What did Rockies receive in Scutaro trade

Charlie Culberson needs more development

The Rockies are parting out some pieces of the team and the latest to go is middle infielder Marco Scutaro, who didn't last a season in Colorado. The team shipped him to in-division rival San Francisco for developing second baseman Charlie Culberson.

So what did the Rockies really receive in return and was it insightful dealing by general manager Dan O'Dowd?

Culberson is much younger than Scutaro, being only 23-years old. He's reached the majors already, although he hit but .136 in six games this season. At Triple-A, his numbers are an uninspiring .236 with 76 strikeouts in 91 games. What impresses most probably is his power for a middle infielder - 14 doubles and 10 homers.

His best season was 2010 in High-A ball when he hit .290 with 28 doubles, 16 homers and 71 RBI.

So what is the analysis on Culberson? He is a free swinger with weak plate defense, a little power, but not likely to hit for much average at the MLB level. I'm profiling him right now, from his resume, as a backup and fringe-level MLB player.

Scutaro has hit better as the season as gone along but at .271 he was an offensive disappointment.

This trade, as of today, much ado about nothing.

The big benefactor, sorry, is Scutaro, who gets to go to a winning team.

Rockies' Prospects Spotlight

High-A pitcher Christian Bergman has had his second-straight strong season but Friday's outing was forgettable - six runs allowed in 5 2/3 innings.

Isaiah Froneberger

High-A reliever Isaiah Froneberger continues his breakout season, lowering his ERA to 2.69.

The stat line of the night has to go to Triple-A starter Guillermo Moscoso - 10 strikeouts and, get this, 10 hits allowed, in seven innings. You don't see that combination of stuff and hittability often, do you?