Rockies’ Pat Valaika making statement with spring training power surge

Colorado Rockies third baseman Pat Valaika (4) throws to first getting Los Angeles Dodgers short stop Gavin Lux (81) out at first in the third inning at Camelback Ranch February 28, 2019. SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Spring training results mean a lot more to some players than others.

For utility player and possible second-base candidate Pat Valaika, it’s hard to overestimate how important this camp is to his Rockies future.

He’s not shrinking from the challenge.

Valaika blasted two home runs Sunday in Colorado’s 9-3 win over San Francisco at Salt River Fields. He has hit three home runs in two days, and his swing looks like the one that in 2017 powered four pinch-hit home runs and produced a major…