Rockies have built solid catching depth

ST. LOUIS — An emphasis on improving catching depth is paying off for the Rockies this season — and there is even more quality behind what’s appearing in the Majors.

Veteran Nick Hundley is on the disabled list with a left oblique strain, and was out earlier with a concussion. But Tony Wolters, a pickup from the Indians organization who made the Rockies’ Opening Day roster despite not having played above Double-A previously, ranks sixth in the Majors in called strikes above average (CSAA) despite playing part-time. That means he is among the elite at “framing,” or enhancing the chance a borderline pitch is called a strike. Dustin Garneau has been dependable in two callups in Hundley’s absence.

And the future is in good shape.

Tom Murphy, a third-round pick in the 2012 Draft and the Rockies’ No. 9 prospect according to MLBPipeline.com, has hit .294 with two home runs and 10 RBIs at Triple-A Albuquerque since recovering from his oblique injury. Also, No. 8 prospect Dom Nunez, playing at Class A Advanced Modesto at 21 as a converted infielder, went into Tuesday with a .269 batting average and a .389 on-base percentage, and has received high marks for leadership and defense.

“It’s certainly something that five or six years ago as an organization, we decided to …

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