Wednesday Pebble Report: Tim Wheeler Homers Twice yawn

by Andrew T. Fisher on Jul 13, 2011 6:51 AM MDT in Pebble Report

Nolan Arenado had a good performance in the Futures Game. Last night....not so much.

AA Tulsa - L 4-8 (8-10, 2nd, 3.5 GB)

PuRP Tim Wheeler (2009, 1st round) met and slightly exceeded expectations yesterday, earning a solid B grade by hitting two more home runs. The Drillers' center fielder now has 24 home runs. When will it stop? Both came against right-handed pitchers, but still. #1 PuRP Wilin Rosario (2008, DR) and #19 PuRP Ben Paulsen (2009, 3rd round) doubled, and Lars Davis (2007, 3rd round) doubled twice.

Esmil Rogers made his first rehab start and was quite mediocre in taking the loss. The Opening Day fifth starter allowed three runs (one earned) in four innings while striking out one. Originally scheduled starter Josh Sullivan (2005, 5th round) coughed up five runs in three innings to push the game out of reach.

High-A Modesto - L 8-11 (9-10, 4th, 6.0 GB)

#5 PuRP Nolan Arenado (2009, 2nd round) had a rough night, comitting his 10th error, going 0-for-5 and striking out twice, which is actually quite significant. Coming in, in his 228 career professional games, he had struck out more than once just eight times. Catcher Juan Gonzalez homered, Angelys Nina singled three times, and four Nuts doubled - David Christensen (2006, 2nd round), Kent Matthes (2009, 4th round), Kiel Roling (2008, 6th round) and Jared Clark (2009, 12th round). Down six in the ninth, Modesto scored three times, but pinch-hitter Scott Robinson (2006, 30th round) popped out to end the game representing the tying run.

Will Harris (2006, 9th round) had the most difficult night of his career, allowed five runs in one inning of relief. Leuris Gomez (2006, DR) scorched the earth to start the season, but since then has become more than human. After allowing three runs last night, he has been scored upon in three straight appearances and 14 of 16. Still, he's sporting a 2.99 FIP, so don't write him off yet.

AAA Colorado Springs - Off Day (41-49, 3rd, 12.5 GB)

The Sky Sox are off until Thursday, when they will start a series in Reno against the Aces (Diamondbacks)

Low-A Asheville - L 3-4 (9-10, 5th, 4.5 GB)

A furious Asheville rally in the ninth inning rally fell just short in Delmarva Tuesday, falling for their fifth consecutive game. Trailing 4-1, the Tourists loaded the bases on an error, single and catcher's interference. Brett Tanos (2010, 10th round) pulled a single through the infield to cut the deficit to one, but #12 PuRP Rafael Ortega (2008, VZ) struck out and Helder Velazquez (2006, 5th round) lined out to end the game with the tying run on second. Dustin Garneau (2009, 19th round) homered earlier in the game. Josh Mueller (2010, 13th round)
allowed four runs in six innings for the loss.

Short Season-A Tri-City - Off Day (12-13, 3rd, 2.0 GB)

The Dust Devils had the day off yesterday, a buffer from traveling back to Pasco from Salem. They open a five game series at home against the Eugene Emeralds (Padres), who have just plain stupid 21-4 record this season. Christian Bergman will pitch game one tonight, starting at 8:15 MDT.

Rookie Casper - Off Day (7-15, 4th, 9.0 GB)

The Ghosts traveled the 400 miles from Ogden, Utah to Casper yesterday, so the squad got a merciful day off. They open a three game home series tonight at 7:05 MDT against the Missoula Osprey (Diamondbacks), with 2011 sandwich pick SS Trevor Story set to make his home debut. I will be there.

DSL Rockies W 2-1, W 5-3 (19-18, 4th, 6.0 GB)

Jayson Aquino continues another stellar season in the DSL. The 18-year-old southpaw improved to 3-1 with a 1.76 ERA by holding the Twins to just 1 ER in 6.1 IP, striking out seven and walking one. That lone walk came around to score on a double. The Rockies didn't produce much offense, with both runs scoring on errors attempting to get an out on a different base-runner.

Edit: Derp. As Rox Girl noted, the DSL squad played a double header yesterday. Johemdi Jiminian got the win in game two, though he walked four in five innings. Center fielder Raimel Tapia doubled in a run and scored, DH Jose Briceno drove in a run and scored twice with two singles, and another Rosario catcher - this one Jairo Rosario - doubled, singled and drove home two.

Tweet Comment 15 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Can't wait to hear about Story.

Sandwich picks seem to do well for us IIRC.

Colorado Rockies Players on Twitter

by Charlie77 on Jul 13, 2011 8:39 AM MDT via mobile reply actions

Pretty wierd box score for Modesto

Their first three hitters – Cleary, Rutledge, and Aranado – went 1-11 while the rest of the lineup went 11-25.

I'm pretty disgusted right now!

by RhodeIslandRoxfan on Jul 13, 2011 9:04 AM MDT reply actions

Cleary did walk three times.

He’s putting up a very interesting season in that department with a 50/59 BB/K ratio. Despite having his lowest batting average as a professional baseball player, he has his highest OBP. If the average dip is just a BABIP related fluke, it could mean that he’s quietly taken a step forward this year and should remain somebody we should watch carefully.

by Rox Girl on Jul 13, 2011 9:17 AM MDT up reply actions

The walks are stunning to me, considering the casual (nonchalant) approach he takes to his at bats.

Some days, I feel like I’ve accidentally entered the Church of Tulowitzki on Baseball Easter.
SB Nation Denver | On Twitter | Random Music Writings

by Muzia on Jul 13, 2011 11:03 AM MDT up reply actions

That's interesting, as the K rate is relatively sound

If he was just sitting back and letting everything go by, you’d expect that side of the balance sheet to be higher. Despite his nonchalance, there seems to be a method to it. He’s still an interesting talent with his athletic build and now this. If he could put everything together, he would be a very valuable asset. as of right now, though, he’s still looking like he might wind up just missing and not quite making the MLB, or making it only briefly.

by Rox Girl on Jul 13, 2011 11:30 AM MDT up reply actions

Second impressive year for Jayson Aquino

Even if it is in the pitching heavy DSL. Any thoughts on future movement/promitions for him?

Time for some of this Rockies: "One of the beautiful things about baseball is that every once in a while you come into a situation where you want to, and where you have to, reach down and prove something." Nolan Ryan

by dsmba on Jul 13, 2011 9:20 AM MDT reply actions

I think he's clearly going to get a shot at play in the states, but it's seeming most likely that will be in 2012

I’m not sure what the Rockies are having him working on in the DSL, but the fact that he was held back after 2010 should be an indication that he doesn’t have the stuff or arsenal of pitchers that are in Casper or Pasco already. It’s not necessarily an indictment on his ceiling, just a warning that it might take him longer to develop than one might expect by just looking at his stats.

BTW, the DSL Rockies actually swept a double-header yesterday, winning the second game 5-3. Raimel Tapia had a double in each game, he’s looking very solid right now for a 17 year old. The Rockies CF depth doesn’t seem to be letting up.

by Rox Girl on Jul 13, 2011 9:33 AM MDT up reply actions

whoa...woops

Writing the pebble after midnight after starting my work day at 5 probably wasn’t wise. Whiff.

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Jul 13, 2011 10:30 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions

I know Chacin started down there and wasn't brought up until he was 19 so maybe its an age thing

Aquino’s numbers are absolutely ridiculous for two seasons now. Are there any DSL scouting sites out there?

by dsmba on Jul 13, 2011 11:05 AM MDT up reply actions

ooo man, that switch to k per PA and not AB is tricky

I was so happy when I saw Wheeler’s k rate was 22%, but alas, it’s 26% under the old way. Gotta get used to a new set of norms…

"These are thin mints. I put them in the freezer. My favorites. So good."
--Reds outfielder Adam Dunn, on the girl scout cookies he keeps in his locker

by Resolution on Jul 13, 2011 8:34 PM MDT reply actions

Question:

Is anyone in our franchise – minor or major any good at stealing bases with a high success rate (with the exception of CarGo)?

"These are thin mints. I put them in the freezer. My favorites. So good."
--Reds outfielder Adam Dunn, on the girl scout cookies he keeps in his locker

by Resolution on Jul 13, 2011 8:37 PM MDT reply actions

scott beerer is 17/5 (AA)

wheeler is 15/9 (AA)
young 17/1 (AAA)
blackmon 12/5 (AAA)
taveras 12/3 (AAA)
salazar 8/0 (AAA)
fields 7/0 (AAA, now in japan)

the only organization of humans responsible for more evil in the universe than the philadelphia phillies is the boston red sox

if it's not tracy's fault, it's not not tracy's fault, either

by papality on Jul 13, 2011 9:09 PM MDT up reply actions

Blakmon 5/1 (MLB)

"There have been only two geniuses in the world. Willie Mays and Willie Shakespeare." ~Tallulah Bankhead
"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too." ~Greg, age 8
JFK

by jrockies on Jul 13, 2011 9:16 PM MDT up reply actions