Colorado Rockies see a bigger role for youngster, Jhoulys Chacin
The Colorado Rockies were unable to dislodge the San Francisco Giants off their pedestal in the National League West division last year. The chase withered away as the playoffs neared at the end of the regular league season in 2010. In a way, they lost an
opportunity to claim the World Series accolade at the end, as the Giants beat the Texas Rangers at the start of November to claim the ultimate trophy.
Nevertheless, 2011 brings forward a new challenge and while the regular season will bring a refreshing start, the Rockies will look to build on a team that has the potential to develop into a formidable side in the near future. One man gives that impression
now; and it’s Jhoulys Chacin. The 23-year-old Venezuelan pitcher is looking to enter 2011 as the fourth player in the ball throwing rotation in the Rockies line up.
Coming in after aces - Ubaldo Jimenez, Jorge De La Rosa and Aaron Cook - Chacin will be leading the attack for the Rockies. The responsibility seems huge but he had proven that he has great potential. In Chacin’s last six starting games during the 2010 season,
the Rockies managed four wins and two losses. Furthermore, his earning runs average was 1.44. The youngster has the right mix of throws to become the premier pitcher at the club, and his pitching coach Bob Apodaca sees things that way.
"There's no doubt that he possesses those qualities that he can be at the forefront of the rotation," Bob Apodaca said. "He has qualities of loving to compete against quality teams, because he does possess smoothness. It's not only breaking pitches; it's
about a fastball that darts with movement. And I think this was also a season he felt not only that he could compete here, he could win here."
Jhoulys Chacin’s secondary pitches are particularly developed and strong, and Apodaca was able to deliberate on the ball thrower’s strengths.
"He has that inner control that he doesn't beat himself to death, which he learned from experience," Apodaca said. "(Chacin says,) 'I've got to learn what guys to throw certain pitches to, so when I need to make an important pitch I'm totally prepared. I
know how I can attack him.' He's years ahead of his time as far as maturity and controlling his body language. He's very bright and a bright spot for our ball club."
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