Rockies hire Andre Lipcius to track opposing batters

The Colorado Rockies were outscored by opposing teams in the first two innings more than any other club in Major League Baseball last season. To address that early deficit, the franchise has hired Andre Lipcius as a video advance scout.

General Manager Josh Byrnes confirmed the appointment on Wednesday. Lipcius, 28, will accompany the team on both home and road trips. His primary task is to compile detailed reports on opposing offensive lineups.

The role goes beyond standard pre-game preparation. Byrnes said Lipcius will stay engaged during games to feed information directly into the attack plan. This approach aims to speed up tactical changes while the game is in progress.

"I want him totally focused on their hitters. That is his lane," Byrnes stated. "(Hitting instructor Brett) Pill can do it for pitchers."

Lipcius played as an infielder in the Mexican League this winter. He entered the majors in 2023 after being drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the third round of the 2019 draft. He appeared in 13 major league games before joining the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.

His path crossed with Byrnes while Lipcius starred for the Triple-A Oklahoma City affiliate. Byrnes cited Lipcius's work ethic and understanding of the front office's needs. The manager noted that the team needs shorter, cleaner takeaways that allow for adjustability during play.

The Rockies are also restructuring their pitching staff to improve performance. President of baseball operations Paul DePodesta and Byrnes have selected Ethan Katz as the new pitching coach. The previous coach, Alon Leichman, was let go last month after one season. The new staff will aim to fix a pitching group that has posted the league's worst earned run average for five straight years.