Chacin not yet ready for Rockies and Prospects

Jhoulys Chacin

Jhoulys Chacin allowed three runs in 6 /23 innings at Triple-A Colorado Springs, striking out five and walking two. He also served up a home run. The Rockies want him back with them before the end of the season. Is he ready, will he be ready?

In four starts but just 18 innings at High-A, Double-A and Triple-A, Chacin sports an ERA of 7.00.

The 24-yea-old righthander could and should keep getting stronger and his results should speak to that so look for him to reach the Rockies. Just don't expect the Best of Chacin quite yet.

Tyler Gagnon

In 2011, starters Christian Bergman and Tyler Gagnon were strong starters at short-season Tri-City. Bergman moved on to High-A this season and has again produced at a high level. Gagnon was injured and just recently started pitching again, first out the bullpen and then as a starter, again at Tri-City. He has since been promoted to Low-A Asheville, where he debuted with an inning of scoreless relief.

Gagnon doesn't yet look sharp and strong as he was in 2011 (2.57 ERA in 14 starts). With health and shaking off rust, he could be much more formidable in 2013. Follow him.

Grand Junction outfielder David Dahl finished with four hits in a doubleheader and now has a ridiculously-good .381 average in a ridiculously-strong season.

Dahl has teammates playing well too as catcher Wilfredo Rodriguez doubled and homered, had four hits. He is now hitting .330, although with limited power. Outfielder Jeffrey Popick homered, finished with two hits in game 1, added another hit in game 2 and is hitting .349

Alving Mejias

Alving Mejias was once a star in the Dominican Summer League. In 2009, as a starter, he produced a 1.24 ERA. Since then, he has fallen on hard times, with 6.81 and 7.49 ERAs in 2010-2011. As a starter this season, he was again struggling, with a 6.48 ERA. However he has been moved to the bullpen and his production is much improved. In his last three outings, spanning 10 2/3 innings, has has still given up eight hits but has a 13/0 K/BB rate and a 1.69 ERA. There's hope for him again.

Will all three of these players hit at such high levels as they move on or are they products of their home park and a rookie league? Time will tell. For now, they are excelling and impressive.

Chris Dennis

Tri-City reliever Chris Dennis is having a strong season. The 6-foot-180-pound righthander has held batters to a .194 average against and has a 2.61 ERA in 31 innings. He has allowed but 21 hits while striking out 29. He only has to cut down on his walks (11) to stand out more.

Matt Flemer is another Dust Devil relief pitcher doing well, just on a smaller sample size. Flemer's ERA is 1.65 in 16 1/3 innings.