If Michael Toglia is going down, he’s going down swinging a hot bat.
The Rockies’ rookie first baseman and outfielder is very likely not going to be on the 26-man roster in San Diego for the season opener on Thursday. Still, Toglia continues to show why he’s such an intriguing talent.
Toglia hit 4 for 4 against the Brewers Monday with two doubles, a home run and three RBIs. The switch hitter is 6 for 9 with five runs scored, four doubles and one home run in his last two games. He’s slashed .288/.366./.534 in the Cactus League.
However, unless recent free-agent signing Juricson Profar doesn’t join the team because of lingering visa problems, Toglia will likely begin the season with Triple-A Albuquerque.
In other words, Toglia isn’t quite ready for prime time.
“(He’s) not there yet,” manager Bud Black told reporters Monday morning at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Ariz. “It’s a process. His strikeout rate is too high and his swing-and-miss rate is way too high.”
Toglia, 24, has whiffed 24 times in 78 plate appearances for a 30.7% strikeout rate. In 31 big-league games last season, he fanned at a 36.7% clip.
Still, Black sees big-time potential in Toglia, Colorado’s first-round pick out of UCLA in 2019.
“He has shown, in the minors, pretty good strike-zone discipline,” Black said. “Now, against more quality pitching, you are seeing a little bit more chase. But he’ll figure it out. He’s got a good head.”
Position battle: The Rockies are close to finalizing their bullpen after optioning right-hander Gavin Hollowell to Triple-A Albuquerque. That move likely cleared the way for right-hander Connor Seabold to be Colorado’s final reliever. Seabold will probably work as a long reliever and emergency starter. Black has indicated Seabold is still considered starting material. If No. 5 starter Ryan Feltner continues to struggle, Seabold could move into the rotation.
Rockies 12, Brewers 8
Monday at American Family Fields of Phoenix
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On the mound: Right-hander Jose Urena’s final spring start was not encouraging. In three innings, he gave up three runs on two hits — the big blow a three-run homer — and walked four. Urena’s Cactus League ERA is 6.52. … Right-handed reliever Dinelson Lamet continues to pitch well. He tossed a scoreless inning Monday, finishing his spring with a 1.00 ERA across nine appearances, allowing four hits with nine strikeouts and just two walks.
At the plate: Corner infielder Mike Moustakas and utility player Harold Castro, both added to the Rockies’ 40-man roster on Saturday, each recorded three-hit games, with Castro also driving in two runs.
Up next: Brewers at Rockies, 12:10 p.m. Tuesday (1:10 p.m. MDT) in Cactus League finale
Rockies probable pitchers: RHP Ryan Feltner, RHP Jake Bird, RHP Gavin Hollowell, RHP Justin Lawrence
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