Rockies Mid-Year Prospect Ramblings

dyan jorge rockies1 — Dyan Jorge. Photo credit Freek Bouw (Phrake Photography), @phrakephotography on Instagram, and @phrakephoto on Twitter

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2023 led off with the Rockies organization needing an infusion of healthy, dependable pitching. While the overall pitching depth remains murky, there have been positive strides made by position players. One player who continues to thrive is Yanquiel Fernandez. The 20-year old slugger now moves on to the stiff test of Double-A. In regards to winning, the Single-A Fresno Grizzlies sported the system’s best record at 36-30 in the first half and couldn’t be hotter to start the second half at 8-1. High-A Spokane finished the first half one game over .500 but has started the second half 4-5. With the MLB Draft right around the corner (July 9-11), pitching once again will most certainly be a top priority.

Tickets to The Show

After a slow start to season, #1 prospect Ezequiel Tovar is trending upward. Over the past 14 games, the young and multi-talented shortstop has slashed to a sizzling .361/.410/.611., good for an OPS of 1.021.

Corner Infielder/outfielder #13 prospect Nolan Jones started the year raking in Albuquerque (.356/.481/.711), and continues to succeed at the plate facing big league pitching. The left-handed hitting Jones enjoys Coors Field in particular–after 9 games in Denver, Jones had belted 3 home runs, stolen 4 bases, while slugging to a noteworthy 1.138 OPS. Similar to Jones, #37 Coco Montes started strong and kept on hitting. The smooth fielding Montes slugged 14 homer runs, and carried an on base percentage over .400 before his promotion to Colorado. Outfielder Brenton Doyle (#14) also landed a promotion after a strong start for the Isotopes. The right-handed Doyle has enjoyed flashes of success versus major league pitching (6 home runs, 22 RBI) however his current OPS of .627 will need to improve to secure a hold on a roster position. Next up: Former 2nd round draft pick Aaron Schunk (#22) may soon earn a call up to the big club?! The Isotopes third baseman owns 12 HR and 47 RBI to go along with an OPS of .957.

Heart of the Matter

In June, the Spokane Indians featured a torrid hitting lineup that included #3 Adael Amador, #8 Fernandez, #16 Jordan Beck, #10 Sterlin Thompson and Zach Kokoska. This is the core to keep an eye on! All five owned an OPS over .900; Fernandez and Beck featured 17 and 16 home runs respectively, Kokoska has chipped in with 13, and Amador and Thompson–both reaching base beyond .400 clips–simply keep hitting and matriculating their way on base. Quaint Avista Park in Spokane is definitely hitter friendly, thus can this group keep on keeping on as they move up the ladder? Fernandez was recently promoted to Double-A Hartford, and will be representing the Rockies in this year’s All-Star Futures Game in Seattle.

Yanquiel Fernandez sends this one out in a hurry!

The No. 3 @Rockies prospect rips his 4th dinger in 8 games since joining the @GoYardGoats: pic.twitter.com/8NIIZ8CSxe

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 1, 2023

Other Notable Bats

#12 Hunter Goodman keeps chugging along in Hartford. The catcher/outfielder may find himself as a “Super Utility” player in the majors. The right-handed Goodman is second in the Eastern League with 18 HR and the leader with 63 RBI.

#Rockies No. 13 prospect Hunter Goodman has hit safely in nine consecutive games with four doubles and six RBIs over that span.@ANG_Recruiting #ServeYourWay pic.twitter.com/YePiSoqVAI

— Hartford Yard Goats (@GoYardGoats) July 4, 2023

Catcher Braxton Fulford (#46) earned a promotion from Spokane to Hartford after a quick start; the former 6th round pick has struggled thus far vs. AA pitching. Steady Fresno middle infielder #40 Ryan Ritter carries some pop in his bat, to go along with his dependable skills up the middle. The 2023 4th-round pick has clubbed 18 HR and has demonstrated a keen eye at the plate. Ritter owns a very healthy .305/.405/.606 slash.

The Rockies International signings of 2022 featured talented shortstop Dyan Jorge. However, this past week it was another member of the ‘22 class, Kelvin Hidalgo, who was lighting things up in the Dominican Summer League. In 4 games the week of June 13, the 18-year old scored 14 runs, collected 10 hits and walked 7 times.

Pitching-Electricity Required

The top pitching names in the Rockies organization have scuffled for the most part in 2023. Last year’s first round pick Gabriel Hughes has been promoted from Spokane to Hartford. On June 18, Hughes pitched 5 scoreless innings before allowing 3 solo homers in the 6th inning, then on June 24 went 7 innings, giving up 3 runs on 7 Ks. On the positive side, Hughes has struck out 77 in 61 ⅔ innings; his ERA however for the year sits at 6.57. #31 prospect Gavin Hollowell was recently recalled by the Rockies. In 11 ⅔ innings facing Triple-A batters, the tall righty (6-7) struck out 14 while pitching to 1.54 ERA. Reliever Dugan Darnell, 4-1 has pitched well for Hartford out of the bullpen. The right-hander has converted 5 of 5 save opportunities, owns a 1.80 ERA, and has fanned 37 hitters in 25 innings. Our #34 prospect, Noah Davis has seen action for Colorado but is currently on the IL. Davis tossed 5 shutout innings back in April vs. Seattle. In a small sample size thus far, Davis has not fared well vs. left-handed major league hitters. Lefties are hitting .462 vs. Davis, righties a mere.241!)

2022 13th round pick Blake Adams was promoted from Fresno to Spokane. In 10 starts with Fresno, Adams struck out 53 batters in 45 innings, pitching to a stout 2.60 ERA. Fresno teammate left-hander Felix Ramires owns a tidy ERA of 0.58 in 31 innings of work. Zach Agnos has converted 12 of 14 save opportunities. In 23 ⅓ IP, the 10th round pick out of East Carolina has struck out 27 while walking only 7.

Brian Fonseca

Brian is in his second year covering the Colorado Rockies. A lifelong sports enthusiast, Brian grew up in Northern California a fan of the great Oakland A’s teams of the early 1970’s. From 1998-2014 Brian coached the Men’s Basketball team at Reedley (Community) College, a short drive away from the home of the Rockies Single-A club, the Fresno Grizzlies. Recently Brian was named Athletic Director at Parlier High School (#100percentParlierPanthers!). Brian and his wife LeAnn were married in 2001, and have two children; son Noah and daughter Eleanor who attends San Diego State. Follow Brian on Twitter @100percent3G.