Rockies prospects: Best of the rest
| July 24, 2009 | 7:37 AM
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The Rockies on Thursday announced they were bringing up one of their top prospects — Jhoulys Chacin — for bullpen help and sending another one — Connor Graham — to the Cleveland Indians for even more bullpen help. Chacin is nearly untouchable, while Graham, who was pitching at high Class-A Modesto, was expendable because there are several young pitchers in front of him in the Rockies system. Graham, a starter at Modesto who is more likely destined the for the bullpen in the major leagues if he makes it that far, is the sort of prospect the Rockies would have eventually lost anyway because they would not be able to find room on the 40-man roster and he woud have been exposed to the Rule V draft in a couple years.
The last couple days, we’ve caught up with the Baseball America’s Top 30 Rockies prospects here, here and here. But what about the others, the late bloomers and sleepers? Here are some other prospects worth watching in the Rockies system:
Daniel Mayora, second baseman, Double-A Tulsa: Mayora, who turns 24 years old next week, has moved through the Rockies system level by level with little fanfare. In 2008, he was listed at the Rockies 20th-best prospect, but fell off the list this season. He’s batting .304 with five home runs and 35 RBI this season.
Keith Weiser, pitcher, Double-A Tulsa: The left-handed Weiser returned to Tulsa this season. His numbers have never been overwhelming — although, he did win 17 games for Asheville in 2007 — and he has allowed more hits than innings throughout his minor league career. But he rarely walks anyone and as a lefty, he could find a spot in the Rockies bullpen one day.
Samuel Deduno, pitcher, Double-A Tulsa: 25-year-old Deduno has battled control problems and missed all of last season after Tommy John surgery. The time off may have done him good — he’s 9-2 and his 2.43 ERA at Tulsa is by far the lowest in his minor league career. His walks are still a little high — 38 in 85 1/3 innings — but he’s dominating at a high level and looks back on track to be a major league reliever one day.
Edgmer Escalona, pitcher, Double-A Tulsa: Escalona came out of nowhere this year. The 23-year-old right-handed reliever had a solid season at Asheville in 2008 — 6-2, with a 3.22 ERA — but has moved quickly this season. After going 2-0 with a 2.48 ERA at Modesto, Escalona was promoted to Tusla where he has gone 1-1 with a 1.23 ERA and four saves. In 47 1/3 innings between the two teams, Escalona has walked just 10 batters.
Joey Williamson, pitcher, Double-A Tulsa: Williamson is 10-1 with a 3.15 ERA between Modesto and Tulsa this season. A 36th-round pick in 2007, Williamson may never make it all the way. But the 23-year-old has moved quickly this season with 73 strikeouts in 80 innings.
Matthew Reynolds, pitcher, Double-A Tulsa: A 20th-round pick in 2007 Reynolds has been nearly untouchable this season in relief for Modesto and Tulsa. The left-hander has gone 5-3 with a 1.15 ERA. He’s allowed just 37 hits and nine walks in 55 innings while striking out 64.
Craig Baker, pitcher, high Single-A Modesto: A fourth-round pick in 2006, Baker was stuck at Asheville for two seasons before taking a step forward this season. Baker is 2-1 with a 2,18 ERA and leads the minor leagues in saves.
Scott Robinson, outfielder, low Single-A Asheville: The 21-year old Robinson is batting .323 with 24 doubles and 32 stolen bases in his first year at a full-season league.
Jordan Pacheco, catcher/infielder, low Single-A Asheville: A ninth-round pick in 2007, Pacheco has learned to play catcher as well as the infield and has shown power with his move to a full-season league. He’s batting .322 with 11 home runs and 59 RBI. More impressive for a young hitter, he has struck out only 32 times in 314 at-bats.
2009 draft picks: Tim Wheeler, Kent Matthes, Joseph Sanders, Nolan Arenado, Chris Balcolm-Miller and Ben Paulsen.
Journals, Sports, Steve Foster
ben paulsen, chris balcolm-miller, colorado rockies, craig baker, daniel mayora, edgmer escalona, joey williamson, jordan pacheco, joseph sanders, keith weiser, kent matthes, matthew reynolds, nolen arenado, prospects, samuel deduno, scott robinson, tim wheeler
