Role for Helton, CarGo at Minor League camp? 'Be a friend'

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Before Monday morning, most of what Rockies first-base prospect Michael Toglia knew about Todd Helton, whose retired number hangs at Coors Field, was “all his YouTube video.”

Considering that the Rox believe Toglia could win a Gold Glove at first base -- where Helton won three -- and put up all-time defensive stats, the long-ago feats make for a good study guide.

But why leave Toglia looking at video when the Rockies can give him the real thing? Helton did his homework on Toglia before showing up at Minor League camp on Monday as a guest instructor for the week. Another former Rockies All-Star and Gold Glove Award winner, outfielder Carlos González, also joined camp in a guest instructor role.

“I told him the reason I’m here is to watch him,” said Helton, who played all 17 of his seasons in a Rockies uniform (1997-2013) and has seen his Hall of Fame candidacy gain steady steam. “He moves pretty good for a big guy. He’s got great hands, and he swings the bat well.”

Helton and González are around to provide encouraging words, specific coaching and guidance for their developing players. While there are obvious pointers that the former players can offer, there is another aspect to having the stars on the field in the uniform that they wore with such distinction. The current camp also includes Clint Hurdle, who managed the team to the 2007 World Series, in a special advisor role. Pedro Astacio, who pitched well for Colorado from 1997-2001 -- when Coors Field was at its most difficult -- continues in a role helping pitchers during Spring Training, and helps train pitchers at the team’s academy in the Dominican Republc.

It's common for teams to use Spring Training as an opportunity for their younger players to rub shoulders with tradition, bringing past stars to camp in uniform. This includes many of the game's more storied organizations: think Yankee Pinstripes, Birds on the Bat and Dodger Blue.

There is a strong argument that former players embracing Purple Pinstripes is even more meaningful.

The Rockies’ history is a pattern of lengthy struggles, interspersed with surprise contending years. They play in an often perplexing Mile High atmospheric condition, one that everyone seems to have figured out -- until they have to work in it. The lack of winning and constant questioning make the Rockies a popular team to kick in the shins, and their missteps are often met with swinging feet in traditional and social media.

First-year general manager Bill Schmidt has run the team’s MLB Draft since 2000, and player development director Chris Forbes has had a long term with the team in scouting and player development. Yes, they have seen bad years, but they’ve seen many good players and enjoyed some good years. They don’t have to worry about young players hearing about the bad times.

That’s why it’s good to hear about success, straight from the players who made it possible.

“I talk about big-picture awareness all the time,” Forbes said. “The 21st century baseball player has got more distractions than any generation before. I brought it up in the meeting [with the players]. They’ll listen to somebody on Twitter.

“In having the guys here that have had the ups and downs, and having a guy like Clint here, who talks about his failures more than successes, it’s a good thing in trying to get to that authentic piece. Let’s be real. I know the false bravado, because I’m a baseball player.”

The Rockies called in Helton from his Tennessee home and rang González’s cell while he was sunning on a beach in Miami. Previous manager Walt Weiss tried making past stars part of Spring Training, but it never became a regular part of what the Rockies do. Current manager Bud Black began a similar program by bringing in Brad Hawpe in 2020, but, well, 2020 hit.

Schmidt is making such connections a priority. He said he wants to bring in Larry Walker, the Rockies’ first Hall of Famer. Walker visited camp when Weiss was manager.

“Those guys put in a lot of time and effort to make us who we are,” Schmidt said. “They can add to it.”

But Schmidt has a specific area he wants stars like Helton and González to influence.

“Like I told both of those guys, ‘I don’t need you at the Major League level -- I need you down here,’” Schmidt said.

Helton, who had brief coaching roles with the University of Tennessee and USA Baseball a few years back, recalled hearing the voice of a star the first time when breaking into pro ball.

“My first Spring Training, Ken Griffey Sr. was the Major League hitting coach, and that was a big deal for me, just to be around him and listen to him,” Helton said. “He cut up a lot and was a lot of fun to be around.”

Helton, who said he enjoyed being around Hurdle again and found Black “amazing,” is open to more.

“I’m willing to go help out in the Minor Leagues,’’ he said. “I’d want to stay in the Minor Leagues and help the young guys. I’m open to traveling to the different parks and watching the guys play.”

González looks in playing shape and never turned in retirement papers. But life with his wife and three children is busy enough. The family plans to move to Los Angeles as his 8-year-old twin daughters pursue acting -- their mom’s former profession. He hasn’t swung a bat since being released.

His role this camp has elements of his posture late in his Rockies career. González was often a voice of information and relaxation for players such as Charlie Blackmon, DJ LeMahieu, Nolan Arenado, Ryan McMahon and Trevor Story. He’s still in contact with them, and wants to spread his influence to the Rockies prospects.

“You don’t really tell yourself, ‘I’m the leader in the clubhouse,’” said González, who counted Walker, Ellis Burks and Vinny Castilla among mentors during his time with the Rockies (2009-18). “It’s something that comes with time -- having good communication with teammates. Understand that other than baseball, everybody has issues outside the line.

“Just be a friend to them.”