Down on the farm: Colorado Rockies prospect recap at August’s end

Dropping down a level to one of MiLB’s most exciting teams, the Fresno Grizzlies had a commendable couple weeks headlined by a newcomer and some solid bullpen performances.

Low-A

Hitters:

Zac Veen: 48 PAs, .359/.458/.538, 157 wRC+, 2 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 8 BB, 16 K 🔥
Drew Romo: 48 PAs, .261/.271./.413, 72 wRC+, 4 2B, 1 HR, 1 BB, 10 K
Eddy Diaz: 50 PAs, .362/.388/.532, 138 wRC+, 4 2B, 2 3B, 2 BB, 7 K, 7 SB
AJ Lewis: 25 PAs, .300/.440/.350, 128 wRC+, 1 2B, 2 BB, 4 K
Bladimir Restituyo: 35 PAs, .324/.343/.353, 87 wRC+, 1 2B, 1 BB, 5 K
Julio Carreras: 50 PAs, .292/.320/.375, 84 wRC+, 4 2B, 2 BB, 13 K
Mateo Gil: 27 PAs, .240/.259/.640, 109 wRC+, 1 2B, 3 HR, 1 BB, 9 K
Robby Martin Jr.: 24 PAs, .333/.417/.762, 187 wRC+, 3 HR, 3 BB, 6 K 🔥

Zac Veen just keeps doing Zac Veen things. The prodigious 19-year-old has not taken his foot off the gas since hitting his stride early this summer. His plate discipline and power are ultra-impressive for someone so young and show he’s worthy of a promotion to Spokane.

Drew Romo is coming off a lukewarm stretch. Most of his value comes from behind the plate, but even when he’s off with the bat, he still manages to produce. His speed was on display Saturday night when he legged out an inside-the-park home run.

The speedy Eddy Diaz has officially arrived in 2021. The 20-year-old Cuban looked outmatched early in the season but he’s since turned into a hitting machine, allowing his legs to make an impact with 7 steals in his last 11 games.

Catcher AJ Lewis has caught on since being demoted from High-A. His quality plate discipline has been evident since joining the Grizzlies.

The Dominican-born pair Bladimir Restituyo and Julio Carreras along with Mateo Gil haven’t had the seasons they had hoped for but all three have been on an upward trajectory as of late.

The first 2021 draftee to make it to full-season ball, Robby Martin Jr. has quickly made his presence felt, as he crushed a 3-run homer on Sunday.

Pitchers:

Tony Locey: 15.0 IP, 3.60 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 3.72 FIP, 8 BB, 19 K
Anderson Pilar: 13.2 IP, 0.66 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 3.16 FIP, 4 BB, 15 K
Case Williams: 4.0 IP, 4.50 ERA, 6.26 FIP, 4 BB, 2 K
Juan Mejia: 5.1 IP, 3.38 ERA, 2.19 FIP, 3 BB, 10 K
Tanner Propst: 5.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 1.26 FIP, 0 BB, 9 K 🔥
Gavin Hollowell: 4.0 IP, 2.25 ERA, 1.01 FIP, 0 BB, 8 K
Blake Goldsberry: 5.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 2.06 FIP, 1 BB, 7 K

Tony Locey has thrived since being converted to a starter a few weeks ago. His control still hasn’t been sharp but he overpowers hitters and doesn’t give up a lot of damage. Anderson Pilar, another pitcher recently converted to the rotation, has been even more impressive.

A hot-name for Rockies fans at the 2021 trade deadline, Case Willams has continued his slow acclimation to pro-ball. The young righty hasn’t yet established his pitching identity.

Then, we have relievers galore. Juan Mejia, Tanner Propst, Gavin Hollowell, and Blake Goldsberry have all been fantastic, keeping Fresno’s injury-depleted pitching staff afloat. Hollowell is making his case as the organization’s top relief prospect.