Weekend Roundup from the Farm: Things Just Got a Little Less Exciting In Tulsa

1) Alex White and Drew Pomeranz have Both Made Their Last Start For the Drillers This Season – But Not For the Same Reason. 

A funny thing happened last week in Tulsa.  The pure talent in the Drillers rotation, which included Alex White, Drew Pomeranz, and Christian Friedrich may have surpassed the pure talent in the rotation of its parent club only a few hours  to the northwest.  (You may never be able to say that again as long as you live)  The winds of change certainly blew through Oklahoma this weekend however as after yet another disappointing performance from Jason Hammel Friday night (6 earned runs in only 3 inning pitched against an Andre Ethierless Dodger lineup), Alex White was called up to the big club.  (Piece #1 taken away from the Drillers rotation)  White will make his first start for Colorado tomorrow.  If you haven’t purchased tickets to that game yet, I suggest you do so.  This could be the start of a very memorable career.  (The weather’s supposed to be beautiful too.)

Unfortunately, Drew Pomeranz’s leaving the Tulsa rotation is packaged with bad news.  As was reported yesterday, Pomeranz was rushed to the hospital Saturday night to undergo an emergency appendectomy.  (Piece #2 taken away from the Drillers rotation)  Thankfully this is not a pitching injury and will have no impact on his career, but it could disrupt the path to the big leagues the Rockies wanted to place him on.  It would not surprise me at all if Pomeranz made an appearance in the Arizona Fall League just to get some work in.

2) Those Other Two Really Important Rockie Pitching Prospects

With all that’s been going on with the two big prospects the Rockies received in the Indians trade, it’s easy to forget about Tyler Matzek and Chad Bettis.

Matzek made what I would consider an encouraging start yesterday going 7 innings while allowing four runs on seven hits.  However, he only walked two and those wild pitches that have been a trademark of his outings this season were noticeably absent.  It’s a baby step, but on paper it looks like a step in the right direction.  Matzek has the “stuff” to be an ace in Denver one day; he just needs to learn to harness it.  That’s why the good (the lack of walks) in this outing trumps the bad (the seven hits) in my opinion.

Chad Bettis was also on the mound yesterday.  His start for Modesto was rather forgettable though as he went 5IP, allowing just one run on three hits and no walks.  Not that there’s anything wrong with that outing (in fact it’s very good) –  It’s just that his previous three starts were even better than this so there’s nothing really big to report on here beyond the very encouraging fact that Bettis continues to have a real breakout season in High A.

3) Familiar Faces in the Springs

Yesterday, Ryan Spilborghs went 2-4 with an RBI in his second rehab game for AAA Colorado Springs; a 6-5 loss to Salt Lake.  Tonight, Huston Street and Matt Lindstrom will join Spilborghs as each are scheduled to begin rehab assignments of their own.  Both Rockie relievers went on the DL earlier this month – Street on the 9th with a right triceps strain and Lindstrom the following day with an “upper right arm” injury.  In other words, there’s actually a good reason to pay attention to the Sky Sox tonight.

4) Oh Yeah, There’s A Bat in Tulsa Worth Mentioning Too

By all accounts, Tulsa catcher Wilin Rosario has had a disappointing season.  However, he may have saved his best month for last as he’s gotten hot over the last couple of weeks.  After hitting his 19th home run of the season yesterday (his third in five games), Rosario now has a seven game hitting streak.  He also has a .976 OPS over the last ten games.  It’s not all good news for this important prospect however – During that same 10 game stretch, Rosario has not drawn a single walk, only has a .317 OBP, and has struck out 11 times.  Our “catcher of the future” is quickly becoming an enigma and I plan to delve deep into his situation when Tulsa’s season ends.

5) Bombs Away

Two early picks in the 2011 draft flexed their muscle yesterday in Casper as the Ghosts defeated the Mustangs 7-4 in the second game of a double header.  Carl Thomore took Billings starter Daniel Jensen deep with a solo shot in the second inning while Trevor Story took reliever Patrick Quinn out with a solo home run of his own in the 6th.  Rosell Herrera also went yard with a two run blast in the first.  All three home runs either tied the game, or gave the Ghosts the lead.  (It was nice to see Thomore get a big hit as he’s really struggled so far in his limited time in Casper.)

6) The (Awesome) Beat Goes On In Modesto

I don’t even know if it should be news anymore at this point but yesterday Josh Rutledge was on base multiple times (2 walks) AGAIN, and Nolan Arenado drove in multiple runs (a bases clearing double) AGAIN.  The things these two are doing right now make visions of sugarplums dance in my head as I dream about the 2013 Rockies lineup.  In the next report, we’ll dive deep into the amazing numbers these two are putting up.  They are nothing short of staggering.