Rockies’ T.J. Rumfield, out of Triple-A limbo with Yankees, takes his shot at wide-open first base job

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — T.J. Rumfield was a big-league first baseman trapped in Triple-A limbo. At least, that’s how he saw things. So did the Rockies. Which is why they acquired the Yankees’ minor leaguer in exchange for talented but mercurial right-handed reliever Angel Chivilli in a trade in late January. Now it’s Rumfield’s job to bust open the door of opportunity. “I’m super excited to get my shot,” the 25-year-old Rumfield said Thursday. “I think the Yankees did a good job developing me, but with the guys they had there, it was just super hard to get my shot at the big leagues with certain people there. “So, it was a breath of fresh air, thinking I could come over here and impact this team at the major league level this year. It’s all I could ask for.” The retooled, rebuilding Rockies have job openings posted throughout their lineup, but no position is more competitive than first base as the club opens Cactus League play against the Diamondbacks on Friday afternoon at Salt River Fields. “It’s completely wide open,” manager Warren Schaeffer said. That means that a strong showing this spring could be Rumfield’s golden ticket to the majors. The fact that he’s a left-handed hitter helps his cause. There are four prime candidates at first: Julien Edouard (who also plays second), Blaine Crim, Troy Johnston (who also plays outfield), and Rumfield. But, as Schaeffer pointed out, first base could be a shared position, depending on how spring training goes.…

Continue reading →