Spring Takeaways: Young Pitching Impresses in Games Against Rockies
I didn’t have time to write up game recaps for the games against the Rockies, but fear not VenomStrikes readers, I do have some thoughts about the games that took place on Wednesday and Thursday at Salt River Fields, and I will share them with you now.
Wednesday: Dbacks-6 Rockies-2
Rubby De La Rosa made his spring debut for the Diamondbacks hoping to earn a leg up in the battle for the final three rotation spots.
De La Rosa did just that on his 26th birthday tossing two scoreless innings. He struck out two, and yielded a unplayable infield single.
He experienced his first test of the season in the second inning, after getting Colorado to go down in order 1-2-3 in the first.
Willin Rosario hit a slow roller that was unplayable to lead off the inning. Then Brandon Barnes hit into what should have been an easy double play, but third basemen Jake Lamb booted it for an E5, and suddenly their were two on with nobody out.
Rockies DH Ryan Casteel quickly fell behind 0-2, and then took a called third strike for the first out. Daniel Descalso hit a grounder to first for the second out when Paul Goldschmidt threw to De La Rosa who was covering the bag.
With men in scoring position, catcher Nick Hundley hit a liner to Socrates Brito and just like that De La Rosa was out of the inning.
One good or bad spring outing doesn’t determine your fate, but every pitch matters for the starters that are competing for rotation spots, and De La Rosa made a good first impression.
Chase Anderson, Aaron Blair, and Braden Shipley also combined to allow no runs.
Thursday: Rockies-3 Dbacks-4
All eyes were on Trevor Cahill when he made his first start of the spring against the Rockies at Salt River Fields.
Cahill like most of the Diamondbacks pitchers this spring put up zeros on the scoreboard.
He allowed one walk and two hits in two shutout innings. Obviously it was an encouraging sign for a pitcher that has fallen so far since joining the Diamondbacks.
He displayed his new mechanics specifically his new throwing motion that he has been working on all of camp.
The Diamondbacks need Cahill to be effective this season, and this is a good first step.
Archie Bradley looked strong striking out three in two scoreless innings.
Vidal Nuno didn’t fare as well allowing two runs. He is competing for a rotation spot.
Danny Dorn hit the go ahead two run homer that proved to be the difference. He has really come out of nowhere. Keep an eye on him for the rest of the spring.