Colorado Rockies: April 20 Minor League Report and Prospect Update

Class AAA Albuquerque Isotopes (6-8, Fourth in PCL-Pacific Southern)

Monday (@Tacoma, L 3-4)

Ex-Rockie Christian Bergman got to exact some revenge on his former organization. Despite trailing most of the game, Bergman earned the win as Albuquerque coughed up a 3-1 lead in the sixth inning, thanks to back-to-back dingers.

Offensively, Noel Cuevas went deep while catcher Anthony Bemboom collected two RBI on his lone hit. On another note of importance, Chad Qualls made a rehab appearance, striking out the only batter he faced. The big club is waiting until Qualls can complete back-to-back outings.

Tuesday (vs. Reno, L 4-7)

After an impressive Spring Training, right-hander Zach Jemiola has struggled mightily out of the gate. Tuesday’s action was no different. Over 5.2 innings pitched, Jemiola gave seven earned runs and allowed a blistering four home runs. Post game action, Jemiola’s ERA sits at 9.53.

Albuquerque never had a chance in this one, but there were some positives. Mainly, third baseman Derrik Gibson went 3-for-4 with a double. In total, Albuquerque out hit the opposition 9-8, but only managed a 2-for-13 line with runners in scoring position.

Wednesday (vs. Reno, L 1-5)

Albuquerque would lose their sixth consecutive game on Wednesday. ‘Topes batters couldn’t scratch out a base hit until Raimel Tapia led off the seventh inning with a single. Derrik Gibson‘s RBI single was the single high note for Albuquerque hitters.

Harrison Musgrave was tallied with the loss as he surrendered three earned runs over 4.2 innings of work. Relievers Sam Moll and Matt Carasiti combined for three innings of scoreless work despite giving up four hits.

Weekend Probables

Thursday, 6:35 PM MT: German Marquez (0-0, 1.69 ERA) vs. Reno
Friday, 7:05 PM MT: TBD vs. Reno
Saturday, 7:05 PM MT: TBD vs. Tacoma
Sunday, 1:35 PM MT: TBD vs. Tacoma

Class AA Hartford Yard Goats (3-9, Sixth in Eastern League)

Monday (vs. Harrisburg, L 14-16)

Contrary to the score, no, Hartford and Harrisburg did not ditch bats and gloves for pads and helmets. Surprisingly, it also took 13 complete innings to settle this shootout. In total, 15 hits were cranked out by both sides. Most notably, Rockies top ten prospect Ryan McMahon put on a laser show with five hits and six RBI. When all the dust settled, McMahon was a double shy of the cycle.

As the final score indicates, the Hartford pitching staff got taken for a ride. Seven pitchers came on in relief in the sixth inning or later. Of those seven, only two managed scoreless work, while the others combined to walk 10 batters and surrender 13 runs. Starting pitcher Ryan Castellani went five innings with three earned runs.

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Tuesday (vs. Harrisburg, L 2-9)

McMahon followed up his monster Monday by putting up an 0’fer on Tuesday. Center fielder and lead-off man, Max White was the lone Yard Goat to collect multiple hits, finishing the day with three hits, a run scored and a triple. Starting pitcher Jack Wynkoop gave up an eye-popping 13 hits and seven earned over five innings of work.

Wednesday (vs. Harrisburg)

Game action on Wednesday was postponed due to rain. The Yard Goats are hoping to end their six-game skid on the back of rising star pitcher Yency Almonte tonight (Thursday).

Weekend Probables

Thursday, 7:05 PM ET: Yency Almonte (0-0, 2.53 ERA) vs. Harrisburg
Friday, 6:35 PM ET:  Parker French (1-1, 3.48 ERA) @ New Hampshire
Saturday, 5:35 PM ET: Luis Niebla (0-2, 11.57 ERA) @ New Hampshire
Sunday, 1:35 PM ET: Ryan Castellani (1-1, 3.94 ERA) @ New Hampshire

Class A-Advanced Lancaster JetHawks (5-8, Third in California League South)

Monday (vs. Rancho Cucamonga, W 9-5)

Lancaster bats came out hot out of the gate on Monday. The four horseman of Forrest Wall, Sam Hilliard, Garrett Hampson, and Mylz Jones combined for nine hits, seven runs, and seven RBI. Of the four, only Jones is not among the Rockies top 30 prospects.

Right-hander Trey Killian earned the win, working five innings of three-run ball. Killian struck out six on the day.

Colorado Rockies

Tuesday (vs. Rancho Cucamonga, W 11-9)

Thanks to a big second inning, Lancaster got in control of this game early and never looked back. Outfield prospect Sam Hilliard led the offense with three hits, two runs, and two RBI. Outfielders Wes Rodgers and Yonathan Daza had two hits apiece as well. In the end, Lancaster mashed out 12 hits as a unit.

Colin Welmon was the pitcher of record despite giving up 10 hits, and five earned over five frames. The Jethawks bullpen almost blew it late, but Salvador Justo closed the door in the ninth when momentum seemed to have shifted in Rancho Cucamonga’s direction.

Wednesday (vs. Rancho Cucamonga, L 1-2)

On his 20th birthday, number 11 prospect Peter Lambert threw one of the best games of his career on Wednesday. Over six scoreless frames, Lambert allowed only three hits while striking out two. Lancaster’s bullpen blew Lambert’s win in the seventh when Max Schuh coughed up a two-run bomb.

Offensively, the JetHawks could only manage two hits. Prior to a ninth-inning Mylz Jones single, second baseman Wilson Soriano had the only Lancaster hit, a single in the fourth. It should be noted that the Rockies’ number one prospect Brendan Rodgers is currently on the disabled list mending a hand issue.

Weekend Probables

Thursday, 6:35 PM PT: Carlos Polanco (0-1, 5.40 ERA) vs. Rancho Cucamonga
Friday, 7:00 PM PT: Craig Schlitter (1-0, 1.64 ERA) @ Lake Elsinore
Saturday, 6:00 PM PT: Trey Killian (2-0, 3.94 ERA) @ Lake Elsinore
Sunday, 1:00 PM PT: Colin Welmon (2-0, 5.63 ERA) @ Lake Elsinore

Class A Asheville Tourists (5-8, Third in California League South)

Monday (vs. Kannapolis, L 3-5)

Delayed by rain and cold bats, the Tourists could not overcome a rough first frame. Despite settling in after a three-run first inning, Erik Julio was hit with the loss. Julio got his work in however as he lasted seven full innings. Top 30 prospects Colton Welker and Tyler Nevin combined for three hits on the evening.

Tuesday (vs. Kannapolis, L 1-6)

For the third time, this season, starting pitcher Antonio Santos provided Asheville with a quality start, going six innings with two earned. Asheville hitters could not get it going however and provided Santos with almost no run support. Colton Welker is able to stay hot, notching two more hits to his resume.

Wednesday (vs. Kannapolis, L 1-2)

For the fourth consecutive game, Asheville could not get the best of Kannapolis in a low-scoring affair. Top three prospect Riley Pint lasted 4.2 innings, allowing five hits, two runs, and only managing to strike out one hitter. In his first full pro season, Pint is 0-2 with a 3.86 ERA.

Held to only four hits, the Tourist offense was non-existent. The only high note came on a Max George RBI in the fifth. The Tourists’ hottest bat, Colton Welker, was held to no hits in four trips to the plate.

Weekend Probables

Thursday, 7:05 PM ET: Alejandro Requena (0-0, 0.73 ERA) @ Charleston
Friday, 7:05 PM ET: Brandon Gold (0-1, 4.50 ERA) @ Charleston
Saturday, 6:05 PM ET: Erick Julio (1-2, 5.65 ERA) @ Charleston
Sunday, 5:05 PM ET: Antonio Santos (0-2, 2.50 ERA) @ Charleston