Colorado Rockies: June 20 minor league report and prospect update

Mar 4, 2017; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Yency Almonte (62) throws during the fourth inning against the Seattle Mariners during a spring training game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Yency Almonte (62) throws during the fourth inning against the Seattle Mariners during a spring training game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Yency Almonte (62) Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Yency Almonte (62) Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

AA Hartford Yard Goats (30-37, Fifth in Eastern League – Eastern)

Making just his third appearance since suffering a shoulder injury, and first in over two weeks, starting pitcher Yency Almonte threw five innings of one-run ball this past week.  In total, Almonte is 2-3 on the year with a 1.79 ERA. The really good news is that Almonte hit 99 MPH on the radar gun in this start, signaling that his shoulder issues are most likely behind him.

More from Colorado Rockies Prospects

In other good news for our beloved Yard Goats, their home stadium ‘Dunkin’ Donuts Park’ was voted as the best ballpark in all Double-A. All we have to say is, “It better be!”, considering the club was forced to play all of the 2016 seasons on the road while the stadium was in construction. Also according to the article cited above, the Yard Goats have played in front of 15 capacity crowds so far this season. A great feat for any minor league club.

Unfortunately for Hartford, great ballparks don’t translate into wins. The Yard Goats are currently sitting in fifth place in their division and are just 3-7 in their last 10 games. The current lack of wins isn’t surprising, considering their leading man (Ryan McMahon) is now mashing in Triple-A. Right fielder Drew Weeks is now the main offensive attraction as his pedestrian .259 average now leads the squad. Barring a top prospect call-up, it appears Almonte will be the hottest ticket in Hartford for the remainder of 2017.