Bryant's swing speed an encouraging sign for Rockies

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Kris Bryant is swinging with velocity associated with the star-studded early portion of his career. He has felt good enough to maintain prescribed weight training before and after games, all to combat the back problems that have limited his participation in his first three Rockies' seasons.

Bryant went 1-for-4 and scored on Thairo Estrada’s fifth-inning triple during Tuesday afternoon’s 9-5 victory over the Reds at Salt River Fields. He’ll increase activity during an intrasquad camp game on Wednesday.

“I’m gonna hit on the backfields and get maybe eight at-bats, too,” Bryant said. “In the spring, we’ve got three more weeks left. But so far, so good.”

Bryant signed a seven-year, $182 million contract, hoping to carry a squad moving to a younger roster. But after being available for just 159 games the first three seasons, mainly because of back issues, Bryant is trying to make himself more available.

Fingers are crossed for Bryant’s back health. But some of the swings Bryant has taken -- his long home run, and a couple of fly balls that reached the warning track, including one on Tuesday -- have the Rockies believing Bryant could be the lineup force they expected when making the splash signing.

“It looks right," Rockies manager Bud Black said. “That has stood out for us on the coaching side. It looks good. The bat speed, how he’s moving, the strength to the swing, all things look KB-like when he’s right, albeit he hasn’t been for a lot of his career here.

“We’re encouraged by that.”

His fifth-inning hit was an infield pop that the staggering, sun-affected Reds could not catch. The second-inning drive was his best contact.

“I guess my misses are in a good spot in terms of being under the ball, driving it to the warning track,” Bryant said. “I think I’ve had a couple of those so far. A couple of them have gone over their [outfielders’] heads. That feels good.”

LOOKING AT THE PLAN

A lineup that Black has been taking a long look at this spring produced solid results during a five-run second inning.

Tuesday’s card featured Brenton Doyle (who homered in the fourth), followed by Ryan McMahon (2-for-2), Ezequiel Tovar, Bryant and Estrada. Michael Toglia, who did not play against the Reds, has hit behind Estrada.

“The names you see in the top five or six are probably what it’s going to look like -- in what order, we’re not sure,” Black said. “It makes sense to see what we can do with this particular lineup.”

Last season, McMahon batted third 97 times and fourth 42. He’s getting a long look in the two-hole.

“I like the on-base percentage,” Black said. “I like the left-handedness if Doyle gets on -- he can shoot it through that hole, or he can get a base hit to right field, and it’s first and third. I like the immediate power in the two-hole, as well.”

ANOTHER SOLID BLALOCK OUTING

Lefty Austin Gomber will test his sore left shoulder by playing catch on Wednesday. No bullpen session is scheduled, but the Rockies are optimistic that he can return soon. On Tuesday, right-hander Bradley Blalock continued his candidacy to move into the rotation if Gomber needs time beyond Opening Day.

In three innings, Blalock threw 41 pitches and held the Reds to one run -- the first he has yielded this spring -- on four hits, with two strikeouts and a double-play grounder. Blalock debuted in the Majors last season with a 6.07 ERA in 29 2/3 innings. This spring, he has struck out nine against one walk.

He gave up two hits in the third inning and found himself behind in counts, but attacked the strike zone and limited damage.

“That definitely boosts [confidence], knowing I can throw all my pitches when I’m behind -- throwing and attacking guys.”

“I like the mix of pitches,” Black said. “I like that the fastball command has been pretty good, the breaking ball [a slider and a curve] have been fine. The change is solid. We’ve still got three weeks left [before the regular season starts], but I really like the way that Bradley has been throwing.”