Josh Rutledge can add power to the Colorado Rockies offense- MLB News
Colorado Rockies called shortstop Josh Rutledge from the Double-A Tulsa after the All-Star break in 2012. The move was prompted by the groin injury to their usual shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.
Josh grabbed the opportunity with both hands and posted a .274 batting average and a .306 on-base percentage in 73 games. He batted in 37 runs and went long on eight occasions. His 76 hits also did not harm his cause.
The 23-year-old is excited to have had an opportunity to play amongst the top guys in the game. He believes that it was a huge learning curve for him and hoped that he will be able to utilise the experience in moving his career in a positive direction.
"It was a huge year for me, mentally, physically, just being able to play the number of games that I've played," Rutledge said. "To get called up and be able to play with these guys and just learn from these older guys has been a huge experience for me.
Hopefully, it'll help me further in my career."
Recently appointed Rockies’ manager Walt Weiss is also impressed by what Josh has to offer. He believes that the shortstop can be good in getting base hits as well as going long when it is needed.
"Rutledge is a very exciting kid," manager Walt Weiss said. "He can hit the ball in the gap or hit the ball in the seats.
He also thinks that some adjustments will have to be made by Josh and believes that it should not be a big issue for the youngster to correct those issues.
"He's going to have to adjust to some things. But he's an athletic kid. I think he'll do that," Walt said.
Josh can be added to a lineup that already has some very good hitters including Troy Tulowitzki, Dexter Fowler and Wilin Rosario. His addition could mean more power to the batting unit and runs production can certainly increase.
Rutledge says that he worked really hard in the last off-season which paid off in 2012. He will continue to work hard this winter as well and is aware that only dedicated efforts will help him move forward as a player in the big leagues.
He splits his off-season between a training facility in Tampa, Florida and his home in Birmingham, Alabama. He will certainly be working hard as he is not on the roster for the Rockies and was strangely not invited to spring training.
Josh Rutledge is a hard working youngster who has shown everyone that he has what it takes to be a Major League player. He is young and energetic and is still learning the ropes. If he continues the good work that he has recently shown, one can expect him
to be a permanent feature in the Majors for some time to come.
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