Is Drew Pomeranz for real this time?

There’s hope among the highest echelon of the Rockies’ player development staff that what they’re seeing in Colorado Springs is the real deal, that the big, left-handed pitcher acquired three seasons ago in a trade that sent pitching ace Ubaldo Jimenez to Cleveland is about to deliver on his potential.

The Rockies assigned Pomeranz to the Triple-A Sky Sox coming out of spring training, believing he needed to show more command of all of his pitches. After starting 26 games with the Rockies through parts of the past two seasons and compiling a 5.01 ERA with only four victories, the Rockies’ brass wanted him to be a more complete pitcher.

So far, so good for the 24-year-old Pomeranz. He’s 5-0 with two no-decisions for the Sky Sox and has a 3.18 ERA.

With Rockies starters Jeff Francis and Juan Nicasio struggling, the 6-foot-5, 245-pound Pomeranz is putting his name into the conversation if a move is made to bolster the rotation.

Pomeranz said his job is to keep his focus on what is the best start of his professional career, and not worry about a call-up.

“I’ve worked throwing three pitches for strikes,” Pomeranz said. “This is the best I’ve felt in being comfortable throwing all three of my pitches. I’ve probably worked the most on my changeup, and I feel comfortable throwing it.”

An inability to control his fastball, curve and changeup when he was with the Rockies led to high pitch counts and too many big innings.

Jeff Bridich, the Rockies’ director of player development, said he has been pleased with Pomeranz’s performance. But Bridich also mentioned right-hander Tyler Chatwood, who got two spot starts for the Rockies before being sent back down, as being encouraging. There’s speculation that Chatwood, who is 2-1 with the Sky Sox, may get the nod over Pomeranz if a move is made to call up a starter.

But those who have watched Pomeranz closely over the past month see a lot to like.

“We have to remember that Drew was rushed to the major leagues,” Bridich said. “That’s part of his history. He was going to take some lumps at the beginning.”

After acquiring Pomeranz, the Rockies had him make two starts at Double-A Tulsa before he was summoned to the big leagues. He went 2-1 in 2011 with Colorado and 2-9 a year ago.

Sky Sox manager Glenallen Hill, a Rockies coach the past two years, said he sees a more composed and confident pitcher this spring.

“This year Drew has a clear understanding of who he is and where he wants to go,” Hill said. “He’s learned that he doesn’t have to force anything.”

Hill believes Pomeranz has been helped by working with Sky Sox pitching coach Dave Schuler, who was a left-handed pitcher in his playing days.

“Drew has done a great job developing his changeup,” Schuler said. “When he pitches in the big leagues, he’ll face mostly right-handed hitters, and for a left-handed pitcher, a change up is very important. He definitely has the pitches to be in the big leagues.”

Irv Moss: 303-954-1296, imoss@denverpost.com