Kyle Freeland is unafraid to project confidence in the face of doubt.
The Rockies’ starting left-hander, who told reporters last month the Rockies can “shock the world” even without Nolan Arenado, backed up that bravado in his first start of spring training Monday. Freeland tossed three scoreless innings against Cincinnati with 23 strikes on 38 pitches — using only his fastball and changeup.
“It was a great first outing for me,” Freeland said. “Me and (catcher Elias) Diaz were on the same page. We got together this morning and talked about our game plan … and we were able to keep them off balance with just two pitches.”
Freeland gave up two outfield singles and a walk. Colorado’s infield came up big to convert a pair of ground ball double-play opportunities — which has always been Freeland’s specialty.
“For me, it’s executing your pitches down into the zone and using that difference of velocity between pitches to keep them off-balance,” Freeland said. “Getting weak contact on the ground … to allow my infield to work and to get those two-for-one outs.”
Freeland, 27, did his part Monday as the Rockies establish their identity in a post-Arenado world. But he can’t do it alone.
Ryan Castellani took over in the fourth and imploded. The right-hander missed the strike zone on 17-of-18 pitches, walking three batters and hitting another, before mercifully being pulled.
Expect Freeland to remain confident the Rockies are headed in a positive direction as Rockies spring training kinks are worked out at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Ariz. Freeland, now entering his fourth major league season, has fully embraced a leadership role. He hopes his outspoken confidence becomes contagious.
“Things like that can spread easily, positivity and negativity, and you obviously want to stay away from that negativity and spread that around,” Freeland said. “Usually, that’s when things snowball on you and things start going really bad for a whole team. Portraying confidence and having that swagger out there on the field — having fun, playing loose, playing the game that we love to the fullest — that’s what want to do.
“We want to stay as loose as possible and portray that confidence every single day that we’re here.”
The message is well received by teammates during a transition phase for the franchise.
“(Freeland) has blown me away just getting to know him,” said Rockies reliever Daniel Bard. “He was a leader last year on the staff. Any time we had any kind of meeting or group where players get together, he’s always vocal and it’s always really good what he has to say.
“He goes about his work with confidence and he speaks with confidence. He’s got an attitude and a chip on his shoulder, which I love having on the staff.”
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