Rosario and Helton notes and Prospects Spotlight

The Rockies were bashed by San Francisco late, losing 16-4. No need recapping such a defeat in such a season. However, there are notes worth mentioning.

Rookie catcher Wilin Rosario hit his 18th homer.

Todd Helton still driving to 2,500 hits

Todd Helton doubled and now has 2,418 hits. Getting to 3,000 hits, not going to happen but 2,500 is a possibility if Helton doesn't retire after the season. Helton's current season total of 55 hits is his lowest since his rookie season back in 1997 (26 hits in 35 games). If the Rockies' first baseman can grind out another 30 hits, which is not a given, then even if he is a backup and pinch-hitter, he could reach 2,500 next season, a nice round number to end his career.

If Helton gets to that number he will pass such names as Fred McGriff, Frank Thomas, Jeff Kent, Ozzie Smith, Jim Rice, Dwight Evans and Mark Grace on the all-time hits' list.


Rockies' Prospects Spotlight

Tim Wheeler

Triple-A outfielder Tim Wheeler smacked 33 homers and 67 total extra-base hits last season at Double-A Tulsa. This season, in 63 games, he has two round-trippers and 21 extra-base knocks. Granted, he did hurt his hand and might not be fully healed but this is a drop-off that has to raise questions. Will the power return in 2013 after Wheeler's body heals more?

Wheeler's teammate, Edwar Cabrera, threw four shutout innings on Friday to lower his ERA to 3.41 in six starts at Colorado Springs. He has but two quality starts since being promoted from Double-A. He's working to find answers to the higher level of play.

Outfielder Corey Dickerson is hitting .314 on the season between his time at both High-A and Double-A. He has an impressive 38 doubles but only 16 homers after clubbing .32 a year ago at Low-A Asheville.

Eddie Butler

Grand Junction has star quality in it's first season as an affiliate.Outfielder Jeffrey Popick had three hits and three RBI and raised his average to .358. Outfielder David Dahl had two more hits and his average now registers at .371.

And as impressive as those two hitters have been, a name that is getting equally hot as a prospect is Eddie Butler, who spun six shutout innings, lowering his ERA to 2.31.

He has a 31/4 strikeout-to-base-on-balls rate in 39 innings and has surrendered just one home run. His ERA at home? How about 0.48.