Colorado Rockies Rundown: Nolan, CarGo, Morneau, Chatwood And Call-Ups

Mar 1, 2015; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies outfielder C. Gonzalez (left) and infielder N. Arenado pose for a portrait during photo day at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Your morning rundown — news, notes, analysis, and more — on the biggest stories surrounding the Colorado Rockies for this Thursday, September 3, 2015.

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The Colorado Rockies just split a four-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks after a big win on Wednesday night in Denver. However, there’s no rest for the weary: the reeling San Francisco Giants are coming to town, struggling on their road trip thus far and desperate for a win (or four).

We’ll have more on the Giants coming up in our series preview in a couple hours, but until then, let’s cover some important Rockies stories from the last 24 hours.

Here’s what’s going down in today’s edition of the rundown:

• The Colorado Rockies make September call-ups! Expect some more to come, too.
• Justin Morneau is dominating his time in rehab.
• The Colorado Rockies announce their Arizona Fall League participants. Well, some of them.
• Cristhian Adames is getting recognition in the Pacific Coast League.
• Get ready for a six-man rotation, you guys!
• Nolan Arenado and Carlos Gonzalez are dominating the National League.
• Tyler Chatwood possibly nears a return to Denver.

Lots to discuss! Let’s cover today’s news and notes around the Colorado Rockies.

Next: September call-ups are here!

Mar 22, 2015; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher M. Castro (71) throws a warm up pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Rockies expand their roster

(via MLB.com)

The Colorado Rockies made news with some September call-ups this week. As to be expected, Cristhian Adames, Wilin Rosario, Rex Brothers and Miguel Castro came up from AAA immediately on the first of September, with Brooks Brown and Justin Miller joining the bullpen a few days later (and getting their first Major League win, and save, respectively, in the process!).

In addition to the call-ups, Kyle Kendrick and Boone Logan were activated from the disabled list, so the Rockies’ bullpen is deep right now, which is never a bad thing.

Expect that a few more call-ups will come when Albuquerque finishes their season next week, too. Trevor Story may not be one of them; he’s not on the 40-man roster and it’s unlikely the Colorado Rockies would designate a player to bring Story up now, when he’s more likely to be called up in 2016, but at least allow yourself to enjoy Adames, who promises to be a very good middle infielder in his own right.

For what it’s worth, Walt Weiss says David Hale — who will likely be activated on Thursday before the Giants’ series — will likely be the Rockies’ final September call-up. Also expect Justin Morneau to return from the disabled list soon. Speaking of which…

Next: Justin Morneau dominates rehab

Apr 21, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies first baseman J. Morneau (33) is congratulated after scoring in the fourth inning against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Morneau dominates in AA

(via MLB.com)

Justin Morneau has apparently decided that he doesn’t want to do any more rehab assignments, because he crushed AA New Britain in the five games he spent there tuning up for a big league return.

In his five games with the Rock Cats, Morneau was 9-for-18 with two home runs and nine RBIs. It’ll be interesting to see if and when the Rockies can activate him, and see if they can have him play a bit to finish the year here.

I think Ben Paulsen has more than earned next year’s first base job, especially in light of how cheap he is relative to Morneau’s 2016 mutual option, but a little bit of an audition for Morneau this month would let him find another club a bit easier for the 2016 season.

Next: The Rockies announce their AFL prospects

Oct. 9, 2014; Mesa, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies infielder T. Featherston plays for the Salt River Rafters against the Mesa Solar Sox during an Arizona Fall League game at Cubs Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Colorado Rockies prep for fall league

(via MLB.com)

The Colorado Rockies have announced five of the seven players they are sending to Arizona Fall League: AAA catcher Tom Murphy, AA pitcher Matt Carasiti, AA pitcher Carlos Estevez, AA pitcher Sam Moll, and AA infielder/oufielder Jordan Patterson.

The Rockies have two more spots (likely one pitcher and one outfielder), so they aren’t done with who they’ll send to the AFL, but those five guys — who will play for the Salt River Rafters — are a good start. We’ll have quite a bit more on them tomorrow morning in a special post on what you need to know about the Rockies’ AFL participants.

As for the extra two spots, I’d expect the outfielder to be David Dahl, in part because of his status as a top prospect in the Rockies’ organization, and in part because of his missed time this year due to a spleen injury. More at-bats certainly would be helpful to him at this point.

Raimel Tapia may well be another outfield option for the Rockies. A dark horse, too: Omar Carrizales, who had been at the top of the South Atlantic League’s leaderboard in batting until he faded in the last ten days down the stretch. He’s still hitting .300/.350/.430 in just under 100 games for the Asheville Tourists.

As for the pitcher, it’s anyone’s guess; Harrison Musgrave would certainly fit the bill, though he’s thrown a lot of innings this year. Kyle Freeland could certainly use the work after dealing with an injury this spring, though he may not be developed enough to be ready for the elite AFL. Antonio Senzatela, Zach Jemiola, Helmis Rodriguez, Sam Howard, and Carlos Polanco have all done well in Asheville, though again, they may not be developed enough for the AFL.

Guess we’ll find out soon enough!

Next: Cristhian Adames gets his due

Jul 26, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher K. Kendrick (38) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Hello, six-man rotation!

(via MLB.com)

Prepare yourselves — the Colorado Rockies are going to a non-traditional rotation!! This isn’t the four-man rotation that destroyed the 2012 season, but rather a six-man bid that now includes Kyle Kendrick, as he’s been activated from the disabled list.

Kendrick will join Jorge De La Rosa, Chris Rusin, Chad Bettis, Yohan Flande and Jon Gray in the rotation, although perhaps David Hale will sneak a start here or there, as well. (No, it doesn’t appear Eddie Butler is returning to Denver this month, if Walt Weiss’ comments are to be believed.)

Eh. An extra day of rest for everybody down the stretch on a team going nowhere isn’t a bad thing. It also means each of these guys gets about five more starts this year. Start the countdown!

Next: CarGo and Nolan

Aug 23, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder Carlos Gonzalez (5) celebrates with third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) after hitting a home run during the fourth inning against the New York Mets at Coors Field. The Mets won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Nolan and CarGo keep killin’ it

(via Twitter)

Nolan Arenado and Carlos Gonzalez are currently fighting it out (also with Paul Goldschmidt) for the NL lead in home runs. Nolan also has taken the NL lead in RBIs. It’s a fun contest to watch.

For Nolan, there’s already some history that’s been made as a third baseman in the Colorado Rockies’ organization:

And some still to go:

CarGo won’t catch Nolan for the RBI lead, but he may well win the home run race, which would spoil a potentially special season for Nolan, but give the Colorado Rockies a second massive offensive weapon… on a team that might finish 30 games under .500.

Next: The return of Tyler Chatwood?

Apr 18, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher T. Chatwood (27) pitches the ball in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Chatwood comes back?

(via MiLB.com)

Not a ton to report here, but it is good news for the Colorado Rockies: Tyler Chatwood threw two innings for Class-A Advanced Modesto on Wednesday night, allowing a run on three hits and two walks while striking out one. (The run was a solo home run.)

Chatwood may still be a ways from big league action as he tries to extend his innings back to starter duty. So, he may not throw for the Rockies this year — or perhaps he could in short bursts in relief, just to keep getting work this month after the minor league seasons end — but it looks like he’ll certainly be raring to go in 2016. Thank goodness.

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