Rockies infield coach Mike Gallego saw raw ability, plenty of rough edges and a shortstop needing ample time to develop when he initially watched Troy Tulowitzki the final month of last season.

"To be honest with you, when I first saw him play, I thought, 'This guy's a long ways away,' " Gallego said.

It wasn't much different during spring training, where, Gallego recalled, "I still thought he has a lot of work ahead of him."

Gallego played all or part of 13 seasons in the majors and evaluated Tulowitzki through that prism.

"All he's done is prove (me) wrong," Gallego said. "I did know one thing he had over anybody else was the confidence in his ability to play in the major leagues.

"I didn't give him much credit because I really didn't see him play that much. Now that I'm seeing him day in and day out, this kid is definitely a future Gold Glover, All-Star, possibly (National League) Rookie of the Year this year. This guy is only going to get better and better and better just by (gaining) the knowledge of the opponents."

When Tulowitzki came up in August 2006, after 126 games and 517 at-bats spread over two seasons in the minors, one mild criticism was he didn't come to grounders as well as needed in the majors, where the game is faster.

Asked whether Tulowitzki has improved in that area, Gallego said, "He's not doing it any better, but he's playing major league Gold Glove-quality shortstop. Who's going to fix something that's not broke?"

Gallego said it's an area where Tulowitzki knows he should get better and that at Coors Field, where he's so familiar with the height of the grass and the speed of the playing surface, "He'll go and get the ball more than anywhere else. But he still has a tendency to sit back and trust his arm. And I tell you what, I trust it, too."

Tulowitzki leads all major league shortstops in total chances and assists and had made seven errors before committing two in the ninth inning Monday. It was his first two-error game and Tulowitzki had committed only two errors in his previous 65 games.

While Tulowitzki still will take his full complement of groundballs during the offseason, his "main focus is to get better offensively."

Despite a recent dip, Tulowitzki, 22, is hitting .272 with 12 home runs and 49 RBI. A notorious free-swinger in the minor leagues, Tulowitzki said he has become more patient, in part by being more comfortable.

"Last year, I came up in September and I wanted to prove everything to everyone that I was everything that everyone said I was," Tulowitzki said. "That I had the power and the big bat for a shortstop.

"Guys know that I have a lot of tools, and now it's just a matter of getting better each and every day. I think that's what I'm doing."

In print, Tulowitzki, the Rockies' first pick in 2005 and seventh player drafted overall, might sound egotistical. And Gallego said when Tulowitzki reached the Rockies last year, he spoke about getting to the majors very soon and "sounded very cocky."

But after getting to know Tulowitzki well, Gallego said, "that cockiness is confidence," which has served Tulowitzki well within the 25-player dynamic.

"Now, getting to know him and watching him blend in, he's a major part of that group, not just as a teammate," Gallego said.

"He's a leader. He came in and took over — that infield is his."

Said Tulowitzki: "That's the biggest improvement I've made from last year to this year is just being more vocal and taking more of a leadership role and knowing that I'm a big part of this team and not just a guy that's thrown out there."

During spring training, Tulowitzki had to fend off a challenge from Clint Barmes, whom he replaced at shortstop the final month of last season. That competition became rather one-sided.

"Once he made the club, we talked about things he had to do," Gallego said. "He just gave me a nod — he didn't say much at all. Just kind of gave me a nod and went about his business.

"He's one of those guys that every once in a while, he'll come and ask you something. But for the most part, we just watch and enjoy."

The pleasure came sporadically early when Tulowitzki batted .193 during his first 16 games this season. That slump seems an eon ago, given Tulowitzki's progress and steady play.

Ten of his 12 home runs have come since June 7, including three in the ninth, 10th and 11th innings in late June that gave the Rockies the lead only to have closer Brian Fuentes falter.

Gallego said Tulowitzki is a "very mature 22" and praised him for his heart, character and "nerves of steel."

Indeed, Gallego said if there is a list of desired attributes in a player, few are missing with Tulowitzki.

"Looks to steal a base," Gallego said. "Not afraid to steal a base. Makes the routine play, makes the great play, makes the backhand play, turns the double play.

"Offensively, you can go down the line. One thing he probably needs to work on is his bunting, but who wants him to bunt?"

Young shortstops long on talent

Young shortstops long on talent Two of the National League's best young shortstops are on display this week at Coors Field in the Rockies' Troy Tulowitzki and the Brewers' J.J. Hardy. They are among a talented group that also includes the Mets' Jose Reyes, the Marlins' Hanley Ramirez and the Diamondbacks' Stephen Drew. An NL scout, who asked to remain anonymous so it didn't appear he was tampering, offers his views on them:

Head of the class: If you weigh defense and offense equal, I would probably have to put Reyes at the top of the pack because he's one or two in defense and two in offense. Ramirez is one in offense and down closer to the bottom in defense.

Next in line: After Reyes, if you weighed defense and offense equal, 'Tulo' is far above Ramirez defensively. Ramirez is far above 'Tulo' offensively. But if you look at the whole bunch, I would have to put 'Tulo' second and then Ramirez, and then Hardy, and then Drew.

Mr. Excitement: When I saw Reyes early in the year, he was the most exciting player in the league - the way he can run, the way he can throw, the plays he made and the way he hit the ball and can steal bases.

Mr. Offense: I think Ramirez by far is the best offensive player of the bunch. He has power and stolen bases, not as many as Reyes, but he steals bases. He hits the ball out of the park. He's a solid offensive player. Defensively, I like his tools, but he's careless with everything.

Arms race: Reyes and Tulowitzki have the best arms. Totally different arm actions, but they both have very good arm strength. Reyes probably does it easier than 'Tulo' does. 'Tulo' has to wind up a little bit to get it going, but there's nothing wrong with either one of their throwing actions.

Range: What I saw of Reyes last year and early in the year, his range was fine. He got to balls. Looking at (stats), I was shocked that Tulowitzki has many more chances than the other guys. I don't know the answer to that. This is my sixth or seventh game to watch him play. I don't see exceptional range, but I see him getting to balls.

More Tulowitzki: Offensively, I think 'Tulo's a much improved hitter strengthwise over what he was a year ago. Now I've seen him drive balls a long ways to right-center (field). I think he's going to have good power.

More Hardy: Hardy has surprised me with his power. I saw him last year and he showed some power, but I thought he was just getting a lot of cripple pitches to hit. He's been a much improved hitter this year. I saw him hit home runs this year to right field, too. It surprised me that he had that kind of power and it surprised me that he went with the ball and went that far. The games I saw Hardy play this year, he picked the ball up and threw it OK. He didn't show a plus arm. His range to me is slightly above average, not like 'Tulo's.

More Drew: Drew I saw very early in the season. I thought he would hit for a better average than what he's doing. He was a pretty selective hitter when I saw him, and his average is not there. He's got good range but showed inconsistent range. He didn't show the arm that 'Tulo' or Reyes have. His arm is close to Hardy's.

etkinj@RockyMountainNews.com

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