Outfielder Zac Veen and catcher Drew Romo, two of the Rockies’ prized prospects, were sent down to minor league camp on Tuesday.
They impressed, big-time, during spring training but they still have a lot of tuning up before they are big-league-ready.
When reporters asked manager Bud Black if either player could make their big-league debuts this season, Black answered: “I could potentially see it happen. But both of those guys have a number of things to take care of, to clean up, to polish, for sure. But their skill level can compete at the major league level.”
Black added that both Veen and Romo are not ready to be consistent, everyday major league players.
“Are they equipped to play 30, 40, 60, 100 games? I don’t know. Not right now. That’s why they are in the minors,” Black said.
In 20 Cactus League games, Veen slashed .271/.314/.375 with one home run, two doubles and eight stolen bases. Romo played in 13 games, slashing .421/.450/.579 with one double and one triple.
Position battles: Right-hander Ryan Feltner, the presumptive fifth starter, has not had a good camp. In four games (12 innings), he’s posted a 10.50 ERA with a 2.17 WHIP, .408 average against and three homers allowed.
“I want to see more consistent pitches being thrown,” Black told reporters. “We have identified a couple of things as far as his pitch mix that we are trying to simplify. Sometimes pitchers with an expansive (repertoire) can get in trouble.”
Looking ahead: The Rockies played a night game against the Padres Tuesday night at Peoria. The Rockies are scheduled to host the Angels at 1:10 p.m. Wednesday (2:10 p.m. MDT) at Salt River Fields.
Rockies upcoming pitchers: RHP Jose Urena, RHP Pierce Johnson, RHP Dinelson Lamet, RHP Justin Lawrence, LHP Brad Hand, RHP Connor Seabold.
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