Colorado Rockies’ pitching prospect Jack Wynkoop has decided that walking batters is silly and he isn’t going to do it anymore. The Rockies’ sixth round pick in the 2015 draft made his fifth start for the High-A Modesto Nuts on Monday and, like he’s done in 11 other starts this season, did not walk a batter.
The 22-year-old lefty has now walked only eight batters in 123 innings pitched so far in 2016, an astounding 0.58 walks per nine innings. His minuscule walk rate and his 101-to-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio are both the best among all minor league pitchers with at least 50 innings pitched. That’s the good news.
The bad news is that Wynkoop has been working at just 84-86 mph with his fastball. Clearly it’s working for him right now, but as he continues to climb the organizational ladder he’ll most likely need to add some velocity in order to remain effective. Wynkoop is still young, though, so adding velocity is something that’s certainly within the realm of possibility for him. As long as he continues to perform like he is now, Wynkoop is someone worth keeping an eye on.
Here’s the rest of the highlights from Monday’s action on the Rockies’ farm system:
Triple-A: Postponed
The Isotopes will make up today’s game with a doubleheader on Tuesday.
Double-A: Day off
The Yard Goats are back in action on Tuesday afternoon.
High-A: Modesto Nuts 9, Stockton Ports 3
The offensive barrage continued on Monday for the Nuts as they scored nine or more runs for the third consecutive game. Six of Modesto’s nine starters in this one reached base more than once.
Forrest Wall (No. 11 PuRP): 1-for-5, RBI
Omar Carrizales (No. 26 PuRP): 1-for-4, RBI, BB
Jack Wynkoop: 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
Max White: 2-for-5, 2B, HR, 3 RBI
Low-A: Asheville Tourists 4, Lexington Legends 2
Brian Mundell had his 43rd double of the season, by far the most in the minor leagues, as the Tourists got back within a game of .500 with a win over Lexington.
Brendan Rodgers (No. 4 PuRP): 1-for-4, K
Brian Mundell: 1-for-4, 2B, 2 K
Sam Hilliard: 1-for-2, 2 RBI, 2 BB, K, SB
Short-Season A: Salem-Keizer Volcanoes 8, Boise Hawks 7
Boise rallied for three runs in the ninth, but fell just short and dropped to 12-19 on the year. Garrett Hampson racked up three more hits and is now batting .352 on the season.
Garrett Hampson (2016 3rd round pick): 3-for-5, 2B, RBI, K
Ryan Stephens: 2-for-4, RBI, BB
Alec Kenilvort: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K
Rookie: Great Falls Voyagers 4, Grand Junction Rockies 3
The Rockies managed three runs on just three hits and jumped out to an early 3-0 lead. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough, as Great Falls scored four unanswered runs to take home the win.
Pedro Gonzalez (No. 28 PuRP): 0-for-3, K
Jose Gomez: 0-for-4, K
Luis Brito: 1-for-3, HR, RBI, 2 K
J.D. Hammer: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K
DSL: DSL Angels 2, DSL Rockies 0
Three singles were all the DSL Rockies could muster in this one. They’re still having a strong season, however, as they remain eight games above .500.
Jose Grullart: 1-for-2, BB
Shael Mendoza: 1-for-3, SB
Gabriel Estrada: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
Tuesday probables:
Triple-A: Christian Bergman and Chris Rusin
Double-A: Carlos Hernandez
High-A: Ryan Castellani (No. 19 PuRP)
Low-A: Day off
Short-Season A: Michael Zimmerman
Rookie: Yohander Quintana