Veteran Moustakas puts Rockies' struggles in perspective

ATLANTA -- Rebuilding clubs have revolving predicaments, and veteran infielder Mike Moustakas has seen them all. For the Rockies, it’s poor starting pitching.

With starting pitchers either injured, inexperienced, ineffective or a combination of the three, it’s hard to see the end of the woes -- like in Saturday’s 10-2 loss at Truist Park. It was the Rockies' fourth straight defeat, and it came against a Braves team that has spent the past three days pounding Colorado's starting pitchers.

But Moustakas’ value partly lies in the fact he’s seen bad times turn awesome during his 13-season career. Moustakas, 34, began his career with the struggling Royals, who turned their fortunes around en route to a runner-up finish in the 2014 World Series then winning the title a year later. The Rockies signed him during Spring Training, hoping he could help a club that’s similar to his early Royals years.

“Every team is different,” said Moustakas, who knocked his fourth home run of the season in the fifth inning. “You can see little similarities between here and Kansas City in the early years.

“That’s what’s going to happen in this game. You’re going to have to take your lumps. You’re going to have to keep battling every single day, especially the younger guys. They’re still learning how to perform at the big league level, and the only way you’re going to learn is by going through it. They’re going to come out better on the other side.”

Starting pitcher Connor Seabold lasted just three innings on Saturday as he saw the Braves knock four of his pitches to the other side of the fence. He yielded a Matt Olson grand slam in the first, an Ozzie Albies solo shot in the second and consecutive Eddie Rosario and Orlando Arcia homers in the third -- giving up nine runs on nine hits in total.

Seabold’s homerfest came the day after Dinelson Lamet (who was designated for assignment Saturday) yielded eight runs, including three homers, in four innings. Lamet’s farewell performance came a day after the Rockies’ ace, lefty Kyle Freeland, coughed up seven runs and nine hits in 4 1/3 innings against Atlanta.

Realistically, progressing even next year is a tall order for Colorado simply because of starting pitching. The team will need consistency from Freeland and healthy pitchers from Antonio Senzatela (currently on the injured list with a right elbow sprain) to Ryan Feltner (fractured skull). The Rockies will also have to consider exercising a $16 million club option on Germán Márquez and count on quality outings when he returns from Tommy John surgery. Not to mention, hoping for quantum leaps from their better prospects.

Moustakas' role, though, is to remind Colorado to work together until the project comes together, despite being under a one-year deal (with the Reds paying most of his $22 million commitment).

“We’ve just got to pick each other up and keep playing, playing hard behind the boys and they're gonna turn it around -- and when it turns around, it'll be a lot of fun,” he said. “Sometimes you don't pitch, sometimes you don't hit and sometimes you don't do either.”

The Rockies have spent the year proving Moustakas’ statement true.

They had a stretch in May of solid baseball. But an April of poor defense and powerless hitting, and a current run of struggling starting pitching has led to a 29-44 record, which ranks last in the National League West.

Through the struggles, the team captured previews of a hopeful future with some young exciting players inserted to play intentionally, while others were forced into the squad because of injuries.

And Moustakas has witnessed it all. He has lived such a future in the past, not only with the Royals but when he was traded to a Brewers club that had coalesced into a contender a few years back. He also spent three seasons with a Reds team that struggled and released him unceremoniously last offseason but is surging this year.

Moustakas will see the Reds Monday, when the Rockies begin a three-game set at Great American Ball Park.

Moustakas is also among a group of veteran position players and relievers who could be moved before the Trade Deadline for young talent or to clear space for more youth. With a .770 OPS in part-time duty at first, third and designated hitter, Moustakas could reasonably help a contending club.

But Moustakas doesn’t concern himself with the prospect of being moved, and his leadership aptitude may entice the Rockies to keep him.

“I enjoy hanging out with every single one of these guys in the clubhouse and I enjoy teaching and learning from all of them as well,” he said. “It's been a lot of fun, and it's gonna continue to be a lot of fun.

“It happens fast. When you got a bunch of young talent in the clubhouse like we do, it can happen really, really fast.”