ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, July 27, 1996 TAG: 9607290051
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: From Associated Press and Baltimore Sun reports
David Nied, the Colorado Rockies' first-ever draft pick in 1992, was demoted Friday from Colorado Springs to the Class A Salem Avalanche of the Carolina League.
Nied, often injured after starting the first game in franchise history in 1993, was shelled in his last start for Colorado Springs, the Rockies' Pacific Coast League Class AAA farm club. In an 11-10 home loss to Vancouver, Nied lasted just 31/3 innings, allowing seven runs on nine hits. He walked two batters and struck out two. He pitched behind in the count to 12 of the 20 batters he faced.
Colorado Springs manager Brad Mills said the organization had to do something with Nied, who was struggling.
``He understands the situation,'' Mills said of Nied, 27, whose career has been in flux since he tore an elbow ligament in 1993. ``He's not throwing the ball well. He's not being successful. There was no other alternative, really.''
He had struggled in most of his 16 PCL starts this season, going 3-8 with a 12.27 ERA. He managed to get past the fourth inning just seven times. Six of his starts lasted less than three innings.
In 621/3 innings, he allowed 116 hits and 32 walks. That translates to nearly a bases-loaded situation every inning he pitched. Opponents were hitting .401 against him. He was placed on the disabled list from May 12-June 5 with a sore right arm.
``We're concerned with his mental state,'' Mills said. ``It was tough for him, but he wants to improve.''
Nied was 17-16 with a 4.87 ERA in parts of three seasons for Colorado.
LENGTH: Short : 42 linesby CNB