Rockies sticking with long-term plan for prospect Sullivan

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Triple-A Albuquerque left-hander Sean Sullivan (Rockies' No. 11 prospect) found the appropriate reaction to a negative result, and excelled.

The third batter Sullivan faced against El Paso on Tuesday night, Nick Solak, blasted a somewhat down-and-in fastball to left-center field for a home run. Keep in mind that in his previous start, Sullivan absorbed 12 hits and seven runs (six earned) in 4 2/3 innings at Las Vegas on May 19.

“His outing at Vegas was actually a good lesson,” said Albuquerque manager Pedro Lopez, who had a casual conversation with Sullivan the next day. “He said he went away from something that was really, really good, which is throwing that cutter inside to righties and throwing that fastball up in the zone, to the hitter’s body. I asked, ‘Was it because you didn’t have that pitch, or because we were supposed to pitch away to those guys?’ and he said it was a little bit of both.’”

Sullivan’s response to the pitch to Solak was to flush it and be himself. The result was six strong innings – three runs on six hits, with four strikeouts and one walk. It was his second quality start in his last three outings. Sullivan has a 5.62 ERA through 10 starts, though he has allowed three or fewer runs in eight of them. The other two outings were a combination of mistakes and the fact he is pitching in the notoriously tough parks in the Pacific Coast League.

But after the Solak home run, he responded in a manner that can be successful anywhere.

“First and foremost, it’s just filling up the zone -- that’s been the biggest goal this year,” Sullivan said. “I’ve got a good mix of pitches. That hitter hit that pitch out in the first inning, but you can’t change your plan. Stick with the plan, trust yourself and stay with it.”

The Rockies also are sticking with the plan with Sullivan, despite the lumps the Major League starting rotation is taking.

The Rockies entered the season with six pitchers on the Major League roster they felt confident using as starters -- and that doesn’t count Antonio Senzatela, who has thrived in the bullpen. Much has changed.

Michael Lorenzen (7.21 ERA) and Kyle Freeland (8.08 ERA) are struggling, with Freeland scuffling after missing two weeks with a left shoulder injury. Chase Dollander and Jose Quintana have throwing elbow injuries that will cause lengthy absences. Ryan Feltner has missed five weeks with right ulnar nerve inflammation. Only Tomoyuki Sugano has been both available and steady.

But a Rockies team that has paid for rushing players in the past is staying with a plan.

“It goes in both directions,” Rockies general manager Paul DePodesta said. “On one hand, we want to be patient with guys we have at the big league level. We’re not going to be reactive to a tough performance or a tough week or something like that.

“The other part, and probably more important from the prospect standpoint, is making sure that those prospects actually have the foundation in place to weather those inevitable storms at the Major League level.”

Sullivan is not on the 40-man roster. If he is called up this season, he'll likely finish the season in the Majors so he can enter next year with all of his Minor League options intact.

Sullivan, a second-round pick out of Wake Forest in 2023, has a long-limbed delivery that makes an 88 mph fastball look hotter, and he attacks glove side with a cutter and a sweeper, and is developing a changeup that reaches the arm side. Confidence in his plan should be his superpower.

“Every single pitcher has a process -- the process should never be interrupted by any income result,” Albuquerque pitching coach Craig Bjornson said. “Home run or a strikeout, they’re focusing on staying competitive pitch to pitch, and taking information from that to apply the next time.

“You saw him pitching exactly how he would have pitched without the home run. This man knows his business, and he’s not very affected by what the public sees.”

ANOTHER ROUTE

Switch-hitting Adael Amador, 23, considered a top second base prospect before lackluster numbers during callups the last two seasons, has been taking fly balls in left field in recent days and will play the position in games soon. Amador said he played some outfield in the Dominican Republic as an amateur.

Amador went into Thursday slashing .278/.389/.402, and the Rockies believe he can develop into an effective offensive player and want him to play multiple positions. He has played twice at shortstop, his original position.

“That’s something they want him to do, just to see if they can create more value and playing time for him,” Lopez said. “He’s looked good and has been working his butt off, so we’ll see.”

ON REHAB AND (THE ROCKIES HOPE) BACK ON THE RADAR

Righty 2022 No. 1 first-round pick Gabriel Hughes (Rockies' No. 16 prospect) has not pitched in a game since April 29 because of an injury to a midsection rotational muscle. But he is scheduled for one injury rehab start at High-A Spokane, then rejoin the club next week.

Hughes had an 8.64 ERA in five games (three starts), and the Rockies were happy with his pitch mix -- fastball, curve, sweeper, cutter and two changeups.

“His repertoire plays but unfortunately he got hurt,” Lopez said. “I’m looking forward to seeing him pitch, have some success, and go up and help the big club.”