Catching up with BA’s top Rockies prospects, 21-30
| July 20, 2009 | 11:34 AM
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Updating the in-season progress on the Rockies’ preseason Top 30 prospects from Baseball America is normally the sort of thing we would do if the Rockies were out of competition and needed something to talk about. But today it’s something we do to occupy the time until another game. Our mind is deeply focused on baseball and there’s no news for another eight hours, so into the Prospect Handbook we go:
No. 30: Carlos Martinez, shortstop
From BA: “After two years in Casper, Martinez needs to make a significant move, which should mean earning a spot in Asheville instead of staying back in extended spring for a third season.”
Where he is now: Martinez did, indeed, earn a spot with Asheville this season, but as struggled most of the year. He is batting just .184 with no home runs and 13 RBI. He has just seven walks and has struck out 71 times in 228 at-bats, nearly one-third of his plate appearances.
No. 29: Joe Koshansky, first base
From BA: “Unless Helton or Atkins are unable to play, Koshansky — who is on the 40-man roster — will return to Colorado Springs for a third season.”
Where he is now: Koshansky didn’t quit make it to Colorado Springs because he was put on waivers and claimed by the Texas Rangers at the end of spring training. A few days later he was put on waivers by the Rangers and claimed by the Milwaukee Brewers. Once a promising first base prospect for the Rockies — blocked, as others like Ryan Shealy have been, by Todd Helton — Koshansky is batting .216 with 16 home runs and 47 RBI for Nashville, the Brewers’ Triple-A affiliate, where he has spent the entire season.
No. 28: Christian Colonel, infielder/outfielder
From BA: “He isn’t on the 40-man roster at age 27, meaning time is running out even for a versatile player like Colonel.”
Where he is now: Colonel, who has spent another season bouncing around positions at Triple-A Colorado Springs, is batting .252 with four home runs and 41 RBI. While there isn’t much chance he’ll crack the Rockies lineup anytime soon, there’s still a chance he one day makes the Rockies as the last guy off the bench simply because of his versatility — he can play the outfield, first base, third base, second base and even catcher. But the drop in production this season (he hit .308 with 12 home runs in 2008) has likely put any thoughts of getting a call anytime soon on hold.
No. 27: Jonathan Herrera, infielder
From BA: “Herrera has little power to speak of, limiting his offensive upside, and preventing him from being a big league regular.”
Where he is now: Herrera, who spent some time in the major leagues in 2008 with the Rockies, has been back at Triple-A Colorado Springs all season. His is batting .258 with 45 runs scored and 15 stolen bases. Because of his speed and versatility in the infield, there’s always a chance he could make it back to the Rockies, but it would seem his potential spot on the roster is being taken by Omar Quintanilla.
No. 26: Corey Wimberley, infielder
From BA: “Wimberly is ready to move up to Triple-A after consecutive seasons at Tulsa.”
Where he is now: Wimberly was traded to Oakland before spring training started for outfielder Matt Murton. He’s spent most of the season battling injuries, but recently returned to Midland. He’s batting .324 with 25 runs scored and nine stolen bases in 25 games for Oakland’s Double-A team.
From BA: “Roe is reaching a turning point in his career. A decision has to be made whether he would be better served in the bullpen.”
Where he is now: Roe, a former supplemental first-round pick of the Rockies, has been a puzzling prospect for the team, tantalizing the organization with his stuff, but frustrating them with his slow development. Roe returned this season to Double-A Tulsa, where he is 3-2 with a 2.85 ERA in 10 starts and for the time being, at least, has been more tantalizing again than frustrating.
From BA: “He isn’t afraid to pitch backward and catch a hitter off balance.”
Where he is now: Riordan, who’s never going to dominate hitters, has been solid but unspectacular at high Single-A Modesto this season. He’s 5-6 with a 4.43 ERA in 19 games (18 starts). But recently, things have picked up for Riordan. He’s allowed just one run in eight innings in each his past two starts, and has gone at least eight innings in four of his past 10. Other than rough back-to-back starts at the end of June and beginning of July, Riordan has gotten better as the season progresses.
From BA: “Given his roster situation, Morillo figures to be in the big leagues this year, but it’s a question of which team will find roster space.”
Where he is now: Morillo made the Rockies bullpen out of spring training, but never pitched for the team. Through most of his minor-league career with the Rockies, Morillo was viewed as equal to or better than Ubaldo Jimenez. While Jimenez has put his erratic past behind him, Morillo has yet to live up to his potential. He was designated for assignment and claimed by the Twins in mid-April and pitched two games for the team, recording a 22.50 ERA in three games and two innings. He’s spent most of the season at the Twins’ Triple-A affiliate in Rochester where he is 3-3 with a 3.00 ERA and continues to dazzle (51 strikeouts in 39 innings) and frustrate (22 walks).
No. 22: Brandon Hynick, pitcher
From BA: “He’s headed to Triple-A to try to prove himself again.”
Where he is now: Some of the luster has worn off Hynick since his breakout season in 2007 at Modesto. But he’s made progress this season with Colorado Springs. He pitched a seven-inning perfect game for the team on June 30 and has steadily improved his performance at home, where is numbers were dramatically worse than his road numbers until recently. He could get a shot with the Rockies as a spot starter or in the bullpen. One thing standing in his way of at least September callup is that he is not already on the 40-man roster.
No. 21: Aaron Weatherford, pitcher
From BA: “He could wind up as a closer long-term, as his splitter gives him a weapon to neutralize left-handed hitters.”
Where he is now: Weatherford, a third-round pick in 2008 who didn’t play after he was drafted last season, pitched seven games with low Single-A Asheville, going 0-1 with a 4.76 ERA in 11 1/3 innings. He moved to short-season Tri-City in mid-June and dominated in his first four games, recording a 1.69 ERA and striking out nine in 5 1/3 innings.
Journals, Sports, Steve Foster
aaron weatherford, baseball america, brandon hynick, carlos martinez, chaz roe, christian colonel, colorado rockies, corey wimberly, cory riordan, joe koshansky, jonathan herrera, juan morillo, prospects
