.PHOENIX (AP) - It’s the NL Worst no more.
The National League teams out West, the subject of ridicule just two seasons ago, are young, talented and they work cheap, at least relatively so in the world of major league baseball.
The Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks, who open their NL championship series on Thursday night, are proof that success can be homegrown and that big money doesn’t assure a winner – but some shrewd draft picks and a few smart trades can.
“The American League East will always have a few more dollars to spend,” Arizona manager Bob Melvin said, “but I think the youth and amount of prospects in this division are pretty phenomenal.”
In one sweet season, some have gone from prospects to stars. That’s part of the reason that for the first time, two West teams are matched up in the NLCS.
Colorado’s 22-year-old Troy Tulowitzki hit 24 home runs, the most by a shortstop in NL history. He batted .291 with 99 RBIs while leading all major league shortstops in fielding percentage.
The Rockies also have two outstanding young pitchers in 23-year-old Ubaldo Jimenez and 21-year-old Franklin Morales. Closer Manny Corpas is just 24.
Rookie Jeff Baker’s pinch-hit single drove in the go-ahead run in a Rockies’ 2-1 victory that completed a three-game sweep of Philadelphia in the division series. It was Colorado’s 18th victory in 19 games.
“It’s been amazing,” Rockies third baseman Garrett Atkins said. “Ubaldo Jimenez has been huge for us. There’s no way we are where we are without him. Franklin Morales has done an unbelievable job as well as getting us here. Obviously you can’t speak enough about Tulo. He’s been unbelievable on both sides of the ball.”
The Diamondbacks, if anything, are younger. They start three rookies – center fielder Chris Young, third baseman Mark Reynolds and right fielder Justin Upton.
Reynolds was called up from Double-A when Chad Tracy was hurt. Upton, considered one of the top prospects in the game, started the season at Class A Lancaster and is barely 20.
Micah Owings, the fourth pitcher in Arizona’s rotation, is a rookie. Shortstop Stephen Drew and first baseman Conor Jackson are in their second seasons.
Despite the worst batting average in the league (.250), Arizona had the NL’s best record (90-72). That’s largely because of 32 one-run victories.
The Arizona kids were anything but in awe while polishing off the Chicago Cubs in a three-game sweep in the division series.
“I really don’t know why,” Young said. “You seriously treat it like another ballgame. Obviously it’s a way bigger scale. These games mean a lot more. But when you’re out there on the field, you’re hyped up before. But after the first pitch it’s like another ball game.”
Melvin believes the success may serve as a model for others. Colorado has a payroll of about $54 million, with nearly $17 million going to one player – Todd Helton. The Diamondbacks have a payroll of about $65 million, but the 25 who are on the playoff roster earn about $30 million.
The Diamondbacks will send Brandon Webb, the only pitcher to beat Colorado in the last 19 games, against Rockies ace Jeff Francis on Thursday night. Game 2 on Friday night will pit lefty Doug Davis of Arizona against Jimenez.
