Power-deficient Rockies fall to hapless Phils

Carlos Gonzalez power absent for month

Where has outfielder Carlos Gonzalez's power gone? He hasn't homered since June 15th.  It hasn't affected his average, which has gone up from .322 to .332.

Michael Cuddyer isn't helping much either, homering just twice since June 19th. He has only RBI since that date.

Simply put, this lineup misses shortstop Troy Tulowitzki more than it hopes it would.

Outfielder Tyler Colvin became a media sensation with 6 homers in 9 games but he has none since July 7th and worse, no RBI since that date.

Dexter Fowler is helping his trade value much more than Jeremy Guthrie as the centerfielder collected two more hits to bump his average to an even .300.

Drew Pomeranz is a fine talent but he's still a rookie, and in an early developmental state, as Sunday showed when he allowed 5 runs and 5 hits, along with 2 walks in 5 innings.

The Phillies that the Rockies played this weekend is not the powerhouse it once was so the Rockies' series loss, at Coors, is even more disappointing. The Phillies, with two wins are just 39-51 on the year.

Rockies' Prospects Spotlight

Low-A pitcher Tyler Anderson (no. 1 pick in 2011) gave up just 1 run in 7 2/3 innings, lowering his ERA t 2.64. He should be in High-A ball soon. He has 1.05 ERA over his last 4 starts (25 2/3 innings). 

High-A (OF) Kyle Parker had 3 more hits, giving him 8 in 2 games. His average is now at .305.

Shane Broyles

Shane Broyles, a 14th-round pick out of Texas Tech, the same school the Rockies' picked Chad Bettis out of, is off to a 3-0, 180 ERA at short-season Tri-City.

Broyles has a 3/1 K/BB rate and hasn't surrendered a home run in 25 innings. Batters are hitting .182 against him.

High-A pitcher Tyler Matzek (no. 1 in 2010) might be hurt. He allowed 7 runs in 1 2/3 innings Sunday and has given up 20 earned runs in his last 3 starts, totaling just 10 innings. That's an ERA of 18.00. That's such a deviation from the norm that injury seems to be the logical reason.

Reliever Will Harris was a 9th-round pick in 2006 out of LSU and looked strong during his first 3 seasons in the minors, posting a combined 1.92 ERA.

Will Harris

At Double-A Tulsa this season he struck out 46 in 34 1/3 innings, and had an ERA of 2.62 before being promoted to Triple-A. He could reach the majors and the Rockies late this season.