DENVER -- Kyle Farmer’s bat did all the Rockies’ talking on Thursday night.
Farmer’s fifth-inning home run was the only score off Diamondbacks starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez in the 8-2 loss at Coors Field. Brenton Doyle, finding success in recent weeks, homered off Jalen Beeks in the ninth inning.
As cool as a homer -- Farmer’s sixth of the season -- may be, the Rockies actually look forward to his words. That’s because when the struggling Rockies win, it’s Farmer who gathers the players in the clubhouse for the postgame speech. At 32-89, those postgame speeches are cherished.
Farmer’s graybeardedness makes him the logical candidate to represent the Rockies at Toastmasters International.
On Sunday, Farmer turns 35. He’s the oldest position player, by far, after the club designated catcher Austin Nola, 35, for assignment after the weekend series at Arizona.
Next-oldest is Aaron Schunk at 28.
Until the team’s 6-5 victory at Baltimore on July 25, third baseman Ryan McMahon had gathered the club after wins. But McMahon was traded to the Yankees that morning.
When Farmer entered the clubhouse that evening, he noticed every head and every set of eyes turned his way.
“I’ve done it everywhere I’ve been,” Farmer said. “I did it with Cincinnati. I did it with the Twins. You kind of take on that leadership role, guys look to you, and it’s cool. I think that’s the main reason why I’m here.”
Farmer is a utility infielder whom manager Warren Schaeffer uses against left-handers.
“Farm is very valuable to our team in terms of the way he leads guys in the clubhouse, with such a young group,” Schaeffer said. “He’s always ready to play when his name is called.”
Farmer would prefer more-regular postgame speeches. But no matter how many or how few, he puts thought into making his words touch those who may not have played the most noticeable role in the wins.
Ezequiel Tovar’s eighth-inning home run was the difference in the aforementioned victory in Baltimore. But Farmer pointed out that the Rockies needed to be close enough to come from behind. That night’s pitcher, lefty Kyle Freeland, gave up four solo home runs – but no other runs.
“Free had a rough outing, but outside of the home runs he pitched really well,” Farmer said. “I talked about that. Don’t let a bad inning or innings affect the way you finish a game. So I concentrate on the finer details of the game. It makes people more interested.”
This team is like a classroom. When the Rockies beat the Cardinals on Wednesday on Hunter Goodman’s ninth-inning, two-run homer, the oldest player in the starting batting order was Mickey Moniak, at 27 years and 92 days. Moniak has been the oldest player in the Rockies’ lineup in four of their last six games. According to Elias, Moniak was the youngest player to be the oldest in a Rockies lineup since third baseman Chris Nelson (27 years and 16 days) on Sept. 19, 2012.
After this season, how much room will there be for an older player? Injured infielder Orlando Arcia, 31, is a free agent. The club has mutual options with injured second baseman Thairo Estrada, who'll turn 30 on Feb. 22, and Farmer.
Farmer wants to return, and wants to play another one or two seasons.
To think, Farmer wasn’t sure he would play any.
His father, Brian Farmer, was a Braves Minor League pitcher who reached Triple-A before becoming a national success in real estate signage through Georgia-based Farmer Signs.
“It’s funny -- my dad asked me when I got drafted [Dodgers, eighth round in 2013], ‘How long do you give yourself to make the big leagues before you retire and start a real job?’” Farmer said. “I got drafted when I was [almost] 23, so 28 or something like that. I was 26 when I got called up.”
Farmer, who helps the family business in the offseason, also told his father he’d want to put in 10 years, but with the sport trending younger, there might not be a playing spot for him at 38. But he will give thought to coaching and managing, which would keep him part-time at Farmer Signs.
“I’m a lifer in baseball, but it depends what my wife wants me to do,” Farmer said. “I love my kids and don’t want to miss out on them growing up. Who knows what the future holds? But I’m having fun playing.”