Eight games into the 2017 Arizona Fall League schedule, the Salt River Rafters have a 3-5 mark and are one game behind the Scottsdale Scorpions in the East standings. Let’s take a quick look at how the seven Colorado Rockies representatives playing for Salt River this season are doing.
Colorado is one of five teams with players on the Rafters, joining the Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Miami Marlins and Milwaukee Brewers. The league continues until November 16 while the AFL championship game is slated for November 18.
Of particular interest is pitcher Yency Almonte, a member of Colorado’s 40-man roster. Listed as Colorado’s 10th-highest rated prospect by MLBPipeline.com, Almonte is working out of the bullpen with the Rafters. That is a change from his starting role he has had throughout his minor league career where he has started 92 of 100 games, including 21 of 22 last season between Double-A Hartford and Triple-A Albuquerque.
So far, Almonte has a 9.00 ERA in three appearances spanning four innings. With a WHIP of 2.25 and seven hits given up, there is plenty of upside in the desert for the 23-year-old right-hander. However, in this interview, Almonte expressed his excitement about working out of the bullpen and working on his craft while in Arizona.
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Also pitching and on Colorado’s 40-man roster, Zach Jemiola is 1-0 in his only start where he allowed two hits and no runs in three innings at Scottsdale. He struck out five in that outing.
Shane Broyles, a 26-year-old right-hander who compiled a 3-1 mark and 1.84 ERA in 47 games for Double-A Hartford last season, has allowed just one hit in three relief appearances spanning three innings. He has struck out two while not giving up a walk.
Colorado’s other pitcher on the Rafters is James Farris, ranked 21st among Rockies prospects according to MLBPipeline.com. In three relief appearances, the 25-year-old right-hander has surrendered nine hits and six earned runs over three innings. Opponents are currently hitting .529 against him.
Looking at Colorado’s position players, first baseman Brian Mundell, ranked 14th among Rockies prospects according to MLBPipeline.com, is hitting .250 with five singles and a double in 20 at-bats. He has also drawn four walks and swiped a base.
Catcher Dom Nunez, ranked 15th among Rockies prospects according to MLBPipeline.com, is 0-for-7 in four games.
Right fielder Yonathan Daza is having the best fall so far at the plate of any Rockies prospect, hitting .353 and putting up an .898 OPS. In 17 at-bats, he has six singles, a double and a triple and has plated a pair of runs.
Next: The 5 most disappointing Rockies of the 2017 season
Note: All stats are prior to Salt River’s game on Thursday, October 19.