Colorado Rockies call up no. 14 prospect Michael Toglia

The Colorado Rockies made a few roster moves before the start of their series with the Atlanta Braves. They have called up no. 14 prospect first baseman Michael Toglia and recalled outfielder Sean Bouchard from Triple-A Albuquerque. In corresponding moves, the club has optioned outfielders Sam Hilliard and Wynton Bernard to Triple-A.

Rockies call up Michael Toglia, Sean Bouchard; option Wynton Bernard and Sam Hilliard

The Rockies have quickly elevated first base prospect Michael Toglia through the minor leagues this season.

Toglia, 24, was drafted by the Rockies out of high school in the 35th round of the 2016 draft. He did not sign and went to college at UCLA. The Rockies drafted him again in the first round of the 2019 draft and he has been elevated quickly since 2021.

With no minor league season in 2020, Toglia only had 41 games at Short-Season-A entering last season. He started the season at High-A Spokane but after just 74 games there, he was promoted to Double-A Hartford. He finished off the season there and started the season there this year. He was promoted to Albuquerque for 17 games before getting this promotion to the majors.

For Double-A Hartford, Toglia was hitting .234/.329/.466 with 23 home runs and 66 RBI in 97 games. In 17 games in Triple-A Albuquerque, he was hitting .333/.413/.758 with seven home runs and 17 RBI.

Bouchard, 26, was called up in June and played in three games for the Rockies before he hit the injured list. The club then sent him back down to Albuquerque. Overall in Albuquerque this season, the ninth-round draft pick in 2017 was hitting .300/.404/.635 with 20 home runs and 56 RBI in 69 games.

Both Toglia and Bouchard will be in the starting lineup on Tuesday as they are slated to hit seventh and eighth.

It is a bit surprising to see Bernard and Hilliard be optioned, though. Bernard has played in 12 games and he has hit .286/.286/.310 with three RBI and three stolen bases. He, of course, was making his MLB debut as well at the age of 31.

Hilliard has struggled offensively but defensively, he has been their best outfielder. Since he has been back up from Triple-A, he has been better at the plate but the average and power leaves a bit to be desired. In 29 games since his return (19 starts), he has hit .226/.351/.258 with two doubles and two RBI.

We will have more on this story as it develops on Rox Pile as Rox Pile’s Kevin Henry is in Atlanta for the duration of the series.

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