Colorado Rockies: April 24 Minor League Report and Prospect Update

Class AAA Albuquerque Isotopes (8-10, Third in PCL-Pacific Southern)

Thursday (vs. Reno, W 8-3)

On the heels of a six-game losing streak, the ‘Topes finally released their frustration out on the diamond. Thanks to five-run first, the Isotopes were able to get back into the win column. The two through six spots in the lineup all collected two hits a piece. Leading the charge was Derrik Gibson, who unloaded a two-run bomb in that big first inning.

Competing for a potential call-up, German Marquez pitched 4.2 innings allowing conceding five hits, two earned. Most notably, Marquez sat down nine Aces via the strikeout.

Friday (vs. Reno, L 1-6)

Any hopes of a winning streak were quickly dashed as Jeff Hoffman struggled on Friday night. In six innings of labor, Hoffman was responsible for four earned runs. A three-run, one-out home run was the biggest blemish for Jeff on the night. Hoffman is now 0-2 on the young season and has an ERA above 5.00.

Leadoff hitter Raimel Tapia drove in the ‘Topes only run on a fielders choice in the third, but added a triple later in the contest.

Saturday (vs. Tacoma, L 3-5)

The second time in less than a week, Ex-Rockie Christian Bergman took Albuquerque’s lunch money. Albuquerque’s Matt Flemer could not match Bergman’s moxy, surrendering five runs in only 4.1 innings and walking an unacceptable five batters.

Once again, Tapia led the team in hitting as he collected two more hits including a double. Fellow outfielder Noel Cuevas wasn’t far behind the pace with two knocks of his own.

Sunday (vs. Tacoma, W 3-2)

In desperate need of a positive outing, pitcher Zach Jemiola delivered. Over seven strong, Jemiola held the opposition to two runs despite allowing eight hits. Limiting the damage is how a majority of major leagues pitchers earn a living. Faded top prospect Rosell Herrera collected two knocks in the victory, he now has six hits in the last four games.

Leaders

BA: Cuevas .365
OBP: Two with .403
HR: Cuevas 3
SB: Cuevas 5
W: Two with 2
SV: Matt Carasiti 5
SO: Marquez 18
ERA: Austin House 0.00 (8.2 IP)

Class A-Advanced Lancaster JetHawks (7-10, Third in California League South)

Thursday (vs. Rancho Cucamonga, W 4-0)

Carlos Polanco led the charge as he cashed in a five-inning performance allowing only one hit. Polanco issued a concerning four free passes however. Including Thursday’s start, Polanco owns a 3.09 ERA on the year. Offensively, Mylz Jones is a force. Jones went 3-for-4 with a triple on Friday and is flirting with a .400 average.

Colorado Rockies

Friday (@ Lake Elsinore, W 4-1)

Righty Craig Schlitter carried the JetHawks over Lake Elsinore on Friday. Over seven strong, Schlitter yielded one run on four hits, but more impressively, Schlitter struck out five and walked none. Schlitter now owns a 2-0 record and 1.50 ERA in three starts.

Sam Hilliard checked in a 3-for-5 day with two runs. Hilliard is proving to be a stud at the plate. Sam has four three-hit games so far this season. Also, center fielder Wes Rodgers had two knocks and stole base. Rodgers leds the California League in stolen bases.

Saturday (@ Lake Elsinore, L 7-8)

Lancaster found themselves in the losing column again over the weekend. Pitcher Trey Killian got shelled for five earned in five innings of work. Killian didn’t earn the loss surprisingly as the JetHawk offensive tried to keep pace.

Right fielder Yonathan Daza went 2-for-4 with two doubles. Shortstop and World Baseball Classic stud Scott Burcham raked out two hits as well.

Sunday (@ Lake Elsinore, L 6-7)

Different day, same result. Despite another strong offensive showing, Lancaster blew the save in another tight one. Six JetHawks had two hits or more. In total, the club mashed out 15 hits. Jones led the strong outing with a 3-for-5 day. Right hander Colin Welmon went 4.1 innings, conceding five hits, three walks and three earned runs. Welmon now owns a 5.75 ERA on the year.

Leaders:

BA: Hilliard .415
OBP: Hilliard .492
HR: Three with 2
SB: Rodgers 11
W: Three with 2
SV: Three with 1
SO: Schlitter 16
ERA: Schlitter 1.50

Class A Asheville Tourists (9-9, Fourth in California League South)

Thursday (@ Charleston, L 3-4)

Asheville would drop their  fifth straight in heartbreaking fashion. Owning a 3-2 led in the bottom of the ninth, Asheville coughed up two runs. Start Alejandro Requena turned in a six innings performance where only one unearned run would cross the plate. Requena has a spotless 0.49 ERA in three starts this season.

Friday (@ Charleston, W 3-1)

Hovering around a .400 average, third baseman Colton Welker provided a double and a run scored for the winning side. Righty Brandon Gold providing seven innings, holding the opposition to just one run while posting a career-high seven strikeouts. Gold is now 1-1 on the year with a 3.18 ERA.

Saturday (@ Charleston, W 3-0)

Proving that pitching is contagious, Erik Julio provided the “good guys” with seven scoreless innings of his own. Julio owns a 2-2 record to go along with a 3.80 ERA on the year. Vince Fernandez provided the most notable offensive output, posting a 1-for-4 line with double and RBI.

Sunday (@ Charleston, W 4-3)

Falling in line with his colleague, Antonio Santos provided stingy pitching for Asheville. Santos would earn the win with a six-inning, one earned run performance. Infielders Tyler Nevin and Taylor Snyder both notched two hits. Snyder provided most of the firepower with both of his knocks going for doubles.

Leaders

BA: Welker .327
OBP: Welker .397
HR: Fernandez 4
SB: Willie Abreu 6
W: Two with 2
SV: Justin Lawrence 2
SO: Two with 17
ERA: J.D. Hammer 0.00 (8.1 IP)

Hitter of the Week: 

Ryan McMahon had the biggest week in the system, both physically and mentally. Coming off a lackluster 2016 and as a top prospect, McMahon needed to perform quickly for the front office to maintain their high held faith in him. In 16 games this year, McMahon owns a .391/.446/.688 line and shows little signs of fading out. McMahon leads the Eastern league in RBI and slugging with 25 hits on the year. McMahon is clearly making strides in his age 22 season.

Pitcher of the Week: 

The most exciting prospect in the Rockies system at current is pitcher Yency Almonte. Standing at 6’3″, the former 17th round draft pick is 1-0 on the year with a 1.53 ERA. Yency’s most impressive start came this week when he struck out 10 hitters. In 17.2 innings pitched, Almonte now has 21 Ks while allowing only 10 hits. If Yency’s star keeps rising, he’ll be one of the best under the radar acquisitions in organization history.

As a note, McMahon was tabbed as Eastern League Player of the Week and Almonte was named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week. The two become the first ever Hartford Yard Goats to sweep the Eastern League’s Weekly Award Honors.

Next: The Rockies' April in 2017 Will Be Different

Transactions:

4/20/17 – Albuquerque Isotopes placed LHP Jerry Vasto on the 7-day disabled list.
4/20/17 – RHP Nelson Gonzalez assigned to Albuquerque Isotopes from Boise Hawks.
4/21/17 – Hartford Yard Goats released RHP Alex Balog.
4/21/17 – Sam Howard assigned to Hartford Yard Goats from Rockies Ext. Spring Training.