Future Colorado Rockies: Albuquerque Isotopes August 11 Update

Jul 26, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; A general view during the fourth inning between the Colorado Rockies and the Cincinnati Reds at Coors Field. The Rockies won 17-7. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Trending up (Jairo Diaz): Jairo Diaz was the man acquired in the trade for Josh Rutledge, and while the reliever throws incredibly hard, he also completely lacks command and hasn’t done anything to write home about in AAA this season.

However, in his last four games, he’s thrown six scoreless innings, allowing just five hits and two walks while striking out ten hitters. Take his season stats (43 games, 3-5, 5.03 ERA, 7 saves, 1.72 WHIP, .260 batting average against, and 42 strikeouts to 36 walks) and there’s nothing there to suggest an immediate call-up, but considering he won’t turn 25 until the end of next May, there’s still hope there.

And considering how bad the Rockies’ bullpen has been historically, and specifically this season, well, it’s worth a shot on Diaz to see what he’s got for 2016. With the fastball he has, if he can figure it out… look out.

Trending down (Matt McBride): The versatile first baseman/outfielder/maybe catcher is probably getting cold at the wrong time, going 7-for-41 in his last ten games with a homer, three runs, six RBIs, four walks, and five strikeouts. Despite the .171 batting average over his last ten (take away the wild game this past Thursday and he’s got just three hits in nearly two weeks), McBride is still having a hell of a year, and putting up numbers in a season where he’s missed time with an injury.

In 308 at-bats, McBride is slashing .328/.380/.549 with 12 home runs, 30 doubles and 23 walks against just 41 strikeouts. Clearly, he’s better than a AAA player — and at least deserves another sustained shot in the big leagues — but the Rockies don’t exactly have the room to make that happen on the roster right now, so his future in baseball may end up elsewhere.

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