Pacheco Making a Difference at Third

Jordan Pacheco began the year looking to be the Rockies third catcher and maybe a backup third and first basemen from time to time. The Rockies sent him to Triple-A in mid-April to get some practice at third thinking he could audition for the role of the everyday third basemen the Rockies needed. They called Pacheco up in early May and stuck him in at third base. Pacheco has now started 77 times there, and Rockies manager Jim Tracy plans to keep him there.

Pacheco's defensive skills have improved along with his offensive skills. The rookie has played 90 games batting .312 (99-for-317) with 20 doubles, three triples, two home runs, and 33 RBIs. His ability to extend his hands and hit for power along with the inside jammed shots that can drop for a base hit, has made Pacheco an everyday player for the Rockies.

Yesterday afternoon, Jordan Pacheco went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer in the 3-2 victory over the Miami Marlins.

"He's making plays now that you go back four and a half months ago, as soon as the ball came off the bat you're saying to yourself 'That's trouble. They've got a base runner,'" manager Jim Tracy said.