Colorado Rockies: June 20 minor league report and prospect update

Advanced-A Lancaster JetHawks (38-32, First in California League – South)

Much like Ryan McMahon above him, Rockies’ top prospect Brendan Rodgers is demanding the front office’s attention. Since beginning the season on the DL, Rodgers has carried his club into first place on the back of a .400 average (84-for-210) to go along with 21 doubles and 12 home runs. You can see the swing that has pushed him to that torrid pace by clicking here.

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The next test for Rodgers will be to see Double-A pitching, a promotion that could come at any moment. It’s in Double-A after all that prospects are separated from future big leaguers. Our best guess is that Rodgers gets 500 at-bats at Lancaster, and barring a huge slump, he’ll move up to Double-A before the end of the year.

Starting pitcher Jesus Tinoco, Peter Lambert, and Craig Schlitter highlight a slew of impressive starting pitchers that Lancaster has benefitted from this season. In the case of Schlitter, he leads the California League in Wins with nine, and is third with a 2.40 ERA. Lambert, a second-round draft pick a few years back, leads the club with 84 strikeouts with a 4.23 ERA. Lastly, Tinoco, who was a piece in the Tulo trade, is 5-1 with a 4.61 ERA. Keep in mind that the California League is a hitters paradise.

In a final note, the Cal League All-Star game is tonight, highlighted by Brendan Rodgers of course. Also making the All-Star game for Lancaster is outfielders Sam Hilliard, and Wes Rogers, as well as first baseman Brian Mundell and shortstop Garrett Hampson.