The first week of the minor league season is underway and already the stars are shining on the Rockies farm. Trevor Story (PuRP No. 8) and Tommy Murphy (PuRP No. 12) are mashing in Double-A New Britain, and Ryan McMahon (PuRP No. 7) is settling in nicely after earning a spring promotion to High-A Modesto. Meanwhile, catcher Dustin Garneau is adapting to his new home in Albuquerque and putting up some of the best offensive numbers in the organization.
The Rockies have shown a knack for drafting infield talent recently and Forrest Wall (PuRP No. 9) is another example of that successful streak. Drafted out of high school in Maitland, Fla., Wall came close to attending the University of North Carolina, but passed when the Rockies offered him a $2 million signing bonus.
"It's cool to be back," Wall said. "I was going to play college ball here, and now my first full year of pro ball will be here in North Carolina and it's closer to home. My family will be able to come up here to visit."
Wall fell slightly in the draft due to concerns surrounding a pretty severe shoulder injury he suffered in high school. Last season the Rockies monitored his throwing program and have been working with him to get stronger.
"It's really good," said Wall on his shoulder. "I focused on it this off-season, and I came into spring training and it's stronger than it's ever been. It feels great."
One thing Wall hasn't needed to strengthen is his performance at the plate. The left-handed hitter has a knack for matching the plane of his swing with the ball and squaring up pitches. This season, Forrest is putting up a .957 OPS and has three extra-base hits.
One of the complaints about Wall entering the 2014 draft was his lack of size. While he isn't the biggest player on the field, he's actually similar in height and weight to Trevor Story. Both infielders stand about 6'1, 180 pounds.
**Edit**
David Dahl reached out to me and wanted to clarify on the current size difference between Forrest Wall and Trevor Story. According to Dahl, Forrest stands at 195 pounds, while his teammate Trevor Story is now up to 210. I was referring to their size at around the same age. But his point still stands.
Hottest Prospects of the Week
Hitters
Name | AVG | BABIP | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | K | SB | OPS | Team |
Tim Wheeler | 0.385 | 0.375 | 13 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1.423 | ALB |
Trevor Story | 0.458 | 0.625 | 24 | 5 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 1.359 | NBR |
Dustin Garneau | 0.429 | 0.400 | 14 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1.357 | ALB |
Randy Reyes | 0.500 | 0.500 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1.250 | ASH |
Tommy Murphy | 0.346 | 0.538 | 26 | 5 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 1.139 | NBR |
Wes Rogers | 0.381 | 0.412 | 21 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 1.119 | ASH |
Ryan McMahon | 0.320 | 0.350 | 25 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1.073 | MOD |
Brandon Barnes | 0.320 | 0.286 | 25 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1.050 | ALB |
Jordan Patterson | 0.286 | 0.333 | 21 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 1.042 | MOD |
Forrest Wall | 0.294 | 0.364 | 17 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 0.956 | ASH |
Pitchers
Name | Outs | IP | W | H | K/9 | BB | GB% | K/9 | WHIP | ERA | Team |
Shane Carle | 21 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 5.1 | 0 | 75.0% | 5.1 | 0.429 | 0.000 | NBR |
John Lannan | 18 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 7.5 | 3 | 72.7% | 7.5 | 1.167 | 0.000 | ALB |
Helmis Rodriguez | 18 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 3.0 | 2 | 64.7% | 3.0 | 1.000 | 0.000 | ASH |
Grahamm Wiest | 15 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 1.8 | 2 | 75.0% | 1.8 | 1.200 | 0.000 | MOD |
Zach Jemiola | 36 | 12 | 2 | 4 | 7.5 | 2 | 59.1% | 7.5 | 0.500 | 0.750 | ASH |
Antonio Senzatela | 23 | 7.2 | 0 | 5 | 7.5 | 2 | 76.2% | 7.5 | 0.972 | 1.170 | MOD |
Tommy Kahnle | 13 | 4.1 | 0 | 2 | 15.4 | 1 | 60.0% | 15.4 | 0.732 | 2.080 | ALB |
Harrison Musgrave | 13 | 4.1 | 0 | 6 | 6.6 | 2 | 60.0% | 6.6 | 1.951 | 2.080 | MOD |
Logan Sawyer | 12 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2.3 | 3 | 84.6% | 2.3 | 1.500 | 2.250 | ASH |
Nelson Gonzalez | 12 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 2.3 | 1 | 55.6% | 2.3 | 1.000 | 2.250 | NBR |
Hottest plays of the week
Kyle Parker hits a bomb for the Rockies first minor league homer of the year.
Dustin Garneau's second homer of the night is a walkoff. Tim Wheeler also hit a walkoff home run this week.
David Dahl showing off his 'power stroke' as the Rock Cats announcer calls his home run.
'Oh my, he got all of that!" exclaimed the Rock Cats announcer on Trevor Story's grand slam.
'That ball is gone, it is way gone!' as described by Rome's announcer on Drew Weeks home run.