SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Two years ago, Nolan Arenado was a rookie who trailed veteran Todd Helton around the Rockies’ clubhouse like a lost puppy.
Last spring, Arenado took his marching orders from Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez.
But a funny thing happened when Tulo and CarGo got hurt and missed much of the second half of the season. Arenado grew up — in a hurry.
“I took a lot of pride in taking another step forward,” the third baseman said Friday as the Rockies went through their first full-squad workouts of camp. “When Tulo and CarGo went down, I got to hit third and fourth in some games. I took pride in that, because that’s the position I want to be in someday.”
Despite missing 37 games with a broken finger, Arenado set career highs in home runs (18), doubles (34), RBIs (61), average (.287) and OPS (.828). When batting third, he hit .287 with four homers in 64 at-bats. Batting cleanup, he hit .266 with seven homers in 128 at-bats.
Oh, yes, he also won his second consecutive Gold Glove at age 23.
“This is a guy that loves to practice, loves to play, has a passion every time he puts on a uniform,” manager Walt Weiss said. “I think he’s a star in the making.”
Betancourt’s comeback. Former closer Rafael Betancourt is throwing without pain, but the 39-year-old right-hander will have to impress his bosses during Cactus League games to have a chance to rejoin the bullpen.
“Let’s call it what it is,” Weiss said. “He’s been out of the game for a little while and he’s getting up there in age, but we all know what he brings to the bullpen and the team. He’s one of the best pros I’ve ever been around. We’re just hoping to see him healthy and hope he can rebound after an outing. Those are things we will be tuned in on.”
Betancourt earned 57 saves with Colorado from 2009-13.
He didn’t pitch in the major leagues last season as he recovered from Tommy John surgery.
“Right now I can throw the ball without pain and with no fear,” said Betancourt, who threw his first bullpen session of spring training Thursday. “But it’s different now. I always cared about (spring) games before, but I was always working on things. Now I have to first show them that I’m healthy.”
Footnotes. Weiss hasn’t decided who will start the Rockies’ opener at Milwaukee on April 6. The most obvious candidate is left-hander Jorge De La Rosa, but given De La Rosa’s success at Coors Field, the Rockies might save him for the home opener April 10 against the Chicago Cubs. … CarGo shagged flyballs Friday with a white glove adorned with a gray Nike swoosh. CarGo’s black cleats sported white-and-purple laces, a purple Nike swoosh and a strap across the laces with “CARGO” embossed in gold.
Patrick Saunders: psaunders@denverpost.com or twitter.com/psaundersdp
