Rockies reliever Bryan Shaw understands he’d more critics than fans in 2018 when he published a 5.93 ERA and was left off the playoff roster after signing a three-year, $27 million contract the previous offseason.
He also heard the naysayers, clear and loud, from those on Twitter into the negative columns within the pages of The Denver Post.
“I read everything, and I go on Twitter and I read everything there,” Shaw said. “I hear it, I read it, I see it, but it doesn’t bug me. Following the World Series (with Cleveland) in 2016, I got stuff that a little harsher than lots of guys have gotten in a while. But you’ve just got to ignore it since I know what I’m doing and I know what I had to do. ”
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What Shaw had to do was turn it around, and fast, and he’s done just that far through this season’s first five-plus weeks. The right-hander’s posted a 1.29 ERA in 17 appearances (21 innings) with a 0.95 WHIP and a .169 competition average, with his 1:1 walk-to-strikeout ratio still leaving more improvement to be desired.
“He’s been reliable,” Rockies director Bud Black assessed. “Even though the walk speed might be a bit high, he’s getting outs and he’s making quality pitches down in the strike zone. And he’s using both sides of the plate, so I find that encouraging moving. ”
Shaw’s missing 2018 campaign showed promise after his return from a calf injury July 11 as he published a 2.84 ERA in 19 innings the rest of the way. Black believes Shaw’s major before that were a result of pressure battles.
“Last year when he came to us, after switching leagues, he was trying to do the exact things he’d done before and trying to over-do it: Free agent, new team, multi-year contract,” Black said. “He got off to a difficult start and things compounded on him. But he’s simplified a couple of things emotionally, he’s done a few things and there’s momentum and a confidence to his pitching. ”
The 31-year-old whose fastball has fallen off to an average of 92.4 mph this year is relying more on offspeed and cutter location this year while also capitalizing on a subtle tweak to his delivery.
“One of the biggest things was trying to stay back a bit more,” Shaw said. “I’ve added a (Kyle) Freeland pause somewhat — not as extreme as his — but that little pause keeps me back over the rubber so I’m not leaking ahead or rushing forward. ”
Garrett Hampson keeps the faith. The rookie infielder certainly hasn’t start he expected for this season, hitting .195 with one homer and six RBIs in 82 at-bats heading into Tuesday.
But Hampson, 24, isn’t down on himself. He said he needs to look no farther than last year, when he hit .275 in 40 at-bats after making his debut July 31, as proof he can settle into being an hitter.
“I know I’m likely to contribute to this group (more) at some point. It s obviously not what I expected, but each day is a new day and I’ve got to be prepared to perform,” Hampson said. “My time ’s been a little off. But I’m beginning to get back into rhythm, and I’ve been watching video from this past year and noticing a couple of different things to get back on course. ”
Drew Butera outrighted to Triple-A. Butera was designated for assignment May 3 as Chris Iannetta returned from the injured list, but the 35-year-old cleared waivers and decided to return to Colorado’s organization. “I believe it s a fantastic thing for Drew and a fantastic thing for us,” Black said. “He’s a guy we feel comfortable with. ” Butera batted .176 (3-for-17) in seven games this season after signing a minor-league contract with Colorado in April.
Southpaw relievers with Isotopes. Chris Rusin (back strain) and Jake McGee (knee sprain) are both continuing their rehab assignments in Triple-A. Rusin pitched a scoreless inning with the Isotopes on Monday; he’ll throw again for Albuquerque on Thursday, as will McGee.
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