Tovar stands tall despite mistake on the bases

DENVER -- He’s the face of the Rockies’ youth movement. So whenever he does anything of consequence on the field, it’ll be scrutinized.

But that’s why the Rockies like him so much: He can take the scrutiny.

Ezequiel Tovar is only 21 years old, but there are high expectations for the slick-fielding shortstop as the centerpiece of Colorado’s transition into its next era. And when you’re playing a position that has previously been held by such franchise luminaries as Troy Tulowitzki and Trevor Story, you’ve got big shoes to fill in addition to needing broad shoulders.

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More than his stellar defensive ability and, as of late, his improved performance at the plate, the reason Tovar is in the Majors at the premium position he plays is because of his maturity. And that’s exactly what was tested during the Rockies’ 3-2 loss to the Padres on Saturday afternoon at Coors Field, Colorado’s sixth straight defeat and 10th in 12 games.

Tovar represented the tying run on third base with one out in the eighth inning, when Mike Moustakas popped a ball up that was headed toward the seats down the left-field line. Padres third baseman Manny Machado ran 108 feet and made an incredible over-the-shoulder, sliding catch in which he juggled the baseball before finally catching it in his bare hand.

From his knees, Machado fired the ball toward home plate in an effort to prevent Tovar from tagging and scoring. But Tovar didn’t make the attempt.

Would Tovar have made it if he had broken for the plate when the ball first touched Machado’s glove?

“My first reaction was I wanted to make sure he had caught it, and obviously, going back and tagging there,” Tovar said through an interpreter. “I think it probably would've been close. I think I probably would've made it if I went. I don't know.”

It’s difficult to tell whether Tovar would’ve scored. It surely would’ve been close. But what’s perhaps most important about the play for the rookie isn’t the outcome, but how he handled the questions afterward.

Tovar stood in front of his locker, poised and willing to answer candidly about what transpired. He even admitted he didn’t know the rule that states a runner can tag up as soon as the ball touches the fielder’s glove, not having to wait until the fielder is in possession of it with a catch.

“I had no idea,” Tovar said. “That’s why I had to make sure he caught it.”

There was no evasion. There wasn’t any tension. For Tovar, it was just plain and simple: a learning experience.

There will be more of those as Tovar becomes the player he’s destined to be. The Rockies hope that player will be a key piece of future success, and he already has shown flashes of why they may be on to something.

Earlier this season, while he wasn’t hitting well, Tovar made some sparkling defensive plays. And over his last 23 games, he has hit safely in 19, batting .321 (26-for-81) over that span with nine doubles and a pair of home runs.

Before Saturday’s game, manager Bud Black mentioned that he thought Tovar has been somewhat underrated in the wider baseball world for what he’s been doing as a rookie.

While Tovar was certainly considered a potential National League Rookie of the Year candidate this spring, he has seen others such as the D-backs’ Corbin Carroll, the Dodgers’ James Outman and the Mets’ Francisco Alvarez grab the headlines.

After the game, Black reiterated that he’s an “advocate” for his young shortstop.

“In April, I think [with him making] the Opening Day roster, and with a long season ahead of him, he might’ve been pressing a little bit,” Black said. “And then once he settled in, you saw him flourish.

“The defense really picked up to what you’re seeing now, making every play -- the balls in the hole, the balls up the middle, the charge, turning double plays, hard-hit balls. … And with the bat … there’s a slow and steady improvement on the chase. … He’s putting the bat on the ball and using the whole field. There’s a lot to like.”

And perhaps the area in which the Rockies have always seen something to like about Tovar -- his indefatigable unflappability -- was on display once again through a strange play the likes of which we may not see again for a long time, if ever.

“He’s having a really good year for a rookie,” Black said. “He should be noticed.”