The Rockies new "weapon" off the bench may force Adames or Amarista out

DENVER – One of the biggest holes for the Colorado Rockies in 2017 has been right-handed power off the bench. With the injury to Ian Desmond and Mark Reynolds bump into the starting lineup, the Rockies have been left with rookie Stephen Cardullo as their main bench bat. Cardullo is nice because he can play first and the corner outfield spots but he hasn’t and won’t blow anyone away with his bat or glove.

Cardullo is not the problem. He’s a nice bench piece just not who you want to be your primary pinch hitter.

The Rockies other issue has been filling in the spot vacated by Desmond, for which Reynolds has done a nice job but the corresponding moves have left the team a bit short at the time. The club may have found an answer for both of those issues, the problem is, it will most likely come at the expense of Cristhian Adames or Alexi Amarista.

Enter: Pat Valaika.

The Rockies ninth-round pick in the 2013 draft out of UCLA, now 24, is in his second stint with the big club. Last year he joined the team at the tail end of the season for a cup of coffee, obtaining only 19 plate appearances.

But fresh off a cycle in Triple-A and a hot Spring Training Valaika could fill a much-needed role for the Rockies.

“Pat like Cristhian (Adames), can play all three infield positions and first base,” Bud Black said. “Neither have a lot of time over there (at first) but in a pinch, we can get them over there. We like the bat he has off the bench, I liked him in Spring Training when I first put my eyes him. He gives you a real nice at bat, came off the bench last night and lined a bullet to second right at (Joe) Panik, that was a bummer. We like the way he swings it, gives us a weapon off the bench.”

He OPS’d .729 in 11 games with the ‘Topes this year, which is pretty good for a utility infielder.

“Got off to a good start,” Valaika said. “Carried it over in spring, I felt like I had a good spring. It was nice to go from spring and just carry overtaking good at-bats.”

In 2016 before his call up he split time between Double-A and Triple-A where he played 136 games, 108 for Hartford. In those contests he slashed .257/.297/.425 with 14 home runs, four triples and 41 doubles, driving in 80 runs in the process.

“I don’t worry too much about that (separating myself,)” Valaika said. “I think each one of us has different skill sets, or are better at different things so it depends on the situation and we have some good options off the bench.”

Indeed Valaika has flashed much higher talent than Adames and Amarista. With his ability to play the infield (at least 69 games at each spot) and the Rockies being insistent on having eight bullpen arms, something is going to give soon. That date could be Tuesday when it is speculated the Rockies will make their rotation once more a five-man staff, replacing the injured Jon Gray.

It is likely one of Adames, Amarista or Valaika will not be with Colorado come next week.

Adames in four years with Colorado has hit just .208 across 162 games of action (339 plate appearances.) Meanwhile, Amarista is a career .230 hitter across his seven big league seasons. All three players have roughly the same glove it’s a matter of whether the Rockies are willing to expose Adames or Amarista to other teams or to be without Valaika in Colorado.

“Yeah, versatility, there is a lot of versatile guys here,” Valaika said. “You have to be ready whenever your opportunity comes and be prepared.”

Which versatile guy will the Rockies roll without? Find out next week.