Colorado Rockies minor leagues: Early September recap of all levels

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 29: A detail view of a Colorado Rockies cap during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on April 29, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - APRIL 29: A detail view of a Colorado Rockies cap during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on April 29, 2019 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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SCOTTSDALE, AZ – MARCH 11: Jameson Hannah #67 of the Colorado Rockies in action during the game against the Chicago Cubs at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 11, 2021 in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Cubs defeated the Rockies 8-6. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
SCOTTSDALE, AZ – MARCH 11: Jameson Hannah #67 of the Colorado Rockies in action during the game against the Chicago Cubs at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 11, 2021 in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Cubs defeated the Rockies 8-6. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

The latest from the Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, the Hartford Yard Goats

The Yard Goats saw a polarizing stretch of games with their bats struggling and their arms shoving.

Hitters:
Jameson Hannah: 38 PAs, .147/.211/.176, 8 wRC+, 3 BB, 13 K ❄️
Coco Montes: 48 PAs, .222/.271/.311, 58 wRC+, 1 3B, 3 BB, 17 K
Michael Toglia: 46 PAs, .179/.304/.436, 101 wRC+, 1 2B, 3 HR, 6 BB, 15 K
Willie MacIver: 33 PAs, .182/.182/.182, -6 wRC+, 0 BB, 8 K ❄️

Notable Yard Goat hitters found themselves slumping with the exception of Michael Toglia, who swatted a trio of bombs and drew six walks, turning in a productive couple of weeks despite a sub-.200 average.

Pitchers:
Karl Kauffmann: 11.1 IP, 2.38 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 4.75 FIP, 4 BB, 7 K
Yoan Aybar: 6.1 IP, 2.84 ERA, 7.14 FIP, 6 BB, 4 K
Zach Matson: 7.0 IP, 1.29 ERA, 1.51 FIP, 1 BB, 10 K
PJ Poulin: 4.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.76 FIP, 1 BB, 7 K

2019 second-rounder Karl Kauffmann headlines the Yard Goats pitching staff, turning in a pair of positive starts. He’s scuffled this season but a strong finish could put him back on the fast track to MLB.

A trio of bullpen arms shined, especially Zach Matson, who was absolutely dominant, once again. The winter MiLB signing might just work himself into a big-league opportunity in the future.

Yoan Aybar and PJ Poulin appear to be gunning to 2021’s finish line with Poulin looking as untouchable as he did with Spokane before getting promoted. Aybar struggled with command, his main knock, but limited damage otherwise.

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