Colorado Rockies: June 26 minor league report and prospect update

AA Hartford Yard Goats (32-41, Fifth in Eastern League – Eastern)

Just 3-7 in their last ten games, Hartford doesn’t have much to look forward to on the field. With the loss of McMahon to promotion, the Hartford offensive has sputtered. Catcher Jan Vazquez’s .278 average is the only one on the club that is north of .260. Not to worry though. Just as they ushered one prospect out, Hartford welcomes a new one in.

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The Rockies’ #1 prospect Brendan Rodgers made his Double-A debut this week. So far, the hot hitting that made Rodgers the pride of the California League has not carried over. In four games, Rodgers is just 2-for-14. Lost in the excitement of Rodgers’ promotion is the fact that #19 prospect Brian Mundell also made his Double-A debut this week. Mundell is 4-for-14 with one double.

Meanwhile, Yency Almonte (#12 Rockies prospect) made his fourth start since recovering from a shoulder issue. Almonte yielded two earned runs in 5.2 innings and struck out four. In nine starts, Almonte owns a sparkling 1.96 ERA in 2017.

Now with the All-Star break approaching, a check on some other top prospects is in order. Dom Nunez, the Rockies’ top catching prospect (#8 overall) is hitting a meager .208 on the year but does possess a .357 OBP despite a low average. Left-hander Sam Howard (Rockies’ #14 prospect) was recently called up to Triple-A after posting a 2.33 ERA in nine starts.

Advanced-A Lancaster JetHawks (38-36, Second in California League – South)

Hitting stride-for-stride with the big club, Lancaster has now been on the wrong end of five straight contests. Losing a .400 hitter in Rodgers didn’t do them any favors. But now with Rodgers gone, prospects like Sam Hilliard (#26 overall) and Garrett Hampson (#15 overall) will benefit from the attention vacuum left in his wake. Hilliard is hitting .311 on the year and sits second in the CAL with 55 RBI. Hampson isn’t trailing far behind with .306 average.

Currently absent from the top prospect radar is outfielder Yonathan Daza. Now in his age 23 season, Daza has lit up the Cal League. On June 23rd, Daza had a six-hit performance and is an impressive 19-for-43 over his last ten games. On the season Daza leads the JetHawks with a .357 average. Daza has 18 doubles but zero home runs in 2017.

On a positive note, despite the current losing streak, Lancaster did secure the South CAL Division for the first half. Number six overall prospect Peter Lambert will attempt to get Lancaster back in the win column as he takes the hill to the hill tonight. Lambert leads the organization with 84 strikeouts.

A Asheville Tourists (41-31, Second in South Atlantic League – Southern)

Call to the Pen

Despite being 10 games below .500, Asheville is somehow tied for second in the SAL Southern Division. Profiled by third baseman Colton Welker (Rockies’ #11 overall prospect), the Tourists are 4-6 over their last ten games.

Welker has been an offensive force in the first-half (.365 AVG, 5 HR). Welker’s .365 AVG is nearly 40 points higher than the guy currently occupying second in the SAL.

Alejandro Requena (NR) has been the brightest spot on Asheville’s pitching staff, spinning a masterful 2.70 ERA on the year. Requena will hope to demonstrate some consistency as he takes to the hill this evening.

Also having notable a first half is first baseman Vince Fernandez (NR), and shortstop Jose Gomez (#25 prospect). In the case of Gomez, he leads all SAL shortstops with a .315 average and 13 stolen bases. In that same vain, Fernandez leads all SAL outfielders with a .324 AVG and leads the team with 11 dingers on the year.

Next: Rox Learn From Bill Belichick

Finally, a report on Asheville wouldn’t be complete without a checkup on top pitching prospect Riley Pint. Pint, who is nearly three years younger than the competition, appears to be on track. Pint tossed four innings while surrendering two earned runs and striking out five hitters in his most recent start.