Colorado Rockies: June 20 minor league report and prospect update

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

• Colorado Rockies: Has Sean Bouchard earned a second look in 2023?
• Colorado Rockies: Ezequiel Tovar to make his debut today
• Colorado Rockies: Potential players for September call-ups
• Colorado Rockies call up no. 14 prospect Michael Toglia
• MLB Pipeline: The Colorado Rockies’ farm system has strengthened … a lot

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.