Colorado Rockies Roster News: March 9 Transactions

The Colorado Rockies announced the first of the many roster adjustments of Spring Training today. There were six players reassigned to minor league camp after getting a taste of what it is like to be a part of the major league clubhouse.

The list of six is headlined by top prospects Ryan McMahon (1B/3B) and pitcher Ryan Castellani, along with pitchers Johendi Jiminian, and Sam Howard. The other two players reassigned were catcher Chris Rabago and outfielder Rosell Herrera.

McMahon is ranked as the Rockies 8th by MLBPipeline.com going into 2017. Watch a video here. He registered 12 at bats during spring training getting one hit and one RBI. While he clearly isn’t ready for the show he likely gained valuable experience being around the major league players, especially Nolan Arenado at third base. Hopefully it was the start of a successful 2017 campaign for McMahon who disappointed in 2016 after a stellar 2015 that put him on most top prospect lists last year. The infielder will likely start the year in Hartford and work to prove he should be called up to the Isotopes.

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Castellani, a starting pitching prospect ranked 7th in the Rockies organization by MLBPipeline.com, also struggled in his first taste of major league competition. He totaled 3 innings pitched in 2 different games, but had an ERA of 12.00. The good news was he struck out 4 people showing he possesses the stuff needed at higher levels. He could join McMahon in AA after a very successful year at high A Modesto in 2016.

Johendi Jiminian and Sam Howard both could factor into the bullpen for the Rockies in 2017. Howard did not allow an earned run over 4.0 innings pitched this spring, and could start the year with the Yard Goats after spending 2016 in Modesto. Jiminian, who pitched for the Goats in 2016 earned 2 saves this spring, and will likely transition to AAA at some point this year.

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The Rockies spring training roster now sits at 56, leaving 16 non-roster with the club in Arizona. It will be interesting to see the continued cuts the Rockies will make prior the start of the regular season.