Rockies' Ezequiel Tovar: Expected to start at shortstop
Rotowire
Tovar is expected to serve as the Rockies' everyday shortstop in 2023, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.
Tovar was promoted aggressively in 2022 and earned 35 plate appearances in the majors to close the season. His surface stats weren't good in that span, and Tovar also hasn't had a particularly compelling performance this spring by collecting only seven hits -- two for extra bases -- across 31 at-bats. Nevertheless, the Rockies appear committed to giving their top prospect time to learn on the job, and he should be in line for plenty of plate appearances as a result.
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Rockies' Ezequiel Tovar: Swats first big-league homer
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Tovar went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in a loss to the Dodgers on Wednesday.
Tovar's first major-league long ball was a memorable one, as it came off future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw. The 405-foot solo shot accounted for Colorado's only run of the game and was one of the team's two hits. Tovar slashed just .212/.257/.333 over nine contests in his first major-league cup of tea, but he batted .319 with 14 homers and 17 stolen bases in the minors this season and figures to be a big part of the Rockies' future plans.
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Rockies' Ezequiel Tovar: On bench Tuesday
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Tovar isn't starting Tuesday against the Dodgers.
The young shortstop's major-league career has gotten off to a slow start, as he has just a .483 OPS through his first eight games. Tovar will take a seat Tuesday, which moves Jose Iglesias to start at shortstop, C.J. Cron over to designated hitter, Michael Toglia to first base, Randal Grichuk to right field and Garrett Hampson into the lineup to start in center field.
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Rockies' Ezequiel Tovar: First career extra-base hit
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Tovar went 1-for-4 with a double Thursday against the Giants.
Tovar doubled deep to left field to lead off the sixth inning, though he was ultimately stranded there. It was the first extra-base hit of his career, but he does have five knocks across his first 18 at-bats.
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Rockies' Ezequiel Tovar: Steps out of lineup
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Tovar is not in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Giants, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.
The 21-year-old started the past four games after he was promoted from Triple-A Albuquerque last week, and he'll take a seat with Jose Iglesias (thumb) back from the injured list. Tovar should still see plenty of playing time over the final week of the season, and he's 4-for-14 with two walks and a run scored through his first four big-league contests.
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Rockies' Ezequiel Tovar: Two hits in debut
Rotowire
Tovar went 2-for-4 with a run scored Friday against the Padres.
Tovar made his big-league debut Friday and hit eighth while playing shortstop. He collected singles in each of his first two plate appearances and also came around to score in the fourth inning. Tovar should continue to have a clear path to playing time with Jose Iglesias (thumb) and Brendan Rodgers (hamstring) both sidelined.
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Rockies' Ezequiel Tovar: Batting eighth in MLB debut
Rotowire
Tovar will start at shortstop and bat eighth Friday against the Padres, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.
The 21-year-old was added to Colorado's active roster Thursday and will make his big-league debut a day later. Tovar posted a .921 OPS with 14 home runs and 17 stolen bases in 71 games between the Double-A and Triple-A levels this season, and he should see regular playing time down the stretch as the Rockies take a look at their top prospect.
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Rockies' Ezequiel Tovar: Active, not in Thursday's lineup
Rotowire
Tovar was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque on Thursday.
He is not in Thursday's lineup but could be available off the bench. Tovar should play pretty regularly down the stretch given the Rockies view him as the shortstop of the future. He hit .316/.384/.537 with 14 home runs and 17 steals in 71 games between Double-A and Triple-A.
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Rockies' Ezequiel Tovar: Not yet active
Rotowire
Tovar, who is expected to join the Rockies on Thursday, is not in the lineup against the Giants, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.
It's not unusual for a prospect to watch his first big-league game from the bench, and in this case, Tovar isn't even on the lineup card yet. His official activation may come Friday. Once active, Tovar should play pretty regularly, as the Rockies view him as the shortstop of the future. He hit .316/.384/.537 with 14 home runs and 17 steals in 71 games between Double-A and Triple-A.
Tovar is expected to be called up from Triple-A Albuquerque to play in Thursday's series finale against the Giants, Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post reports.
The 21-year-old spent the first half of the season with Double-A Hartford before he landed on the injured list with a groin injury in late June, and he was promoted to Albuquerque last week after he completed a rehab assignment. Tovar went 5-for-17 with a home run and two RBI in his first four games at Triple-A, and he posted a .314/.383/.542 slash line with 13 long balls, 47 RBI and 17 stolen bases in 66 contests at Double-A. He is Colorado's top prospect and should receive regular opportunities down the stretch in his first taste of the majors.
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Rockies' Ezequiel Tovar: Begins rehab assignment
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Tovar (hip/groin) will head to Arizona on Sunday to begin a rehab assignment, Danielle Allentuck of The Denver Gazette reports.
The talented shortstop has not played since June 29 due to a hip/groin injury. According to Allentuck, Tovar will complete his rehab assignment and will then be moved up to Triple-A Albuquerque for the final games of the season. The 21-year-old hit .318/.386/.545 with 13 home runs and 17 steals in 66 games at Double-A.
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Rockies' Ezequiel Tovar: Nursing groin injury
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Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt said Sunday that Tovar has played just one game during Double-A Hartford's homestand this week on account of a groin injury, Patrick Lyons of TheDNVR.com reports.
Schmidt downplayed the groin issue, indicating that the Rockies are granting the 20-year-old infielder some extra rest as a matter of precaution to ensure the injury doesn't evolve into a longer-term concern. Tovar has backed up his status as one of the Rockies' top prospects this season by slashing .314/.383/.542 with 29 extra-base hits and 17 stolen bases across 295 plate appearances at Hartford.
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Rockies' Ezequiel Tovar: Hot start at Double-A
Rotowire
Tovar is hitting .304/.396/.609 with three home runs and three stolen bases across 52 plate appearances at Double-A Hartford.
Tovar spent the early part of spring training with the big-league club, and he has begun the 2022 regular season with Double-A Hartford. He delivered a multi-homer performance April 22, which inflated his overall numbers given the small sample. However, Tovar hasn't looked out of place at his current assignment, as he also has five doubles while striking out at a 25 percent clip.
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Rockies' Ezequiel Tovar: Earns High-A promotion
Rotowire
Tovar has gone 3-for-11 with a double and two RBI in three games since being promoted to High-A Spokane.
He certainly earned the promotion after slashing .307/.346/.510 with 11 homers and 21 steals across 75 games in Low-A. Tovar makes a ton of contact -- he's struck out just 39 times this year, and he's walked just 14 times -- and when you combine that with his speed and the burgeoning power stroke he's shown this year, there's a lot for dynasty leaguers to get excited about. He plays a complete game, as he's an excellent defensive shortstop as well. Tovar may be barely 20 years old and still a couple years off from the majors, but he's become a name to watch.
