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Colorado Rockies: 3 players who have stood out this spring

By Kevin Henry

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 27: Mike Tauchman #3 of the Colorado Rockies follows through on a solo home run during the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim during a Spring Training game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 27, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 27: Mike Tauchman #3 of the Colorado Rockies follows through on a solo home run during the second inning against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim during a Spring Training game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 27, 2018 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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SCOTTSDALE, AZ – MARCH 14: Fans follow the action on the baseball diamond between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorodo Rockis during the spring training baseball game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 14, 2011 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
SCOTTSDALE, AZ – MARCH 14: Fans follow the action on the baseball diamond between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorodo Rockis during the spring training baseball game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 14, 2011 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

Yency Almonte’s statement on the mound

Yency Almonte has always been considered to have a bright future with the Colorado Rockies. Listed as one of Colorado’s top prospects on the mound, the 23-year-old right-hander is showing early on in spring training that his time with the Rockies could be sooner than many think.

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On Wednesday, Almonte tossed three scoreless innings to earn the victory, retiring all nine hitters he faced, two of whom went down by strikeout. In five spring innings, Almonte has struck out four while giving up just two hits and one earned run.

"“He threw the ball great,” manager Bud Black told MLB.com of Almonte after Wednesday’s performance. “Good velocity with location. Good hard slider. Had some funny swings against big leaguers, which was nice to see.”"

Almonte may start the season at Triple-A but Black tipped his hat to the young pitcher on Wednesday and said he was getting close to being in elite company within the organization.

"“He’s inching closer to that group of seven or eight guys,” Black said. “It can happen fast when you’re in Triple-A.”"

Translation: If Almonte keeps pitching the way he is in spring training, Colorado may hesitate to have him make his Major League debut this season when they need another arm.

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