A typically “crafty” outing in spring training Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs by Colorado Rockies pitcher Brian Lawrence raised his stock as the Demon great mounts a comeback from season-ending and career-threatening shoulder surgery in 2006.
The headline in the Denver Post: “Productive pitchers include Lawrence.” On www.mlb.com: “Lawrence makes statement.”
Post writer Patrick Saunders said the 1998 Southland Conference Pitcher of the Year “… made a bold statement … is emerging as a viable candidate for the rotation, sooner than later.”
Lawrence, whose No. 29 jersey was retired by NSU before the 2005 season, was hurt on the opening day of spring training a year ago when he had signed with the Washington Nationals. He had surgery and worked all year to recover. Understandably, the Nationals released him in the offseason, and after considering offers from the Pirates, Padres, and Mariners, Brian chose to join the Rockies. He likes pitching in Coors Field and thought the club was a good fit for him.
Wrote Thomas Harding of MLB.com: “After being hidden in bullpen sessions and on the minor league field for 10 days … Lawrence stepped into the competition for the Rockies starting rotation Tuesday.”
In five innings, he allowed two earned runs on seven hits, throwing four scoreless innings after giving up a leadoff homer to Alfonso Soriano (ironically, his teammate in Washington a year ago, when Soriano went deep 46 times) in the first frame. Following the first, Lawrence didn’t allow a runner to reach second. He was the winning pitcher in the 4-2 outcome in the Cactus League contest in Tuscon, Ariz.
“Everything’s together and it’s working the way it should be, and I can tell that in the command,” Lawrence said. “My first couple of outings, I was all over the place. Now the command is there with every pitch.”
Saunders described Brian as “beaming,” understandably so.
Rockies manager Clint Hurdle was pleased with what Lawrence showed.
“He’s crafty, the kind of guy that you go back to the dugout thinking, ‘Man, I can get him,’ but you don’t get him. There are days you might get him, but he makes you swing the bat and challenges your discipline.”
Hurdle said the Rockies might not have the same starting-five rotation on the mound at midseason as they could when the season starts next week, obviously referring to the desire to bring Lawrence along gradually. Byung-Hyun Kim and Josh Fogg have been mentioned for potential trades, especially if the Rockies decide Lawrence could be ready sooner than later.
From Tuesday’s outing, that might just be the case. No question Brian’s prospects soared with his smooth showing against the Cubbies.
Doug Ireland, SID
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