SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Infielder Cristhian Adames is not the hot new story in the Rockies' camp. But can he wind up being a continuing story?
Adames is vying for a bench job and in a tough spot because he is out of Minor League options -- meaning the club would have to expose him via waivers if they can't carry him on the 25-man roster. His competitors are emerging figures.
Stephen Cardullo, whose three homers include two grand slams, and Jordan Patterson are corner outfielders who can play first base. The Rockies could need someone to back up Mark Reynolds (starting while Ian Desmond is out with a broken left hand). Pat Valaika showed power early and has played well enough at second, short and third to warrant consideration.
But Adames, who plays second, third and short and has dabbled at first, has big league bench experience that the others don't. Adames hit just .218 in 121 games last season, but in 51 pinch-hit at-bats he forged a .275 average and tied for third in the Majors with 14 pinch-hits. He also switch-hits, which could offer manager Bud Black flexibility.
Adames, 24, hopes last year's experience helps.
"Last year in the first half, I was putting pressure on myself, but the second half I was more focused and I got better," Adames said. "If I have to do it, I'm gong to do it, because I love my job."
Adames has had some big hits off the bench this spring. His double in the ninth Friday began a rally that nearly resulted in a comeback win over the Giants. One of his three home runs this spring was a two-run walk-off against the Brewers on March 15.

Worth noting
• Rockies lefty Tyler Anderson struck out seven in 6 2/3 innings against the Brewers in a Triple-A game Saturday at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Anderson gave up two runs and four hits, with no walks. Catcher Tony Wolters went 1-for-2 with an RBI and a walk.
• Lefty Jake McGee walked a leadoff man and escaped with one unearned run and two strikeouts against the Cubs on Saturday in his return from Team USA's World Baseball Classic-winning team. McGee wasn't used in a game after March 12, but warmed up several times in the later rounds and threw aggressively.
"I only got in two games but I got up in five of the games, so I got a lot of work in," McGee said. "It was kind of like a game because it was high adrenaline. Every game was really intense. Even just warming up was good."
• Cardullo, who was signed out of independent ball last spring and ended up making his Major League debut in August, was chosen winner of the Rockies' annual Abby Greer Award for Spring Training MVP (with a scouting/player development emphasis).
• The Rockies reassigned three non-roster players to Minor League camp: right-handed reliever Matt Carasiti, left-handed reliever Jerry Vasto, and catcher Jan Vazquez.