Should the Rockies Start Adael Amador or Kyle Farmer at 2B?

Last week, I wrote about the Colorado Rockies lack of infield depth. It was a problem they addressed by promoting Warren Miller and adding Alan Trejo. For fans, though, the hope was the top prospect Adael Amador would finally see substantial playing time. As a reminder, the Rockies recalled Amador on April 13.

With so many options now, when the Colorado Rockies drop their game lineup prior to the start of any game, serious fans look for one position first: second base. This gives a sense of Bud Black’s (and the Rockies’) priorities.

Generally, the question has been whether Amador will start or utility infielder Kyle Farmer. (On occasions, like last night, Black will go with Owen Miller.)

While the Rockies wait for Thairo Estrada to return from a wrist injury, their tendency has been to prefer Farmer. This is consistent with Black’s preference for playing veterans over prospects.

Still, this is a lost season for a bad team — in fact, it may be an historically bad team. So is it a good idea to give Farmer playing time in an attempt to right the ship, or is that time better spent by giving Amador reps? It’s a question worth exploring.

What do the numbers look like?

They’re kind of interesting (per FanGraphs).

In terms of games and plate appearances, as of Thursday, Farmer has had exactly twice as many, so it’s easier to draw some comparisons. And, interestingly enough, in some categories, Farmer’s numbers are exactly twice as good as Amador’s, which suggests a certain level of similarity.

Notable differences? Amador has one stolen base to Farmer’s zero; Amador has the (slightly) higher BB% and SLG; Farmer has the lower K% and OBP; both have similar wRC+ scores; and they have identical fWAR values.

In short, in terms of the numbers, these are very similar players.

Now consider the batted-ball data.

Here’s where things get a little more interesting. Amador’s FB% (54.2%) is significantly higher than Farmer’s (32.8%). In fact, 37.5% of Farmer’s hits are ground balls. Notice, too, the Hard%: Amador is hitting the ball significantly harder than Farmer is.

What does it suggest? That Amador has the potential the hit the ball in the air in a lineup that has struggled to do that over the last few years.

Clearly, Amador is still learning to hit MLB pitching, but he’s got one home run (to Farmer’s zero) and is getting better at making contact.

That brings us to defensive numbers.

Amador’s continuing struggle to adjust to second (after being a natural shortstop) emerges in his below-average DRS. In that category, Farmer is average.

Just editorializing, Brendan Rodgers made a similar move and finished his time with the Rockies as a Gold Glove second baseman, so there is precedent for Amador significantly improving that part of his game.

But he needs playing time to do that.

What’s the verdict?

This one seems clear: Adael Amador should be getting more playing time. He’s a similar player who needs experience.

Plus, Black’s propensity for platooning is well known, but given that Amador is a switch hitter, that logic really doesn’t hold up (though, in fairness, he’s been significantly better as a lefty against RHP than as a righty against LHP).

One thing becoming clear is that the Rockies young players are on the horizon — mostly in Double-A Hartford and High-A Spokane. Amador has just turned 22, so he’s young, but the Rockies need to spend more time preparing him for the promotion of fellow top prospects.

He’s the future second baseman of the Colorado Rockies, and until Thairo Estrada returns, he should get the bulk of starts there.

It’s a no-brainer.

What I’m Reading

• Coors Field Horror Stories: 30 Years of Baseball at Altitude | ESPN — This was probably the best thing I read last week, and I’ve thought about it a lot. (Also, I wish they’d talked with more pitchers who’ve had success at Coors Field because they exist.)

• By the Numbers: Did the Rockies Just Have the Worst Month in Baseball History? | The Athletic — April was historically bad for the Rockies, but just how bad was it?

• The Rockies Aren’t Solving Opposing Starting Pitchers | Purple Row — It’s a common refrain at Bud Black postgame pressers: “We couldn’t solve their pitcher.” Okay, so which pitchers can the Rockies solve? Skyler Timmins considers the possibilities.

Closing Thoughts

And that’s it for this week.

Yes, I know: I’m late again. The semester ends next week, so I should be back on track soon. (In the spring semester, everything just runs together at the end.)

Next week, we’ll see if the Rockies can continue to win a few. San Francisco has traditionally been a very tough venue for them, and next week, the Detroit Tigers will visit Coors Field. (I, for one, am really hoping to see Tarik Skubal pitch at elevation.)

As always, thanks for reading, and feel free to share this with a friend.

Renee

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Rockies Pitch is a newsletter that focuses on Colorado Rockies baseball. Find me on Bluesky at @Renee.Dechert.com.