Friedrich, Bergman and Jensen status rising

The Rockies front office has to feel good about its' pitching prospects as it continues to develop quality ones, from Juan Nicasio and Rex Brothers in 2011 to the players on display Sunday.

Left-hander Christian Friedrich went five innings for Triple-A Colorado Springs, giving up two runs in five innings, a serviceable start but not much more. Friedrich has now made four starts on the season.

The good? There's many. A 2.59 ERA, 21 strikeouts in 24 1/3 innings, only one home run, four walks and 16 hits allowed. Definitely a lot of positives. Friedrich has been a very pleasant surprise. He looks like a completely new man after two down seasons at Double-A Tulsa.

So any concerns? Yes. Friedrich has had two outstanding starts of one combined earned run allowed in 14 1/3 innings and two average ones (combined 5.40 ERA).

Focusing on his progress, Friedrich bears closer attention. I had come to the conclusion after last season he was going to be a reliever and spot starter but maybe there was more life and development in Friedrich.

Christian Bergman excelling again in 2012

High-A Modesto right-hander Christian Bergman, a 24th-round pick in the 2010 draft, went 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs and now has a 2.53 ERA in five starts. Four of those starts have been quality. Bergman rose to Colorado Rockies' Prospects Report prominence last season and he is amongst the top-3 healthy pitching prospects in the organization.

Batters are hitting but .207 against him, he hasn't allowed a home run in 32 innings and although he will turn 24 in early May, he's looking like he is in line for a Double-A call-up later this season.

Asheville right-handed starter Chris Jensen, a Rockies top-10 pitching prospect entering the season, threw six innings of one-run ball. His ERA is now 3.76 and like Friedrich, he flashes impressive starts around rough outings. Consistency is called for but the talent is there.

These three pitchers, in addition to Alex White at Triple-A and Double-A star Edwar Cabrera give the Rockies talent, depth and hope for internal solutions to their pitching needs.

Prospect Flashback for Jhoulys Chacin

Jhoulys Chacin Prospect Flashback

Jhoulys Chacin is still but 24-years old and full of talent and potential. A year ago, it seemed Chacin was on the verge of becoming an ace but a mildly disappointing season of inconsistency, lack of control and significant drop in strikeout rate has people wondering who Chacin is and will become. So who was Chacin as a prospect? Did his work coming up through the system tell us who he was or was it misleading? In today's Prospect Flashback, I take a look.

Chacin has a 20-28 major-league record through April 28, 2012 but a 3.65 ERA to go with it, stellar for a Rockies' pitcher. While he's been difficult to hit he has been overly generous to batters in one way, walking 4.22 per nine innings, which has significantly impeded his progress. 

As a 19-year old at Casper (rookie league), Chacin showed promise right out of the gate, posting a 3.13 ERA and posting a 3/1 strikeout (K) to base-on-balls (BB) rate. He wasn't a star prospect but he deserved closed attention. 

What could not have been predicted from that start was what Chacin would do at age 20 at Low-A Asheville and High-A Modesto. For the Tourists, he dominated, going 10-1, with a 1.86 ERA, allowing just 82 hits and 3 homers in 111 innings. He walked only 30 batters while striking out 98. Simply put, he was brilliant and gave the appearance of being a prospect that could develop into a no. 1 or 2 starter. 

For the Nuts during the same season, he 8-2 with a 2.31 ERA and a 5/1 K/BB rate, showing outstanding control again. He did become much more hittable though, a concern, giving up 61 hits in 66 frames. 

Still, Chacin was moving fast, meeting challenges and seeing his stock skyrocket. 

At the age of 21, he was already at Double-A. For Tulsa, he looked impressive but no longer dominant, as his ERA was 3.14. He did limit batters to 87 hits in 103 1/3 innings but his K/BB rate was just over 2/1, a big change. Chacin was young for his league so he looked like a strong prospect but maybe no longer a possibility to be a no. 1 starter. 

Later that season, he threw 14 innings in Triple-A, finishing with a 3.77 ERA. What was disturbing was that while Chacin struck out 11, he walked 13. 

His overall ERA in the minors was 2.57 in 545 2/3 innings. He moved fast, he either held his own or excelled and seemed to be a solid prospect. He didn't have Drew Pomeranz-type expectations but the hopes were high. 

Chacin has been outstanding at times and enough of the time that the Rockies, media and fans have thought he could become an outstanding starter. However, he has also struggled with control (1.47 more walks per nine innings in the majors than his prospect totals) and consistency and maybe, that's just who he is. Maybe there will be no more improvement or if so, it will be minimal or moderate. 

The Rockies, from appearances, have seemed to be puzzled, if not frustrated with Chacin's inability to control his fastball, be more consistent and elevate his game. 

The book here says Chacin will never become a true no. 1 starter and while no. 2 status is still possible, he might best and most comfortably fit as a quality no. 3. His stuff is better than Juan Nicasio but Nicasio might become the better player in time. Pomeranz's stuff is not as good but he too could surpass Chacin. 

His minor-league markers showed Chacin had talent and he did reach the majors at a young age. The expectations could have easily been for him to be either a no. 2 or 3 starter, with the latter more likely, and which is more probable of what he will end up being for the majority of his career.

Rockies Pitching Prospects Progress Report

The Rockies are really missing having Chad Bettis (injured) in the minors continuing his development as a prospect but the franchise does have three starters looking strong, maintaining their status while some relievers are working hard to improve their talented games.

Today I take a look at the organization's latest pitching prospects progress report. Players in blue-color bold are named in the Colorado Rockies' Prospects Report Top-10 starters or top relievers entering the 2012 season.

AAA Colorado Springs

Alex White was awful in a late-season call-up for the Rockies in 2011 but he should be still thought of as a solid prospect as he won for the Cleveland Indians in his rookie season last year and looked very good at Double-A Tulsa in the Rockies chain.

In 2012, White has recorded a 2.70 ERA in four starts and 20 innings, with a 17/5 K/BB rate and no home runs allowed. The only concern is he has 18 hits against in those 20 innings, not quite dominant numbers.

Carlos Torres has a 2.29 ERA in 19 innings but be wary. He's been a solid minor-league player (3.47 ERA) but in 42 MLB innings, his ERA is 6.86.

AA Tulsa

Edwar Cabrera keeps impressing and now has a 2.08 ERA in 26 innings with a 7/1 K/BB rate and only 14 hits given up in 26 innings. He, not Christian Friedrich or Tyler Matzek, is and was last season the best (full season) left-handed starting pitching prospect in the system.

Reliever Michael Marbry has a 0.69 ERA in 13 innings with only four hits allowed.

Reliever Coty Woods has thrown nine shutout innings in relief to start the season but has also allowed nine hits so you have to wonder if he can continue his stingy ways.

Relief pitcher Joey Williamson has the same concerns. While his ERA is 0.96, he has given up 10 hits, whole walking four, in 9 and 1/3 innings.

High-A Modesto

Christian Bergman recorded a 2.59 ERA in 2011 at Tri-City and is pitching well again, with a 2.49 ERA after 25 1/3 innings. He has yet to give up a home run and has only been nicked for 17 hits.

Tyler Matzek is the great talent who can't put it together. His 3.28 ERA is respectable and his nearly 12 strikeouts per nine innings shows quality stuff but his nearly six walks per nine frames is his (unacceptable and limiting) career pattern.

Low-A Asheville

Reliever Kenny Roberts is sporting a 2.45 ERA in 11 innings with no walks and no home runs allowed.

Rockies Hitting Prospects Progress Report

The Rockies don't have any one hitting prospect demanding attention now but they do have players producing and developing. Today I look at those who have played well through April 24th.

I've highlighted any Colorado Rockies' Prospects Report top-10 hitting prospect entering 2012 in blue.

AAA Colorado Springs 

First baseman Matt McBride, part of the Ubaldo Jimenez trade, is hitting a robust .389 and has 19 RBI in 20 games. What he isn't showing is home-run power, with but two on the season. The 26-year old has to incorporate that power into his other skills.

Second baseman D.J. LeMahieu, a trade piece in the Ian Stewart deal, is hitting .333 but he too has little home-run power, having but one on the season. LeMahieu was known as the hitter for average in the Cubs' chain. In 2011 at Double-A, he raked to the tune of .358 in 50 games. 

Charlie Blackmon has not done much yet, hitting at .238 in 11 games.

AA Tulsa

Third baseman Nolan Arenado is hitting .343 but slumping of late. He has eight doubles but only one home run. His plate defense is stellar as usual with 11 walks and eight strikeouts.

Shortstop Josh Rutledge is coming on and his average is now up to .289 with six doubles, three homers and nine RBI. He is struggling with strikeouts again, having 14. He has walked but five times.

Outfielder Kent Matthes is lost, hitting .207. He is a much better prospect than he's showing.

High-A Asheville

Outfielder Corey Dickerson looks improved over last season, when he excelled in many areas for Low-A Asheville. Dickerson is hitting .351 with 10 doubles, a triple, two homers and 13 RBI. He has only walked four times but he's only struck out nine times. The home runs will come as Dickerson has shown in the past he can hit for power.

Low-A Asheville

First baseman Harold Riggins is showing promise, hitting .351. He has seven doubles and three homers and has driven in 16 runs. A red flag is 19 strikeouts and only seven walks.

Catcher Will Swanner continues to be interesting. He is hitting for high average  - .333 - but I just get the feeling he's not going to be that sort of hitter. He has only two walks and has struck out 11 times.

Third baseman Sam Mende is also struggling with plate defense, with 16 strikeouts and only three walks, negating his potential and power, both of which are big. Mende though, is still hitting .302.

Shortstop Trevor Story, less than a year removed from high school has his average at .309 and looks even more exciting when you see he has almost as many walks (7) as he does K's (11).

Rockies 2012 pitching prospects for Double-A Tulsa

The Rockies' are developing players at a productive-enough rate that their affiliates are restocking each season as talent graduates to the next level. In 2011, for example, Juan Nicasio moved from Double-A Tulsa to the Rockies and in 2012 Edwar Cabrera replaces him as a serious MLB prospect. 

Today I look at the Rockies' better and best pitching prospects starting the season at Tulsa. I see 6 talented players, one who projects as a Major League Baseball starter and 5 more who could become big-league relievers.

Pitchers

Edwar Cabrera (24), LHP

Rockies' prospect Edwar Cabrera (courtesy of Tulsa Drillers)

The slight (6-foot, 170 pounds) Dominican struck out 217 (leading the minors) while walking just 41 in A-ball last season but gave up 157 hits in 167 innings, also allowing 18 homers. His punchouts would infer Cabrera has a big fastball. He doesn't. It's high 80s to low 90s. It's his ability to throw strikes and trump batters with his plus-changeup that makes him so good.

Cabrera has to miss more bats still, as evidenced by the number of hits he allows and that might include learning how to get batters to chase "waste" pitches out of the zone. Cabrera is also prone to giving up the "big fly."

He will certainly be challenged in Triple-A if he passes his test at Double-A and then in the majors but I see him reaching Coors as a starter, with the ceiling of a no. 4 and likely sticking in the majors as no worse than a no. 5. Cabrera pitches smart so it's easy to see him making adjustments to survive and last.


Joe Gardner (24), RHP

Joe Gardner (photo courtesy of Tulsa Drillers)

Part of the Ubaldo Jimenez trade last summer, Gardner posted a 2.48 ERA in 36 and 1/3 innings, allowing just one home run, recording a 4.86/1 G/F rate, while walking only 8 batters. 

Some scouts and prospects-reporting media see him as a back-end-of-the-rotation starter. I much prefer him as a middle-and-long reliever, with an ability to produce more ground balls than fly balls.

With a strong start in 2012, it would not surprise me to see Gardner called up by the Rockies in the later parts of the season. At worst, if healthy, I forecast a 2013 call-up. 

Coty Woods (24), RHP


Coty Shea Leonard Woods took a big step forward last summer as a prospect while pitching for High-A Modesto, striking out over 10 batters per nine innings in relief and allowing just 4 home runs in 78 innings. 

His ERA - 2.19 after a late-season fall-off of excellence. 

Woods is older and needs to show bright and quickly in 2012 but if he does he becomes another bullpen possibility for the Rockies or a quality secondary trade chip.

Kurt Yacko (24), RHP 

Yacko was going to be listed as pitching at Tulsa but a poor start in 2012 (four runs in 2 and 1/3 innings in relief) got him demoted recently to Modesto, where he pitched in 2011. 

He was very good there, finishing the season with a 1.86 ERA and a 5/1 K/BB rate.He did allow 73 hits in 72 and 2/3 innings so he was hittable but only one of those hits was a home run. Yacko is a pitch-to-contact reliever and batters "contact/connect" too often but there is talent here. Yacko is going to have to get clever to find a way to fool hitters more to advance. 

Michael Marbry (27), RHP 

Marbry is not going to be highly attractive to most scouts because he's 27 and just entering Double-A but his recent resume is hard to ignore. At High-A Modesto in 2011, Marbry posted a 2.92 ERA in 50 games with 16 saves, with more than a 3/1 K/BB rate. 

He might be a long shot to reach the majors due to age and lack of high-quality stuff but if he can come close to duplicating what he accomplished at Modesto, the Rockies or other teams will have to at least pay attention to him as a pitcher of interest. 

Joey Williamson (26), RHP 

An awful 2011 with a 7.12 ERA in 9 games at Triple-A Colorado Springs but Williamson is off to a hot start at Double-A Tulsa in 2012 and also has struck out, in his career over 9 batters per nine innings while posting a 2/1 K/BB rate. 

Williamson has little margin for error at his age and after his failing at Triple-A appears to be an afterthought but he's always competed well and has talent. With a big first half for the Drillers, Williamson could get another shot at Triple-A this season and maybe earn a late-season call-up or be included as a trade "extra."

Rockies 2012 Hitting Prospects for Double-A Tulsa

Nolan Arenado top Rockies' hitting prospect at Double-A

Nolan Arenado, Colorado's golden talent leads the Rockies top hitting prospects starting the 2012 season at Double-A Tulsa. While Arenado is thought of as one of the top batters in the minors he's not alone amongst quality prospects for the Drillers.

There's a fellow infielder that is highly undervalued in prospect circles, and two older batters who have shown outstanding production but whom com with warning labels.

Today we look at four positional players and soon we will examine the top pitching prospects at Tulsa.

Hitters

Nolan Arenado (21), 3B

A premium talent. Arenado has got his body into better shape, worked hard to become a better third baseman and has impressed as a sterling plate defender and highly productive hitter.

The 2009 second-round draft pick excelled at High-A Modesto in 2011, hitting .298 with 32 doubles and 20 homers while driving in a minors'-best 122 runs. He only struck out 53 times on the season while walking 47.

Could he draw more walks, hit for a much higher average and show more power? Sure.

Is he a future 30-to-40 home run bat? Not likely.

Can he be a solid regular and possibly a borderline All Star? Definitely.

Many experts believe and most fans hope he can be in Denver sometime in 2012. That's certainly reasonable to think. If he's not, then 2013 seems at this time to be a lock for his arrival. 

Josh Rutledge (23), SS

A third-round pick out of the University of Alabama in the 2010 draft, Rutledge scorched California League pitching in the second half of the 2011 season, hitting over .400. he finished the campaign at .348 with 33 doubles, 9 triples and 9 homers. He drove in 71 runs and added 16 steals.

For a middle infielder those are attractive numbers.

Rutledge doesn't walk much and does strike out more than you wish so those are numbers to watch closely in Double-A this season. He needs to stay aggressive but learn to protect the plate better with two strikes.

Most scouts and prospect media do not see Rutledge as highly as I do. He can be, in my estimation a starting MLB second baseman who can hold his own and maybe be above-average offensively. He's the type of player on a good team that can be a key component to winning.

Kent Matthes (25), OF

A fourth-round pick in the 2009 draft, also out of the University of Alabama, Matthes tore up High-A pitching in the California League last season, hitting .334 with 39 doubles and 23 homers while driving in 95 runs. He did all that in 93 games. Injury prevented him from finishing the season. If Matthes isn't hurt, he easily drives in over 100 runs and likely hits somewhere between 45-50 doubles.

He's an older prospect, he walked but 22 times and struck out 80 and those are surely warts in the eyes of talent evaluators. He must prove that 2011 was not just Matthes being old for his league and hitting in that league that is known for offense.

Improve his ability to protect the plate, draw some walks commensurate to his power ability and produce at a high level again and Matthes stock will be high enough that he will be considered a possible MLB starter one day. Put up an average showing and he will surely be looked at as a backup or fringe MLB player.

Mike Zuanich (25), 1B

Very interesting story with Zuanich. He's hardly recognized, he's old for his league and is repeating Double-A. Yet his resume can't be ignored.

He's 6-foot-4, 225 pounds and from 2009-11, in the lower rungs of the minors, Zuanich hit .351 in 640 at-bats with 56 doubles and 32 homers while totaling 135 RBI. Sterling numbers in 183 games.

On the flip side, he's never played in more than 59 games in a season and at Tulsa in 2011, he hit but .261 in 30 games. He's walked only 86 times and struck out 162.

There is hitting talent here but the annual sample size is small and Zuanich will turn 26 this summer. If he doesn't overwhelm Texas League pitching now and for a full season he will likely end up in another organization or stay in Colorado as a long shot to reach or contribute at the MLB level.

Prospect Flashback for Michael Cuddyer

Michael Cuddyer was a strong prospect

Michael Cuddyer was the big offensive import for the 2012 season for the Rockies and he's off to a good start for the club through mid-April. Cuddyer has had a solid major-league career but what did he look like as a prospect? Today's Prospect Flashback takes a look at the Rockies' right-fielder when he was in the Minnesota Twins' farm system.

Cuddyer was the ninth overall pick in the 1997 June MLB Amateur Draft. His debut season was in 1998 at Low-A ball where he burst on to the scene in an impressive fashion, hitting a respectable .276 but with 37 doubles, 7 triples and 12 home runs while driving in 81 runs. He also swiped 16 bases.

He struck out 107 times but walked 61 showing that while he was aggressive and there was some swing-and-miss to his game he could be patient and draw a walk when he wasn't smacking the ball around the park. Cuddyer appeared to be a high-quality prospect, maybe even a future star.

At age 20, Cuddyer was at High-A and raised his average to .298 while hitting 24 doubles and 16 homers. He drove in 82 runs and stole 14 bases. He struck out 91 times but walked an impressive 76.

You could see his improvement as a hitter even though he hit far fewer doubles. You could have expected Cuddyer to really step forward the following season. He looked the part of rock-solid prospect, a future MLB regular, hitting as possibly a no. 3 or 6 hitter in a lineup.

In 2001, he moved up to Double-A and played like an elite player, hitting .301 with 36 doubles, 30 homers and 87 RBI. He struck out his share of times - 106 but drew 75 walks. At this point, Cuddyer had to be considered a possible future All Star.

The next season, Cuddyer was at Triple-A, where he hit .309 with 16 doubles, 9 triples and 20 homers in 86 games, driving in 53 games. He walked less (36) but was ready for the major leagues.

In 11 seasons at Minnesota, he averaged .272 with 35 doubles, 20 homers and 83 RBI. He walked an average of 58 times and struck out 114.

Cuddyer didn't reach the stardom (only one All-Star game) his Double-A numbers might indicate he would but he did develop into a quality, reliable player.

So looking at Cuddyer's overall minor's resume and his talent he would have projected here as a quality starter, possibly a .280 - .290 hitter with 35-40 doubles annually on average with 20-25 homers and 85-95 RBI.

He didn't quite produce those numbers but he wasn't far below them either. 

Rockies Hitting Prospects progress report

Yesterday we looked at the Rockies Pitching Prospects progress report. Today we look at the hitters. Far more are looking impressive early in the season than not, and the franchise certainly has some players that are legitimate MLB players-in-the-making. There is both quality and quantity and with that quantity there is margin for error for the Rockies in finding productive and cheaper players.

AAA Colorado Springs

Two outfielders are off to rough starts as Tim Wheeler, a star a season ago at Double-A Tulsa, hit but .200 in eight games for the Sky Sox, with 10 strikeouts, before getting shelved with an injury and Charlie Blackmon, who played with the Rockies in 2011, has hit only .167 in 18 at-bats. 

AA Tulsa

The Rockies top hitting prospect, third baseman Nolan Arenado is off to a strong start with the Drillers, hitting at a .364 clip with 6 doubles, a home run and 9 RBI in 12 games. He has struck out seven times and walked five, continuing his resume of strong plate defense

Shortstop Josh Rutledge, a player Colorado Rockies Prospects Report maintains, despite other media outlets indifference towards him, is going to play in the majors (as a second baseman likely) and start, is now hitting .286 with 4 doubles, 3 HRs and 8 RBI. He is striking out twice as much as he walks but he is, as he was in 2011, highly productive

Outfielder Kent Matthes, an offensive force last season at Modesto is struggling a little, hitting .243 with 4 doubles, a triple, two homers and 5 RBI.

High-A Modesto

Outfielder Corey Dickerson is starting strong with a .407 average, 5 doubles, a triple, a homer and 7 RBI.

Low-A Asheville

First baseman Harold Riggins is hitting a team-best .395 with 7 doubles, a homer and 11 RBI. He has struck out 12 times in 11 games but has been highly productive and also drawn six walks.

Third baseman Sam Mende is slugging .622. As he did last season after signing with the Rockies, Mende is showing excellent power potential. He's also hitting .311. His big red flag is plate defense. He's struck out 14 times in 12 games and drawn only two walks. Correct that flaw and Mende will fly through the system with his bat.

Shortstop Trevor Story is at .300 with 2 doubles, 3 home runs and 7 RBI. He's walked 6 times while striking out 10 so he's defending the plate well. Story appears to be better than his pre-draft (2011) hype as a hitter.

Catcher Will Swanner is hitting .300 with a pair of homers (hit in one game) and 9 RBI but has struck out 9 times while walking once, which is his M.O.

Rockies prospect Cabrera still starring

Edwar Cabrera continues to be a prospect afterthought by many who cover the game of baseball's top young talent. Colorado Rockies Prospects Report, however, insists Cabrera is an undervalued and promising prospect who will end up sticking in the major leagues. Tuesday night was yet another example why. 

Cabrera threw eight perfect innings at Double-A Tulsa before surrendering a hit.

Reliever Coty Woods then closed out the game by retiring the next three hitters. 

Cabrera is not a big name when it comes to prospects because today it seems it's all about velocity. Cabrera might lack the mid-90's fastball but he does know how to pitch, how to get outs, how to work a game. That approach has worked for Jamie Moyer (yes, an outlier) for decades. 

The book here on Cabrera is that he will be a solid rotation piece as a no. 4 or 5 starter. The Rockies have a good one developing and yet he is not talked about much.

Rockies Pitching Prospects progress report

AAA Colorado Springs

Christian Friedrich looks like a changed man. From two sub-par seasons at Double-A Tulsa to a quality beginning with the Sky Sox.

Friedrich has made three starts, posted a 2.33 ERA, allowed no home runs allowed, possesses a 6/1 strikeout-to-walks ratio and has a 0.78 WHIP. He's keeping batters off base, forcing ground balls and looking dominant, something he hasn't been since 2009 at High-A Modesto.

AA Tulsa

Edwar Cabrera has fashioned a 2.25 ERA over two starts with an impressive 0.83 WHIP and a 4/1 strikeout -to-walks rate. However, for those positive markers he is struggling in an area I've discussed before - he is likely throwing too many strikes or not commanding those strikes as he has allowed a home run on average every three innings, a red flag for higher levels of competition.

Joe Gardner isn't missing enough bats (11 hits in 9 innings) but does have an ERA of 3.00.

Joey Williamson, now 26, has allowed no runs in six innings of relief, striking out nine batters, giving up just three hits. He's a long shot to make the Rockies but if he's going to keep pitching like this, then anything is possible.

Reliever Coty Woods, one of the better relief prospects in the system hasn't allowed a run in five innings but there are concerns arising as he's allowed seven hits and struck out just one batter.

High-A Modesto

Tyler Matzek has a sterling 1.72 ERA through three starts. In typical Matzek style he is keeping the ball in the yard (only 1 HR allowed), striking out many (19 in 15 and 2/3 innings) and unfortunately, walking too many (4.60 per nine innings).

Low-A Asheville

Vianney Mayo has an ERA of 4.00 after three starts but he's showing potential with 18 K's in 18 innings and fewer hits than innings pitched.The 22-year old Venezuelan is a low-level prospect who is looking improved.

Reliever Kenny Roberts has a 1.50 ERA in six innings, striking out seven and not allowing any base on balls. He's one of the Colorado Rockies' Prospects Reports better relief prospects in the organization.

Dickerson leads Rockies' hitting prospects at Modesto

High-A Modesto produced and showcased some high-quality hitting prospects in 2010 for the Colorado Rockies and have quality again in 2012.

Third baseman Nolan Arenado, the Colorado Rockies' Prospects Report hitter of the year, excelled at Modesto last season. He was joined by outfielder Kent Matthes and middle infielder Josh Rutledge.

Those three have graduated to Double-A Tulsa but the Nuts have talented and intriguing bats again, including a recent first-round pick, two of the better catchers in the system now that Wilin Rosario is with the big league club and a player I believe could soon be much more valued.


Corey Dickerson (22), OF

Rockies hitting prospect Corey Dickerson

Simply put, Dickerson is not as appreciated as he should be, could be and likely will be in three years.

You won't have to listen long or closely to hear all the negatives - he was an awful hitter last season away from Low-A Asheville and his approach is going to fail him.

True, Dickerson was embarrassingly bad on the road last season, hitting under .200 with minimal power but look at his whole body of work, both in 2011 and since he signed in 2010. If one does that, they can see many positives and it becomes clear Dickerson can hit, is a hitter and will likely keep hitting.


He finished at .344 at Casper (Rookie League) after signing and then .284 at Asheville last season. In those 184 games and 695 at-bats Dickerson has put up some big numbers - .317 average, 49 doubles, 14 triples and 45 homers while driving in 148 runs. His slugging percentage has been well over .600.

So pick at warts if one must, Dickerson, as I like to write, has just hit and hit since being signed.

The one negative I see is he must become more selective and disciplined with two strikes but that's a challenge that most young players have to learn to master.

I expect him to play well (how well is unknown) at High-A Modesto and earn an invite to Double-A Tulsa, maybe even sometime late this season. 

Kyle Parker (22), OF

The Rockies first-round pick in the 201 draft.

Parker's debut season was met with warm applause by prospect-reporting media but the truth is he played well as a rookie at Asheville, displaying MLB potential. He hit .285 with 23 doubles, 21 homers and drove in 95 runs. Those are impressive first-year numbers.

Now for the negatives. In 117 games, he walked just 48 times. That's poor for a slugger who should be feared and walked often but it also shows Parker's aggressiveness. What is not debatable is Parker has a poor approach to hitting with two strikes as his disappointing 133 strikeouts attest. Cut that number by 20 or 30 percent, walk 20 percent more and Parker's prospect status leaps.

He will take some time to develop, refine and advance but the talent is not lacking. Personally, I like him best as either a leftfielder or training him to be a first baseman. His bat could play well at either position.

Parker got hurt just as the season was getting underway. That will slow his progress. Will he get healthy, stay healthy, improve his flaws and make an impact in 2012? Time will tell. 

Brett Tanos (23), 3B

A solid season and a player who, with the bat, is undervalued.

He hit .285 at Low-A, with 28 doubles and 10 homers, along with 71 walks and 85 strikeouts.

For a third baseman, those numbers are respectable but not eye grabbing. Convert him to second base, teach him the position defensively, and his offense looks enticing.

At 5-foot-11, 175 pounds, his body type is better suited for the middle of the infield anyway.  

Dustin Garneau (24), C

Garneau is an interesting case study. He's old for his league, doesn't hit for much average (.255) and yet there is a lot to like.

At Asheville last season, Garneau held his own at the plate with almost as many walks (58) as strikeouts (70). He hit 29 doubles, 4 triples and 17 homers, while driving in 67. Those are high-quality offensive numbers for a catcher.

Garneau has to work his way to Double-A Tulsa at some point in 2012 and succeed there as well to still be considered a desirable prospect. If he struggles this season, he likely gets considered an afterthought.

For now, he is worthy of further follow. If he can maintain his strike zone defense and power while raising his average slightly, his prospect status will at least remain solid and could go up significantly. He has little margin for error at this age but he is very interesting. 

Rafael Ortega (20), OF

Smallish frame (5-foot-11, 160 pounds) but he has shown ability.

At Low-A last season, he hit .294 with 26 doubles, 8 triples, 9 homers and 66 RBI in 113 games.  He also stole 32 bases.

Problems - he struck out three more times than he walked and was caught 19 times while attempting to steal so it's easy to see Ortega is undisciplined, if not sloppy at his craft. Those areas can be corrected with baseball IQ and sustained effort.

Ortega probably projects best as a MLB backup at this time. 

Christhian Adames (20), SS

Scouts and prospect-reporting media like him. I'm intrigued but not yet riveted with interest.

Adames is considered a plus defensive infielder within the Rockies' system. His bat isn't bad either, especially for his age. He hit .273 at Low-A, with 17 doubles, 8 homers and 44 RBI. He held his own with plate discipline too.

So, he's raw, talented and in need of much more development before I can feel strongly about him. He does show some punch for a middle infielder so if he adds weight and strength to his 6-foot, 160-pound frame, he could do even more with the bat. For now, he should focus on making more contact. 

Bryce Massanari (25), C

A 30th-round draft choice, he has been a surprise. He hit .328 with 19 doubles and 14 homers in 69 games last season at Asheville. That's big production, especially from a catcher, even in a hitters' park. He struck out 64 times but walked 35 so his plate discipline was reasonable.

The problem here is age - Massanari is still in A-ball and he turns 26 in late April. Unless he breaks out with a stunning season, he's likely to be organizational filler. The upside is he can still contend to be a MLB backup, if not in Denver one day then somewhere. This season is critical to Massanari's marketing. 

Jared Clark (25), 1B

Played in only 61 games at Modesto last year and underwhelmed, hitting .229. That fact and his age are serious negatives but in 2010 he hit .299 with 24 homers and 82 RBI. The strikeouts were high (113) but so were the walks (76).

Bottom line - he showed ability to be a run producer at first base. The question is he can he stay healthy and put another quality season in the books to get attention, if not from the Rockies, but another organization.

Prospect Flashback for Ian Stewart

Former Rockie Ian Stewart

Ian Stewart was once thought to be the next slugging third baseman for the Rockies, a Vinny Castilla-type producer at the hot corner.  His career showed flashes but eventually stalled out, promise unfulfilled. Should that have been such a surprise? Today's Prospect Flashback looks at indicators that Stewart was more likely to fall short of prominence than achieve it.

Stewart was the tenth overall pick in the 2003 amateur draft, a prep selection out of a California High School. He hit 25 homers for the Rockies in 2009 but eventually disappointed to the degree that the Rockies gave up on him and traded him to the Chicago Cubs after the 2011 season. Was Stewart overvalued as a prospect or did he just fail to deliver on his potential?

When Stewart was sent to the Cubs, he left the organization with a .236 career average in 435 games. He totaled 61 doubles, 54 homers and 188 RBI with the club.

He also struck out 399 times while walking just 147. Remember those numbers.

The power Stewart showed in 2009 ended up not being a preview of great production. It proved to be an aberration.

He did struggle with injuries in 2011 but he was so awful in the 48 games he played, hitting a lowly .156 that he bought his own ticket out of town, figuratively speaking.

So did any markers in Stewart's minor league career predict this failure?

His debut at Casper (rookie league) was sensational - .317 average, 14 doubles, 5 triples, 10 homers and 43 RBI in only 57 games. It appeared the Rockies had a potential superstar hitter on their hands.

The following season, in 2004, at Asheville, Stewart again showed the ability to hit for high average, stroking the ball at a .319 clip. He hit 30 doubles, 9 triples and 31 homers, driving in 101 runs and even stealing 19 bases. Again, he looked the part of future multiple-time All Star in the making. He was an aggressive and free swinger though, going down on strikeouts 112 times and only walking 66 but he was so productive that those had to be considered minor flaws at the time.

In 2005, at High-A Modesto, Stewart finally was being challenged by professional ball as his average plummeted to .274. With 32 doubles, 7 triples and 17 homers (with 86 RBI), he still looked like a quality prospect but with the locale being A-ball and Stewart's average and power down significantly, that should have been at least a mild warning sign of trouble.

The next season, Stewart was only 21 when he hit Double-A Tulsa, with whom he hit .268, with 41 doubles, 7 triples and 10 homers, driving in 71 runs. This season was yet another regression of batting average and while the doubles and triples power was outstanding, while Stewart was still productive, it had to be clear he was a flawed prospect now, one that would struggle to hit for average at the MLB level, not the potential elite talent he appeared to be after his seasons at Casper and Asheville.

In 2007, Stewart was knocking on the door of the majors when he arrived at Triple-A Colorado Springs. He played 112 games and hit .280, which is a respectable average in the majors but a puny one for the Pacific Coast League. This was a big distress signal that Stewart would struggle to consistently hit MLB pitching. He did hit 15 doubles, 6 triples and 19 homers so his power potential was still intriguing.

Looking back, the book on Stewart would have been this - has solid power that could play up more if he can develop at improve contact. Project him to hit 15-20 homers, with some seasons of 25 or more possible with further development. Will be most productive being a doubles hitter, where he could hit 35, 40 or more annually as a ceiling and 20-25 as a floor. Probable .240 - .250 hitter. Might start a few seasons but will club will likely look to replace him fairly quickly.

Stewart never did find consistency, never became the player he was capable of becoming in Colorado. The talent was there but not the refinement. As insulting as this might be, he quit developing.

At one time, he looked like he could become special.

Today he is a forgettable footnote in club history and appears to be a future journeyman.

Sickels talks player analysis with comparisons

John Sickels of Minor League Ball, trusted talent evaluator, took some time to look at the concept of examining prospects and making comparisons.

 

CRPR: The player comparison. How often do you "see" or think of a comparison when viewing/assessing talent and how often do you share that comparison with your followers and customers?

 

Sickels: Well, first of all there are a couple of different types of comparisons.

 

Scouts usually talk in terms of physical comparisons, body types, etc. You can also make statistical comparisons: prospect X should put up major league numbers similar to big-leaguer Y. 

 

Sometimes the two kinds of comps line up perfectly, but sometimes they don't. 

 

To be honest I don't really think in terms of direct comparisons that often. I often find them more misleading than illuminating and I think people put too much weight in them. If something really stands out to me, I'll usually mention it, but in general I don't like them very much.

 

CRPR: What warnings should we take into consideration when listening to/reading or hearing player comparisons? 

 

Sickels: Well, keep in mind the two types I mentioned above. Also there is some stereotyping that goes into it.

 

A few years ago it seemed like every African American right-handed-hitting outfielder with speed and power was automatically compared to Mike Cameron.

 

A few years before that every thin Latin American pitcher with a live arm was compared to Pedro Martinez. Sometimes a comp will come to mind right away, but if one doesn't, I don't spend a huge amount of time trying to come up with an exact name and I'll just talk about what I think the player will do.

 

CRPR: In making a quality comparison what needs to go into the decision-making process? 

 

Sickels: Well, the scout or analyst or writer or whoever is making the comparison needs to be clear, in his own head let alone in whatever he tells others, if he's talking about a physical or a performance comp.

 

CRPR: How accurate can comparisons be? 

 

Sickels: Like I said earlier, I think they are often misleading. I would much rather say something like "this guy should hit somewhere between .240 and .260 with 20-25 homers, double-digit steals, and above-average defense in center field". Maybe "Mike Cameron" is a shorthand for that, but I'd still rather spell that out.

 

CRPR: Want to share a mention of your latest book and how to purchase it?

 

The 2012 Baseball Prospect Book is available at johnsickels.net. It has reports on over 1,100 minor league players, written in an entertaining and, i hope, informative way.

Best 2012 Rockies pitching prospects at Modesto

The Colorado Rockies saw outstanding production from talent at High-A affiliate Modesto in 2011 as Colorado Rockies' Prospects Report Players of the Year Nolan Arenado (hitter) and Chad Bettis (pitcher) both excelled. Those two and others have moved on but many quality prospects have arrived to take their place.

Arenado and Bettis greatly increased their prospect status while playing for the Nuts, as did hitters Kent Matthes and Josh Rutledge and pitchers Edwar Cabrera, Coty Woods and Kurt Yacko. Even older pitcher Michael Marbry stood out.

Today, I look at the better and best pitching prospects starting the season at Modesto. Later this week, I'll examine numerous hitters and there are certainly some undervalued ones, including one whom I continue to believe is a real sleeper within the organization.

Pitchers

Tyler Matzek

Tyler Matzek (21), LHP

The enigma.

Wonderously talented and maybe, unfortunately, a critically flawed prospect.

The eleventh-overall pick in the 2011 MLB Amateur Draft, Matzek has both dazzled and befuddled the Rockies' front office, scouts, managers, teammates and fans.

He has the solid body (6-foot-3, 210 pounds), stuff and ability to be a reliable starter at the major league level. He also shows such extreme lack of control that is has to be declared wildness to an exponential power.

In 40 career starts in the organization heading into this season, Matzek has walked 158 batters in 186 and 1/3 innings.

That's over 7.6 walks per nine frames.

That's not going to put any manager at ease or make any teammate happy.

Matzek, however, has allowed just 141 hits and 14 home runs in those same 186 and 1/3 innings, while striking out 199, showing he can also be very difficult to hit and yes, dominant for stretches when he can find the strike zone consistently and attractively enough to make batters look bad.

Matzek started last season at Modesto and in ten starts had an ERA of 9.82. He was lasting less than four innings per start and allowing more walks (4.6) than hits (3.4).

The franchise allowed him to go work with his youth pitching coach to get back to his prior mechanics and when Matzek returned to the organization he was demoted to Low-A Asheville where in 12 starts his ERA was a significantly improved 4.46. More importantly, he finished the season pitching some of his best baseball as a pro, embarrassing hitters consistently, to the tune of a 2.25 ERA over his final six starts. He once again looked the part of tantalizing prospect.

So who is Matzek? He is undoubtedly an elite talent capable of starting in the major leagues based on ability. He looked refined and confident at the end of 2011. He also has a resume that is littered with such terrible wildness that it wouldn't be a surprise to see him fail to stick or even reach the major leagues. Matzek, simply put, is in that prospect category called boom or bust. There likely will not be any in-between with him. He's as high risk as they come. But many teams would love to have a chance to develop him because he's young and supremely talented.

He showed a great (mental) makeup last season too. He was composed, made adjustments and improved dramatically during the course of the summer.

In 2012, look closely to see if he can learn to consistently control his pitches and decrease his walks to a reasonable rate of four or fewer per nine innings while maintaining his strength (hard-to-hit stuff).

Talent is beautiful but if its' undisciplined or unrefined, it's useless. It only gets one in the door for consideration for success. Results define a player.

Teams and better hitters will make a pitcher pay dearly for too many chances to score runs. Matzek must take a significant step forward with results commensurate to his talent and potential.


Christian Bergman (23), RHP

A 24th-round pick in 2010, Bergman was too hittable in his pro debut that season (5.96 ERA) but he showed vast improvement in his 15 starts in 2011.

Bergman, pitching at short-season affiliate Tri-City, allowed fewer than one baserunner per inning, posted a 6/1+ strikeout-to-base-on-balls ratio and walked just over one batter per nine frames. All outstanding markers, as was his 2.59 ERA, which was deceptive as he was dominant the overwhelming majority of the time for the Dust Devils.

Bergman doesn't bring awe-inspiring stuff to the mound but he looked every part the cerebral, surgical, top-notch pitcher last season. He is skipping Low-A Asheville in coming to a higher level in Modesto and that will be a challenge but it also shows what the Rockies think of Bergman's capabilities.

If he proves worthy of that faith, he could leap in prospect status. For now, it's best to be cautiously optimistic that he might succeed again in 2012 with the effective formula he utilized in 2011.

He's certainly intriguing.

Bruce Kern (23), RHP

A 23rd-round pick in the 2010 draft out of St. Johns, Kern did enough at Low-A Asheville to get noticed.

In 54 relief appearances he had a strong 4/1 strikeout-to-base-on-balls ratio and he kept the ball in the park, giving up home runs less than once every 15 innings. Yet, for those positive qualities he did allow more hits than innings pitched, showing he is not either much of a mystery to batters or possessing dominant stuff.

Kern is not a prospect that will be talked about much by the scouting media but he is one to to keep an eye on over the next couple of seasons. With some improvement he could become a contributor in middle relief in a major league bullpen way down the road.

Josh Slaats (23), RHP

The big (6-foot-5, 225 pounds) righthander, a fifth-round pick in the 2010 amateur draft out of the University of Hawaii, got out of the gate quick as a prospect after signing, posting a 1.95 ERA in eight starts at Tri-City.

In 2011 at Low-A Asheville, he put in 22 starts and had an ERA of 4.18. None of his markers looked strong as he allowed too many batters to get on base (2.50 WHIP) and didn't show a strong-enough ability to get outs by himself (7.42 strikeouts per nine innings) to take some of the pressure off his fielders.

Slaats has the body that could allow him to prove more durable than smaller-framed pitchers but playing at another hitters' park this season he would be better served by refining his stuff and proving he can decrease the amount of traffic on the basepaths.

He has potential but he's raw and needs to significantly build his resume to be considered a possible starter one day at the big league level. Not excelling at Asheville and now playing in the California League sounds like a bad match. I expect him to struggle.

At this point a long-term projection might be for him to end up possibly as a reliever.

Prospect Flashback for Todd Helton

Todd Helton played up to star prospect status

Todd Helton was the eighth overall pick in the 1995 amateur draft and much was expected of him after his stellar career at the University of Tennessee as a hitter and a pitcher. So what did Helton look like as a prospect once he was signed, sealed and delivered into the Rockies organization?

Today, the initial Prospect Flashback looks at the first franchise player the Rockies ever drafted and developed.

It might sound unbelievable now for Helton, a seemingly natural-born bat master but he hit but .254 in 54 games in his debut (Asheville) in A-ball. He didn't hit for power either, going deep just once and recording only 15 RBI.

The following season though, in 1996, Helton's game showed up big as he played at both Double-A New Haven and Triple-A Colorado Springs.

At New Haven, he played 93 games and hit .332 with 24 doubles, 7 home runs and drove in 51 runs. He also showed elite ability to protect the plate and make a pitcher earn everything as he walked 51 times and struck out only 37.

Those markers showed Helton might not have plus-home run power but it did clearly indicate he was a strong bet to be an outstanding hitter for average with significant doubles production.

In 21 games at Triple-A he looked even better, hitting .352.

Helton looked ready for the majors.

The following season, in 1997, Helton was unhappy at being back in Colorado Springs, this time for 99 games, but he focused on excelling to force the Rockies' hand to call him up. He made Pacific Coast League pitching look over-matched for his talent again, hitting .352 with 31 doubles and 16 homers, driving in 88 runs.

Being aggressive, he struck out 68 times but in walking 61 times he again displayed both the ability to take a walk and protect the plate.

Helton looked every bit the star in the making, which is exactly what he became for the Rockies, offensively and defensively (three Gold Gloves) until injuries began to happen, chipping away at his elite-level excellence.

Rockies best 2012 Asheville pitching prospects

Today we look at the Rockies' better and best pitching prospects starting the 2012 season at Low-A Asheville.

Pitchers

Chris Jensen's debut in 2011 at Tri City was promising

Chris Jensen (21), RHP

A sixth-round pick out of the University of San Diego in the 2011 draft Jensen posted a 2.65 ERA in 37 and 1/3 innings as a starter in his pro debut at Tri-City.

He allowed only one home run, registered a nearly three-to-one strikeout/base-on-balls ratio (28/10) and allowed ten fewer hits than innings pitched. So a lot of positive markers.

Jensen will be tested pitching at Asheville, a noted hitters' park. How he handles that challenge will be revealing.

Ben Alsup (23), RHP

The 18th-round pick out of LSU in 2011 started 11 games, pitched in 13 total and recorded a 3.23 ERA.

He limited hitters to a home run every 15 at-bats and had twice as many strikeouts and innings pitched and five fewer hits than innings thrown.

Maybe no signs of dominance here but potential, yes.

Nelson Gonzalez (22), RHP

The slight (listed at 168 pounds) Dominican product was a fine story in 2011, starting four games, relieving in 16 more, showing versatility.

It was quality too as he didn't allow a home run in 58 innings and registered nearly a five-to-one ratio of strikeouts to base on balls. His ERA was a puny 1.71.

All brilliant numbers.

He's been slow to develop since being signed (4.18 ERA in 2010 as Casper) but progress was impressive last season and makes Gonzalez an interesting player to follow at Asheville.

Kenneth Roberts (24), LHP

A 25th-round selection so maybe not much is expected of him but he sure delivered a lot of bang for the buck in his development last season at Tri-City, striking out more than one batter per inning, registering more than a five-to-one ratio of strikeouts to base on balls, limiting hitters to a home run every 19 frames and allowing 12 fewer hits than innings pitched.

Hitters struggled to a .188 average against him.

Maybe his ceiling is limited but by appearances he looks capable in his niche in the bullpen. Being an older prospect he will have to be excellent in the next couple of years to still be considered a valued prospect. 

Dan Winkler (22), RHP

Scouts and media who cover prospects like his game but I don't currently see it. I admire tools, value them but still lean towards production and if available, consistent production.

Winkler, a 20th-round pick last year, started 12 games as Casper and posted a 3.92 ERA. Scouts might like his three-to-one ratio of strikeouts to base on balls and more strikeouts than innings pitched, seeing that as great stuff, some dominance. I recognize those markers as well. They are positive. I also think he's intriguing for being a later draft pick. There is surely talent here.

He did allow 64 hits in 57 and 1/3 frames so Winkler is hittable, too much so at this point, and still learning how to command the ball better.

Good news - he throws strikes and can get hitters out.

Caution - he needs much more refinement and pitching at Asheville will not be an easy class to pass. 

Russell Brewer (24), RHP

A 31st-round pick out of Vanderbilt in 2010, Brewer is older for this league but he did show potential at Casper last season as a reliever, posting a nearly five-to-one strikeout-to-base-on-ball ratio and allowing two fewer hits than innings pitched.

He did, however, allow four homers in 30 and 1/3 innings while being an older prospect so his stuff and control need work, quickly.

Rockies' hitting prospects for Asheville 2012

This is the third part in a series of prospect analysis reports on the Rockies' talent distribution in their minor league system. I'll look at the addresses of the organization's better and best prospects and where they are assigned to play to start the 2012 season.

Today, the focus is on the Asheville Tourists, a Low-A affiliate. I'll look at the bats today, the pitchers later this week.

Asheville was loaded with quality hitters in 2011 and the Tourists' fans will see another wave of talented ones in 2012.

I've now found a reliable source for opening day assignments of talent. I was using MLB's minor league pages MiLB.com but those were not proving accurate so I apologize for those mistakes. Prior reports have been corrected. I think all will be well from this point forward.

Top Hitters 

Trevor Story (19 years old), shortstop

Exciting prospect and definitely a flavor of the moment in the system. The 45th overall pick in the 2011 draft, Story surprised with his bat at Casper in the Pioneer League, hitting 8 doubles, 6 homers and driving in 28 runs in 47 games. His strikeout-to-base-on-balls ratio was reasonable at 26/41 so he executed well in the batter's box. His average was .268 but that should rise. His slugging percentage was an impressive .436.

Story's hit tool was questioned by scouts at draft time and yet his bat is what has gotten him widespread attention and prospect appreciation. Can he prove last season wasn't a fluke and that his offense was undervalued before the draft? Time will tell. Exciting prospect but a larger sample size is needed to see if he's the star prospect many in the media are already predicting him to be. Could be moved to third or second base as he rises in the system or become a valuable trade chip. 

Sam Mende (21), 3B

One of my favorite under-the-radar types in the system. The product of South Florida was picked in the 31st round and yet played like a much higher selection.

Yes, he struck out 52 times in 46 games and only drew 16 walks. Those areas have to improve. Mende produced too and that can't be overlooked. He slugged .614, hit .281 and had 27 extra base hits in 46 games, registering 11 doubles, 2 triples and 14 homers while driving in 39.

He showed that muscle while only being listed as 6-foot-1, 166 pounds. If he can hit again in Asheville, his prospect status goes way up. Cautious due to his big swing but also optimistic.

Will Swanner (20), catcher

The former California prep was a 15th round selection in the 2010 draft and in 61 total games at Casper, Swanner has shown power and production, hitting 18 doubles, 17 homers and driving in 37 runs. That's the big plus with him - he's productive and has juice in his bat. There are warts, however, that must be resolved.

While Swanner has hit a respectable .277, he has 93 strikeouts in those 61 games played and but 20 walks so he is too much the free swinger, especially with two strikes, lacks plate discipline and struggles to make sufficient contact. That will all be exploited against better pitchers.

The positive is that if Swanner can alter his approach, apply better mechanics, his status as a prospect will rise with more contact, less K's and his impressive power will play up. As a catcher, his power is attractive. At another position it might be considered average. A player to watch and hope on for Rockies' followers.


Rosell Herrera (19), infielder

Rosell Hererra has Fowler-like talent

Herrera is 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds and expected to grow into a stronger body. The Dominican is well liked by scouts and media who cover prospects.

He hit .284 with 6 doubles, 8 triples and 6 homers in 63 games with Casper. He's a prospect to dream on as he physically matures because he could become an extra-base machine with 15-20 home power while hitting 30-plus doubles and 10 or more triples.

He's somewhat similar to Rockies' outfielder Dexter Fowler as a hitter when Fowler was a prospect although he could develop more punch than Fowler was capable of and has shown.

What position he will end up at might still be a question mark. Herrera is a nice prospect now, enticing but a year or two from now he could one that is amongst the best in the organization. He certainly has MLB starter upside. For now, he's still very raw material.


Harold Riggins (21), 1B

A seventh-round pick in the 2011 draft out of North Carolina State, Riggins showed nice power potential by hitting 13 doubles and 8 homers in 67 games while slugging .460. While he struck out too much (85 times) he did show an ability to draw a walk (46) and hit for reasonable average (.267).

He's a player a watch. Riggins is not a top prospect but he's an under-the-radar hitter who could get much more notice if he doesn't try to over-swing and believe he has to hit 40 homers to move up. He could hit 20-plus homers, drive in 80 or more runs without seeing his average slip to embarrassing levels. A sleeper sort of talent.

David Kandilas (21), OF

The 21-year old Australian is worthy of mention after hitting .327 and slugging .548 last season at Casper.

He finished the year with 17 doubles, 10 triples and 6 homers in 61 games. Kandilas also showed decent speed, stealing 15 bases.

Not considered a prized prospect but he's not one to be ignored either. The 2012 season will be a big testing ground, however. Kandilas will have to prove he can hit for average power again or else he will become an afterthought in the eyes of most scouts who already doubt him. To me, there is enough talent to pay close attention to his game.

Summary 

This power-six pack of bats all have the talent to play in the high levels of the minors and possibly reach the majors, whether as starters or reserves. If healthy and mentally tough I expect all of this batters to hit with some varying degree of success in 2012. All should push for High-A Modesto, whether it be later in 2012 or sometime next season. Most have to focus on not swinging for the fences at all times. Be a professional hitter and the power will be present. They also can concentrate on fine tuning their defense and being consistent as professionals.

2012 pitching prospect analysis for Grand Junction

This is the second part in a series of the Colorado Rockies' 2012 roster analysis on their top prospects. Yesterday I looked at the Grand Junction Rockies' hitters and today I examine that affiliate's better pitchers.

There were some corrections I've made to the hitters' list from yesterday. Grand Junction, at MiLB.com showed Rosell Herrera and David Kandilas on its' roster but both of those players have been promoted to Asheville (thank you to one reader, Will, who alerted me to that fact). I've deleted their write-ups for the GJ Rockies and will post it again when I write up the Asheville hitters soon.

For Grand Junction, that team has bats but is lean on pitching to start the season

Only two names stand out as better prospects come opening day and both are relievers.

Better Pitching Prospects

Kyle Roliard (22 years old), LHP

A 6-foot-5, 190 pound reliever when signed as a 13th round pick out of Louisiana Tech in 2011, Roliard is now built up his body to 210 pounds.

He posted a 4.76 ERA in 21 appearances in pro debut last season. That's not eye grabbing but he did hold batters to a .237 average against him and struck out 36 in 28 and one-third innings, while posting a 36/13 strikeout-to-walks ratio. Those markers show some ability. He passed his initial test.

There are concerns, however, as Roliard was predominantly a flyball pitcher but there is talent to work with for the Rockies. Refinement is the goal now.

Maybe Roliard has a lower ceiling than other pitching prospects but at this time, he is intriguing and clearly one of Grand Junction's better arms heading into 2012.

Michael Wohlford (22), RHP

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound reliever was a 22nd round pick in 2011 and recorded a 3.86 ERA in 24 appearances. Like Roliard, not really inspiring but he held hitters to a .231 average, struck out 25 batters in 23 and a one-third innings and had more than a two-to-one strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Rockies 2012 hitting prospects for Grand Junction

This is the first part in a series of talent and prospect analysis reports on the Rockies' talent distribution in their minor league system. I'll look at the addresses of the organization's better and best prospects and where they are assigned to play to start the 2012 season.

Today, the focus is on the Grand Junction (CO) Rockies, a low-A affiliate. I'll look at the bats today, the pitchers later this week.

Top Hitters

Dillon Thomas (19), OF

A fourth-round pick in 2011, Thomas played in but 15 games but hit .328 somehow while striking out 18 times and drawing but 3 walks. The Houston native had only three extra-base hits so that will need to improve as will his plate discipline.

Carl Thomore (19), OF

The New Jersey prep was a second-round pick in 2011. He had an interesting debut season. On one hand he drove in 25 runs in 43 games but on the other hand he struggled mightily by hitting (or not hitting) .192 with 52 strikeouts and producing a sickly on-base percentage of .288. Has a body (6-foot-2, 212 pounds) that could get stronger and aid in his power development. Needs to show he can make sufficient to outstanding contact in 2012.

Summary - Thomas and Thomore have more time to develop being in only their second season out of high school. They have talent. Having been indoctrinated in the pro game they need to show their draft position was justified.


Comments Accepted Below (just click on the pencil icon to post) Tweet

Rockies pick up pitching prospect Ottavino

Rockies claim Adam Ottavino

The Rockies have claimed pitcher Adam Ottavino off waivers from St. Louis. Ottavino pitched in five major league games, starting three, back in 2010 and was unable to solve major league batters, posting an 8.46 ERA.

Ottavino allowed five homers in 22 and a 1/3 innings, giving up a whopping 37 hits and nine walks, creating a ghastly WHIP of 2.06.

The 26-year old righthander, a product of Northeastern University showed himself best at High-A ball in 2007, with a twice as many strikeouts as base on balls and but 130 hits allowed in 143 and a 1/3 innings.

He appears, at least on the surface to be a bullpen project. He does not have potential as a quality starting pitcher at this time despite that being his background. His resume shows moderate potential and a best fit in the bullpen, ala Esmil Rogers.

Rogers showed flashes of ability as a starter but the larger the sample size grew the more apparent it became that he was not qualified to be more than a spot starter. He is now a bullpen piece.

That path might also be Ottavino's to sticking on a MLB roster.

He will likely be assigned to Triple-A Colorado Springs.


Comments Accepted Below (just click on the pencil icon to post) Tweet

Offense earns Rosario opening day roster spot

Wilin Rosario offense earns him opening day roster spot

Wilin Rosario's defense, while not excellent, is improved. His offense this spring was so good, however, that he made the Rockies' decision on a roster spot easy. The team's best catching prospect since the now-deposed Chris Iannetta, Rosario will be with Colorado to open the 2012 season as a backup.

Rosario, coming off a late 2010 injury, struggled with his swing and making sufficient contact in both the minors and a late-season call-up with the Rockies in 2011 but in spring training this season he was looked every bit the part of what the Rockies need - an offensive force that could one day hit in the middle of the lineup.

The 23-year old backstop has hit .391 with four doubles, three home runs and 11 RBI in 19 spring games. Power (40 homers and 28 doubles in 175 Double-A games) has never been an issue for Rosario. In fact, it's been his best tool, hands down.

The flashing question marks have been his defense and ability to make consistent contact (148 strikeouts in 175 games and a .264 average at Tulsa and with only 40 walks) and not being an all or nothing player.

So who is Rosario? Spring Training Superman, more of the prospect who showed glorious power in the minors but big red flags about his ability to hit for average or the real deal ready to be a star?

The Rockies will soon find out. For now, Rosario has proven he deserves to start the season in the big leagues



Comments Accepted Below (just click on the pencil icon to post) Tweet