another multi-hit performance. “If I would have stayed a switch-hitter, then there would be two sides to worry about. I feel comfortable. I think it’s the right move.”

Current Rockies’ shortstop José Iglesias is signed for only the 2022 season. If Tovar continues to make impressive strides, its not beyond the realm of possibility to see him on the Opening Day roster in 2023. He could join the likes of several great shortstops in franchise history.

That could be a lot of hype for a player who can’t even celebrate his success with a bottle of champagne.

So, first, let’s just worry about Double-A Hartford.

Thursday: 6-6, vs. Dodgers, Tie

Even if you’re not a fan of all the new rules changes Major League Baseball has instituted in recent years, be thankful ties have not been adopted. In Spring Training though, there are dinner reservations to keep.

Antonio Senzatela threw 55 pitches on this day, albeit against a group of minor leaguers from the Oakland Athletics organization. This way, the Dodgers don’t get an advanced look at one of the Rockies top starters ahead of their Opening Weekend matchup at Coors Field. 

As has been the way in many of these Cactus League contests, Colorado’s minor leaguers scored in bunches late in the game. On Thursday, it was two runs in the seventh and three in the ninth.

Brendan Rodgers knocked his first double since returning from back tightness that forced him from a game last weekend. Lucas Gilbreath worked a scoreless inning, striking out one and giving up a solitary single. 

https://twitter.com/RoxGifsVids/status/1507103382481391629

D.J. Peterson, likely ticketed to play first base in Triple-A to start the season, doubled and homered to help force the draw. 

Friday: 17-1 @ Cubs, Win

Facing Chicago’s fourth starter on a day when Kris Bryant didn’t debut as a visiting player for the first time at Sloan Park, the Rockies came through with a barrage of runs.

Every member of the starting lineup recorded a hit except one and seven had at least one RBI.

Tovar’s day at the plate included a two-run home run in the second. After eight games this spring, Tovar leads the club in runs scored (5), home runs (3), hits (9), RBI (6) and all three slash stats for those with at least five at bats: batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage (.563/.563/1.188).

SS Ezequiel Tovar, two-run home run. He has three dingers and is batting .643 with a 2.000 OPS.

Anyone else impressed by this 20-year-old? 👀
https://t.co/YSJj1oY6nh

— DNVR Rockies (@DNVR_Rockies) March 25, 2022

C.J. Cron led the way with three doubles and two runs batted in.

Brendan Rodgers, Connor Joe, Elehuris Montero, Coco Montes and Hunter Stovall all chipped in with home runs. 

Germán Márquez was solid in his debut, going three shutout innings. He walked two and gave up two hits while striking out four Cubbies. 

Justin Lawrence, Daniel Bard and Tyler Kinley each worked a scoreless frame.