Adjusted as catcher, Pacheco seeks offense

MIAMI -- Rockies catcher Jordan Pacheco worked twice in Spring Training with righty Jordan Lyles, who was called up from the Minors when Tyler Chatwood sustained a left hamstring injury late in Spring Training. Pacheco and Lyles were together Wednesday night in the first 2014 start for both.

For Pacheco, 28, Wednesday night was the start of his chance to get regular playing time again.

Pacheco hit .309 as a rookie in 2012 while playing mostly first base and third base, although he played catcher throughout his Minor League career. Last year, the presence of Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner Nolan Arenado at third and retiring star Todd Helton at first left him with a limited role. The Rockies converted him back to catcher during the season, and his average dropped to .239.

But this spring, Pacheco went to camp as a catcher and showed defensive development. He also batted .310 with two home runs and five RBIs in 16 games. On Wednesday he singled in Troy Tulowitzki as part of a three-run Rockies first inning.

"I'm pretty comfortable back there," Pacheco said. "The main thing is having the pitchers be comfortable with me. Once they get that confidence in me and once I have that confidence in them, it's a whole different ballgame. When you have somebody on the mound who is semi-confident in what you're putting down and semi-confident in your ability, it doesn't work out too well. If we work well together, it's like a good dance. You're dancing nice together. It's good."

Pacheco believes he and Lyles found a rhythm. Lyles devoted those outings to working on pitches, so their true in-game strategy would be revealed Wednesday.

"Me and Lyles actually did get to dance a little bit; I caught him twice," Pacheco said. "We've got a good plan. We're out here to win. He's a competitive guy. I'm a competitive guy."