J.D.

Closser

Closser could be a candidate to make the Rockies next year. He’ll open this season in Triple-A.

Closser, acquired from the Diamondbacks along with Jack Cust prior to the 2002 season, is an offensive-minded catcher, but the Rockies are happy with how he’s progressed defensively this season. He could replace Charles Johnson as the team’s regular catcher in 2005, making him a decent fantasy prospect.

According to the story, they would then ship Beltran out of town for pitching prospects. A team official said the idea ''makes absolutely no sense,’' and he’s right. The Rockies are better off with the commodities they know than prospects they don’t.

The switch-hitting catcher is the Rockies’ backstop of the future. He was hitting .299-3-38 with a 27/29 bb/k rate for Triple-A Colorado Springs. He’s expected to return there shortly.

But sending him to the minors is still the answer, right? Closser is 7-for-12 with five extra-base hits in the Rockies’ last four games. He has five homers in 47 at-bats since the beginning of July.

He’s 7-for-12 in his past four games with three runs, two doubles, two triples, one home run and four RBIs. He was prepared to be sent to the minors until Todd Greene was injured recently. ''I had nothing to lose, so I just decided to play my game and see what happened,’' he said. ''I figured if I did that, I’d be in good shape.’' He needs to hold that thought.

Closser had slumped lately, and since Yorvit Torrealba was set to get most of the playing time behind the plate, the Rockies figured they were better off letting Closser get regular at-bats in the minors. Closser hit .197/.279/.329 with 11 RBI in 76 at-bats while Danny Ardoin was on the DL.

Closser was hitting .299/.381/.467 in Triple-A, but because of his issues on defense, he’s probably not working his way back into the Rockies’ plans. He’ll share time with Miguel Ojeda until either Yorvit Torrealba or Danny Ardoin comes off the DL.

The Rockies made their choice when they called up Chris Iannetta to replace Danny Ardoin last week. Closser will probably be on his way out of the organization after spending the final four weeks as a No. 3 catcher.

Closser is batting .382 in 18 games for the Rockies. Even so, he was making just his second start in five games tonight.