Rutledge productivity and Rockies' notes

Rookie Josh Rutledge continues to play better in the majors than he did at Double-A Tulsa this season, and he was pretty good there.

Rutledge beat up the Dodgers with four hits and three RBI last night and now has, ready for this - 17 extra-base hits and 18 RBI in 22 games. How's that for productive? For a shortstop?

Rockies' Notes

Anyone notice how the Rockies' insisted on keeping Dexter Fowler, convinced he is a building block and yet he has gone cold again? His average now down to .288. He also has but one extra-base hit and no RBI in his last 10 games.

Anyone also notice that Tyler Colvin hasn't homered since July 6th and has but three RBI since then?

Alex White, against the Dodgers, only one hit allowed in four innings but five walks. Might have been oddly effective last night but over time that will get his team beat more times than not. That lack of control is a black mark that has to be corrected.

Someone asked Troy Renck of the Denver Post if the Rockies could find, were looking for, could expect a Stephen Strasburg-type talent at no. 1 or no. 2 (more likely) in the 2013 MLB Amateur Draft. Renck responded that Stanford pitcher Mark Appel will enter next season as the top-rated player and he's right. He also mentioned Colorado's results by drafting Stanford pitchers - Jason Young and Greg Reynolds - both expensive busts - and that the organization might look to go another direction. While the Rockies wouldn't rule out Appel if he were available, I agree with Renck in that the Rockies should be wary of going the Stanford route again. That school's pitchers seem to peak early and show little room for growth.

We also saw Jeremy Guthrie here, another Stanford pitcher. For some reason, Cardinal pitchers just struggle in the majors, with the only exception I can think of immediately being Mike Mussina.

Rockies Prospects Spotlight

Jayson Aquino went six innings, allowing just one run at Grand Junction. The 19-year old has dominated in the Dominican Summer League but ball in the states is much more competitive. Will Aquino be up to the task. He's smallish but has big game. He bears watching. Through two starts, batters are hitting his .179 against him and he has 12 K's in 11 2/3 innings.