Jordan Pacheco posted a .309 average last year, becoming the first National League rookie to finish in the top five of the batting race since 1974.

He can hit. But can he catch?

As a way to shoehorn his bat into the lineup, the Rockies told Pacheco to continue working on his catching, which he did only sparingly last season after devoting much of his time to learning third base. To that end, Pacheco recently spent a few days in San Luis Obispo, Calif., with Rockies catching instructor Jerry Weinstein. They worked on blocking drills and focused on throwing mechanics. Pacheco started five games at catcher last season, and the ability to play there offers new manager Walt Weiss more flexibility with his lineup.

“I definitely feel comfortable doing it. But I want to make sure the pitchers feel comfortable with me,” said Pacheco, who has spent the winter working out in his hometown of Albuquerque. “In spring training, I need to work with them to create that.”

Pacheco is not the backup catcher. But he’s not out the picture. The situation is fluid. Wilin Rosario, who hit 28 home runs last year but also allowed 21 passed balls, enters spring training as the starter. Veteran Ramon Hernandez could spell him, but will be absent much of March while playing for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. Yorvit Torrealba provides a safety net, returning to the Rockies on a minor-league deal last month.

Pacheco provides a wild card, someone who can ideally sneak at-bats from three positions (third, first and catcher).

“That’s a guy with some versatility and a little bit of a track record of success,” Weiss said. “That’s something we can hold onto and get excited about. And for him to be able to go behind the dish, that’s a valuable guy.”

Footnotes. Center fielder Dexter Fowler remains the one arbitration-eligible player unsigned. The midpoint on the salary figures exchanged is $4.7 million. … Looking to create minor-league depth, the Rockies signed first baseman Ryan Garko and outfielder Greg Golson.

Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1294, trenck@denverpost.com or twitter.com/troyrenck