It’s a baseball dream come true for Colorado native Marco Gonzales for two distinct reasons: 1) He will make his major-league debut in his home state, and 2) When Gonzales takes the mound at Coors Field, he will be playing for the savvy St. Louis Cardinals rather than the Rockies, an organization without a clue how to develop pitching talent.
“I couldn’t haven’t written it any better than this,” Gonzales said Tuesday, on the eve of his first career start for the Cards at age 22. “I believe I’m ready.”
Gonzales, who won four prep championships with Rocky Mountain High School out of Fort Collins, represents the 970 and does the whole state proud.
And one more thing: Gonzales represents why St. Louis is the smartest baseball town in America and the Rockies are among the dumbest organizations in the major leagues.
In the 2008 draft, Colorado selected pitcher Christian Friedrich with the 25th overall pick, 14 slots before St. Louis took pitcher Lance Lynn. Lynn’s masterful shutout of the Rockies to win the series opener was the 42nd victory of his major-league career. The star-crossed Friedrich has five big-league victories and a career ERA of 6.15.
In the 2009 draft, the front office of Dan O’Dowd went back to the pitching well, selecting Tyler Matzek out of high school with the 11th selection in the opening round. Eight picks later, a prep pitcher named Shelby Miller was tabbed by St. Louis. Miller has Matzek beat in major-league victories by the lopsided score of 23-1.
In Rex Brothers, the Rockies believed they had found their closer of the future with the 34th overall pick of the 2009 draft. After splendid work for Colorado last year, when Brothers recorded 19 saves with a 1.74 ERA, he has taken a disappointing step backward, muddling through too many mediocre performances as a set-up man. The Cardinals’ closer is Trevor Rosenthal, a college shortstop with fewer than five innings pitched on his résumé when spotted by a St. Louis scout in 2009, which is why he was available in the 21st round. In 2014, Rosenthal has recorded 22 saves.
During the 2012 draft, St. Louis found Michael Wacha out of Texas A&M with the 19th overall selection. The Rockies’ top pitching prospect that year was much-ballyhooed Eddie Butler, who went 46th. Wacha was name the most valuable player of the 2013 National League Championship Series. The 23-year-old Butler is the proud owner of a 10.13 ERA and a sore shoulder after his lone major-league start.
Notice a pattern?
The Cardinals, one of the best teams in baseball, know how to develop pitchers.
Dan O’Dowd, one of the best general managers in baseball if you ask Rockies owner Dick Monfort, knows how to draft pitchers who prove endless potential means never having to say you’re sorry for chronic organizational ineptitude.
St. Louis has been so successful getting major contributions for pennant-contending ballclubs from young pitchers with a formula that was years in the making. Here are some of the prominent Redbird rules: 1) Power arms cause batters to swing and miss; 2) No fatties allowed; great athletes make great pitchers; 3) Win with an out pitch, but make certain to develop a second pitch; 4) In the beginning of a minor-league career, it’s far wiser to give the young arm the work of being a starter and let a reliever be identified over time, and 5) Professionalism is a skill that must be taught rather than assumed.
“I think a lot of (pitchers) shy away from coming to Colorado. But growing up here? I loved it. It helped me develop my pitches and keep the ball down,” Gonzales said. Professionalism? Check. Back in his days at Regis Jesuit High, Rockies manager Walt Weiss recalls seeing Gonzales hitting a three-run homer in the state playoffs. Athleticism? Check. While Gonzales doesn’t wow anyone with his fastball, his change-up is a deadly weapon. Out pitch? Check.
From this day forward, when looking for pitching prospects, maybe Colorado should take a peek and cheat off the Cardinals’ draft board.
Or hire a new general manager to revamp the way the Rockies scout and develop pitchers.
Whatever is easier.
Mark Kiszla: mkiszla@denverpost.com or twitter.com/markkiszla
