SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Officially, Raimel Tapia is out of Minor League options.
He is not, however, out of chances.
On Tuesday, Tapia started in right field against the Indians at Salt River Fields and went 1-for-2 with a single. On Monday he went 3-for-3 with two runs scored against the Royals at Surprise Stadium, hitting a home run on the first pitch of the game.
“The way I work and the way I think is that I can’t control what decision the team makes,” Tapia said. “All I can do is control what happens between the lines. I want to have a good Spring Training and keep working hard.”
Because the club did not re-sign Carlos Gonzalez and Gerardo Parra, Tapia will be given the opportunity to make the big league club out of Spring Training as a fourth outfielder. He’s most comfortable in center field and says he’s working on improving his defense in the corners. Tuesday marked his second appearance in right field this spring.
“We know what he can do, and we know what he has done in the Minor Leagues,” manager Bud Black said. “We have seen some good things in spurts in the big leagues. I think with Raimel, there is a transition from the Minor Leagues to the big leagues, especially if you don’t get that regular playing time.”
The challenge for Tapia is convincing the Rockies he can produce at a similar pace with limited opportunities on the big league level behind starters David Dahl in left, Charlie Blackmon in right and Ian Desmond in center field.
Last season, Tapia had a .200 batting average in 27 plate appearances in 25 games with the Rockies. He was much better in the Minors, sporting a slash line of .302/.352/.495 with 11 home runs and 21 steals at Triple-A Albuquerque.
“I hope I’m going to play every day to show what I can do,” Tapia said. “I know it’s very important, and little by little, I’m getting ready for the season.”
**Blackmon **soon to man right: Veteran outfielder Charlie Blackmon has made the switch from center field to right field, but it’s uncertain when he will get his first Cactus League start at the position.
“I think Charlie would like to get out there,” Black said. “He’s getting real close.”
Blackmon, who has made 105 starts at right and 131 appearances overall in his career, is healthy, Black said. The club moved him out of center field to preserve his overall welfare.
Fear Factored: The Rockies spent part of Tuesday morning participating in a team-building exercise patterned after a popular television game show that featured snakes, spiders and other insects.
It was a creepy, but memorable, experience.
“Spring Training is six weeks of pretty intense baseball stuff, and I think there is a time to lighten the mood for the fellas,” Black said. “Today we did that, and there will be some stuff that will pop up on the Internet that will bring a smile to your face. These types of things, there is a team-building aspect, and it’s also getting to know your teammates, the interaction of veterans and young guys and camaraderie.”
A group of players participated in several stunts with the critters. General manager Jeff Bridich also got into the action by letting a large spider crawl on his face.
“It was different, and a little weird, but I got off easy,” Bridich said. “But in terms of team activity, it was not different than what Buddy does in camp to bring the guys together.”
Up next: The Rockies will send German Márquez to the mound against the Angels at Salt River Fields on Wednesday. Jeff Hoffman, Scott Oberg, DJ Johnson, Justin Lawrence and Yency Almonte are also scheduled to pitch for Colorado.