The Immature Nolan Arenado

by Jake Rafferty on Jun 28, 2025 4:45 PM EDT

General manager Dan O'Dowd indicated that Arenado will likely finish the season with Double-A Tulsa rather than be promoted to the Rockies, the Denver Post's Patrick Saunders reports. He's hitting .293/.349/.428 at Tulsa. Spin: Even though 2012 will probably go down as a lost season for the Rockies, there's no need for the team to rush Arenado to the big leagues with Jordan Pacheco batting over .300. Arenado could reach the majors as a September call-up, but don't expect him to be immediately inserted into the lineup upon his arrival. O'Dowd referred to Arenado's maturity as a reason for keeping him down. "Arenado's maturity level has not yet reached his talent level," O'Dowd said. Thu, Jun 28

Just saw this a little bit ago. Makes me wonder what exactly they mean by "maturity level." That being said. This is probably the best thing for him. Might as well let him grow in the minors so he doesn't flop in his first stint in the bigs.

Tweet Comment 15 comments | Add comment | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Not too alarming but definitely something to reflect on

Usually management doesn’t call players out for maturity issues in the middle of the season. They are probably trying to send a message that if he doesn’t get his attitude in check that he won’t be able to reach his full potential.

Big Sexy

Follow KBR and Dewey on Twitter! @KBRandDewey

by King Billy Royal on Jun 28, 2025 4:50 PM EDT reply actions

Chris Nelson

has also had a very good June. I’ve always liked him; btw him and Pachecho as a UT, no reason to bring him up now. Perhaps a Sept cup & promotion this time next year.

by BigG'S on Jun 28, 2025 5:13 PM EDT via Android app reply actions

Maybe Dan O'Dowd is just a bit punchy

He has the worst pitching in baseball, which is probably his own fault, and if this artful subterfuge of foregoing starting pitching (rather than, say, calling Drew Pomeranz back up) blows up in his face, he’ll live to eat it. Maybe he’s a little on edge, and this “immaturity” comment was a Freudian slip.

Also, why would he go out of his way to say that Michael Cuddyer is unavailable? Sounds like exactly the kind of guy who should be “available” right now? I’m not sure Dan O’Dowd is the man for this job.

by Brownson on Jun 28, 2025 6:00 PM EDT reply actions

Here's what I don't get...

Going into this season, every source I had read (including a few folks who post here, so I welcome their comments) said that Arenado was a model citizen on and off the ball diamond, even showing maturity beyond his years. How did we go from that perception (mostly notes from the pre-season) to this statement by O’Dowd? Anyone have any first-hand insight? Thanks.

by dbreer23 on Jun 28, 2025 7:07 PM EDT reply actions

I never thought he was immature

but then again, I dont call the guy up to BS every now and then so I don’t really know. I’m more trying to wrap my head around why O’Dowd would say this. I have never heard anything negative about Arenado’s maturity. But I also understand that he is a young player and perhaps O’Dowd is simply referring to the fact that he needs more seasoning. He implies that the skills are ready to hit major league pitching, but by saying he needs more maturity, maybe O’Dowd means he’s just not ready for the adjustment to the Majors. There is a huge difference between playing in the minors and playing in the bigs. AAAA players are, to me at least, a pretty good example. They have the skills, but just cant handle the pressure.

I don’t know if this is what O’Dowd means, but I hope that it is.

by Jake Rafferty on Jun 28, 2025 8:08 PM EDT reply actions

I should say...

SOME of them have the skills, but can’t handle the pressure.

by Jake Rafferty on Jun 28, 2025 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions

maturity

could be a reference to a mature approach at the plate?

doesnt he have a tendency to get a little too aggressive?

For in depth fantasy analysis be sure to visit the Hawk Fantasy Sports site @ www.HawkBall.com

by PHGold09 on Jun 29, 2025 11:35 AM EDT reply actions

7.3% BB rate and 11.7% K rate in 2012

I wouldn’t call him aggressive based on just those numbers.

by Boxkutter on Jun 29, 2025 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Keith Law

tweeted earlier this week that he’s been hearing from scouts for at least a month about Arenado having makeup questions . And FWIW, BA 2012 Prospect Book commended Arenado’s work ethic but also said he gets emotional at times…

by Buckb-2 on Jun 29, 2025 11:01 PM EDT reply actions

it's probably all bs

. .its just my view as someone from the outside but, this is something that happens a lot when a player doesn’t meet lofty expectations. When this happens many people look all sorts of places except to thier own judgement - similar to bad poker players.

What is interesting to me is how often, if you just look back more carefully, that the expectations were unreasonable.

Arenado hit .298 .349 .487 in the California League at age 20
.. now he is .294 .349 .427 in AA at the age of 21

That “disapointing” stat line for this year makes perfect sense, doesn’t it? It’s easier to put up numbers in the Cal League and the pitchers aren’t as good.

I doubt Nolan has any makeup issues except maybe getting a tad discouraged with people expecting him to be the next Scott Rolen or, whatever we thought he was going to be, while he is learning to play baseball. He remains a good, young 3b prospect. It is really just the Rockies maybe and, many of us as well, who misjudged his talent a bit perhaps.

Im as guilty as anybody. I put him at 13 on my list pre-season and, Will Myers at 15. This, even though if you had asked me who was the better talent I think I would have said “Myers” and , if there was a draft and both were available I think I would have taken Myers as well. Strange, becuase it seems like it should have been obvious now.

"The worst things that you say sound better than the best things that some other people say" - Hannah Horvath

by casejud on Jun 30, 2025 3:46 PM EDT reply actions

one small quibble with your numbers

Yeah, the Cal is a great place to hit . . .but the Texas League North is VERY hitter-friendly as well. I’ll admit I’m a little surprised that Arenado hasn’t hit for more power in Tulsa.

by mrkupe on Jun 30, 2025 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions

I believe you

.. but, then again, the TL league SLG is .386 this season . . . it was .430 in the Cal last year . . . and it is AA. Maybe we should quit being surprised and disappointed?

"The worst things that you say sound better than the best things that some other people say" - Hannah Horvath

by casejud on Jul 1, 2025 1:12 AM EDT up reply actions

I think Mr. PHGold and Mr. Rafferty are correct in this "maturity" issue is on-field related, and not off.

I had a chance to spend some time with Arenado last year in the AFL and found him to be well spoken and respectful for his age.

If being “mentally” mature was a factor, Bryce Harper would still be in Hagerstown.

Regardless of what these kids do for a living or how much money they have, they’re still kids.

Every once in awhile a situation will present itself and they’ll react to it the same as any other 19-20 year old kid.

by mlbprospectpulse on Jul 1, 2025 3:11 PM EDT reply actions

and like many 39-40 year old "men", too!

by scooter on Jul 1, 2025 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions

'If being "mentally" mature was a factor, Bryce Harper would still be in Hagerstown.'

I don’t know, man. Harper is really pulling quite the con then as he seems almost preternaturally poised in just about every media piece/blurb I see. It’s largely meaningless, sure, but see his barely day old comment re: Chipper Jones & the additional All Star thing as another sign that Harper seems to get it.

by Matt0330 on Jul 2, 2025 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions