It doesn't seem right not to have something new up at Purple Row on a July evening does it?  Hankering for some Rockies scoop, are ya?  We have you covered.

Before last night's Rookie level Casper Ghosts game, Rockies senior director of international scouting Rolando Fernandez sat down for a five-minute radio interview with Casper Ghosts play-by-play man Adam Spolane on AM 1400 ESPN.  Mr. Spolane was gracious enough to grant me audio of that interview to share.  

For those uninitiated, Fernandez is responsible for signing some of the biggest names in the organization - Ubaldo Jimenez, Jhoulys Chacin, Esmil Rogers, Franklin Morales, Manuel Corpas and the hot prospect down in Casper right now, shortstop Rosell Herrera.  Fernandez talked with Spolane about Herrera, as well as Julian Yan and a couple longer tenured players in Casper - Jose Rivera and the Aussie David Kandilas.

Rolando Fernandez Interview

A very big thank you to Adam Spolane, who you can follow on twitter.  He is in his third year calling games for the Ghosts, though this is his first calling the home games.

The Rockies’ twittersphere was abuzz this evening after Jake Etkin posted this article at Inside the Rockies on Matzek and his return to the Asheville rotation Wednesday evening. The crux of the Matzek story over the last month has not been the unconventional approach of sending a player outside the system to get help, but to send a prized (and expensive) prospect home to work with an instructor steeped in teachings that counter baseball conventional wisdom. While Etkin’s article was heavy in Marshall verbiage and technique, it’s important to try and scale this back and see just what you need to take out of it as it relates to Matzek and his new mechanics.

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Triple-A would seen to be the place to find the prospects to care about, the ones that are close to the majors with a solid track record.  The ones that will soon be having their jerseys on sale in stores.  This year's Sky Sox team does not fit that billing.

With poor drafts in 2006 and 2007, the upper level of the Rockies' farm system is relatively barren 4/5 years later.  In fact, not a single member of those two draft classes are on the Sky Sox roster right now.  Colorado Springs is not the place to see many future big league stars.  Instead, you are more likely to find veteran big leaguers trying to get back to the show.

On the Opening Day roster, there were four starting pitchers, four relievers, one catcher, four infielders and two outfielders with MLB experience with other teams.  Each of those listed came to the Rockies as a minor league free agent this offseason, with the exception of Clayton Mortensen (trade) and Josh Muecke, who signed as a free agent before 2010.   That is 14 of 25 spots in AAA that was filled from other organizations.

It isn't all a lost cause though.  Two top ten prospects will be starting in AAA in 2011, with four others at least worth monitoring.

Charles Blackmon - OF

24 yo - 2008 2nd rounder - #7 PuRP - Unranked Baseball America - #7 Baseball Prospectus

Looking for a true weakness in Blackmon's game would be frustrating.  He has good contact skills, decent power, a plus runner, solid defensive range and an above average outfield arm.  A former pitcher focused solely on hitting for the first time when drafted less than three years ago, his progression has been notable.  He could be a 20-20 guy if he got an everyday job.  While his 2010 numbers in AA aren't otherworldly (.297/.358/.484), one must consider he accomplished that while slowed with hamstring problems, and he had a relatively low BABIP (.314) compared to a fantastic line drive rate (23%).  Fangraphs Carson Cistuli has been on record for months as loving Blackmon, even saying he will be a better pro than Brandon Belt.  The biggest hurdle for Blackmon is where he will play.  If he can stick defensively in center, his game plays perfectly in the mold of a Steve Finley.  If not (and Fowler is a decent block there), the concern is he doesn't have enough power to be a starting corner outfielder.   He may not be a star, but he could sneak up on some people as a solid pro.

Rex Brothers - LH RP

23 yo - 2009 sandwich pick - #12 PuRP - #7 Baseball America - #8 Baseball Prospectus

As a reward for wisely turning down a rich free agent contract to departed closer Brian Fuentes, the Rockies received a high (#34) compensation sandwich pick in the 2009 draft.  With it, they selected Brothers, who one mock draft had going to the Rockies even as high as their #11 selection that year.  He has been the fast track as a late inning reliever since and has the best stuff of any reliever in the system.  He has a plus fastball reaching the mid-90's with movement and touches 98, then uses a devastating slider.  He has struggled mightily with his control, but if the improvement he showed in Spring Training holds, he has closer written all over him.  He will be in the big league bullpen sometime this season.

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In the entire Rockies organization (one major league team and seven minor league teams), one one squad managed to reach the postseason in 2010.  That was not the Tulsa Drillers.  So why is that relevant?  Because that team was the High-A Modesto Nuts, one level below Tulsa.  Many of the prominent players on that Nuts squad (Nicasio, Wheeler, Paulsen, Field, Scahill etc) have graduated to AA, making the Drillers an interesting team to watch in 2011 solely from that angle.

Home of disappointing draft picks from the lean draft years (2006-2007) combined with some of the better prospects from more recent drafts (2008-2009), Tulsa will be an intriguing mix of talent.  Many of the players on twitter have been buzzing for weeks about how "stacked" the Drillers will be.  

Because of two injured players, Tulsa's roster got even more powerful.  Wilin Rosario, who some have ranked as Colorado's top overall prospect, returns to Tulsa in 2011 after a monster year there last season.  If not for tearing his ACL last August, he would likely be in Colorado Springs (and might be quite soon anyway).  Christian Friedrich, thought of by some as the Rockies top overall prospect a year ago, suffered elbow injuries in 2010, and the Rockies have decided to return him to Tulsa to start the season.

The result is a healthy mix of top end talent, potentially emerging prospects, and high bill guys who could make waves if they just remain healthy.  Behind Asheville, I'll be keeping an eye on Tulsa more than any minor league team this season.  You can too, by reading our Pebble Reports (daily starting tomorrow), checking TulsaDrillers.com and/or following David Oh No on twitter, Tulsa resident and former Purple Row writer.

Wilin Rosario - C

22 yo - DR FA - #2 PuRP - #2 Baseball America (team) - #49 Baseball America (league) - #2 Baseball Prospectus

Rosario had arguably the most eye-opening seasons in the Rockies' system in 2010.  The Rockies' brass knew he was capable of a breakout (they skipped him from Casper to Modesto the season prior), but his production mirrored their dreams more than their expectations.  He hit .285/.342/.552 in AA Tulsa last season, clocking 19 home runs, significant in that no Tulsa Driller had hit 19 home runs while under the age of 24.  He receives the ball well behind the plate and has one of the better throwing arms in the minors.  He suffered a torn ACL in August, ruining his chances to compete for an MLB job this spring, but his recovery has been ahead of schedule and he will start regularly in Tulsa.  He will almost certainly get a September call-up and compete for a big league role in 2012.  What that role is may depend on Chris Iannetta.

Christian Friedrich - LH SP

23 yo - 2008 1st rounder - #3 PuRP - #4 Baseball America - #4 Baseball Prospectus

Friedrich was on the fast track to the majors after striking out 12 per 9 while posting a 2.41 ERA in 22 starts between Asheville and Modesto in 2009.  But his 2010 season could only be described as a disaster.  He suffered from chronic elbow soreness that never went away, and suddenly, he was very hittable.  His 2010 ERA finished above five.  Many are concerned his chronic soreness is a harbinger for prolonged durability issues, and his stock has dropped dramatically, to the point some are suggesting his future might eventually be in relief.  His health is such a concern that his prospect status would rebound more with a healthy season and inferior stats than strong stats and several DL stints.  When he's right, he has an above average fastball and a wicked curveball.  Friedrich's durability will be an important storyline in 2011.  He started 2011 well, as he tossed six scoreless innings against the parent club last week.  He gets his first start of the season tomorrow.  On twitter

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In some respects, the Modesto Nuts will be getting more attention than any Rockies' affiliate in 2011. After all, the California League team will have in uniform the Rockies' top prospect and one of the top left-handed pitching prospects in baseball: Tyler Matzek. On the offensive side, Nolan Arenado represents arguably the best hitting prospect in the system. Chad Bettis is one of the more intriguing draft choices from 2010, and he will be in Modesto.

But after that, the roster gets light. Much of the rest of the Nuts roster is made up of minor leaguers who need to take significant steps forward to reach the prospect status. Read below to get acquainted with your High-A affiliate of the Rockies.

Tyler Matzek - LH SP

20 yo - 2009 1st rounder - #1 PuRP - #1 Baseball America (Rockies) - #32 Baseball America (overall) - #1 Baseball Prospectus

Matzek has a lot of good things going for him. He's the consensus #1 Rockies prospect, owner of the franchise's richest bonus, and maintains big league ace potential. He rode a low-to-mid 90's fastball, solid curve and better slider to a 2.92 ERA while striking out 88 in 89.1 innings in Asheville last season, his first pro campaign. He was borderline unhittable, as he gave up just 62 hits all season. Unfortunately, he also walked 62 batters. Moreover, several sources have indicated he has lost around 5mph on his fastball this spring and last fall, sources that range from Keith Law to Jason Grey to Mike Newman to Adam Foster. That level of velocity loss could kill his potential. It isn't advisable to panic at the moment, as the Rockies have had him working extensively on his mechanics and change-up at the expense of results. Some in the Rockies organization even wanted him to return to Asheville to continue that work. If his velocity remains low this season, his prospect stock will take a hit, so he will be an interesting guy to watch in 2011. On Twitter.

Nolan Arenado - 3B

20 yo - 2009 2nd rounder - #4 PuRP - #3 Baseball America (Rockies) - #80 Baseball America (overall) - #3 Baseball Prospectus

Still just 19 years old for 11 more days, Arenado is the best pure hitter in the Rockies' system. He hit 12 HR in Asheville last season, a great park for hitters, yet the dozen dingers might still undershoot the power he could potentially develop. He has a strong arm, good hands, and plate coverage much better than most his age. However, he's a very slow runner, doesn't have great range and did not produce with the bat away from McCormick Field. He might eventually move across the diamond to first base, but for now, he is holding his own at third.

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If you are thinking about a minor league team to keep an eye on in the organization this season, the Tourists are the club to watch.  If you want to follow the next Matt Holliday before your buddies know of him, follow the Asheville blurbs in this season's Pebble Reports.  This year's Tourists team is stacked.

David Oh No provided a guest column in August, calling the 2011 Tourists "Colorado's next destination team."  Since then, the roster has been finalized for Asheville's Opening Day, this Thursday evening at Hickory.  Two names will be very familiar to those in the Asheville area.  

Just ninety miles south of the North Carolina town in Clemson, South Carolina, Kyle Parker led the Clemson offense as quarterback the past three seasons.  North Carolina State's quarterback in that time was Russell Wilson, who will be Asheville's second baseman.  

But there is far more than a couple of quarterbacks to watch.  I'll highlight the whole roster below, detailing those most likely to be future studs with the Rockies.

Kyle Parker - RF

21 yo- 2010 1st rounder - #9 PuRP - #6 Baseball America - #5 Baseball Prospectus

After finishing out his college football career at Clemson, Parker is now 100% committed to baseball for the first time in his athletic life.  The broad-shouldered former quarterback carries "plus to plus-plus power" and yields widespread comparisons to Matt Holliday.  He has yet to play a game in the Rockies' organization and hadn't seen live pitching in almost a year when he reported to Scottsdale in March.  Consequently, it may take a little bit for him to get into the swing of things, but he should be able to do some serious damage at McCormick Field when he does.  His defense has graded out no better than average, but he has to potential to improve upon that by focusing on baseball, both mentally and physically.  You can follow him on twitter here.

Peter Tago - RH SP

18 yo - 2010 Sandwich pick - #6 PuRP - #5 Baseball America - #6 Baseball Prospectus

Tago is actually not on the Opening Day roster for Asheville, but he will be there soon.  Like Tyler Matzek in 2010, Tago signed late as a high school pitcher and did not pitch in a minor league game in his draft year.  Like Matzek, he will be in extended spring training to keep his innings load down this season.  The lanky Californian native has a live fastball with movement from 91-95mph.   For reason to be excited about him, watch this.  To follow him on twitter, go here.

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If you like prospects, this is your week.  Baseball America will release their annual prospect ranking for the Rockies tomorrow, and Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus released his prospect list early this morning.  The article is for subscribers, but the top 20 list is visible without a subscription.

Goldstein's overview was certainly glowing of the system, which is buoyed by the #1 ranked draft in 2009 and #4 ranked draft in 2010 (as ranked by Baseball America) in addition to the ever strong Latin pipeline.

It's a well-rounded, solid system. The only two weaknesses are a lack of up-the-middle talent and health issues... In the always competitive National League West, the Rockies have the best combination of prospects and young talent to ensure they'll consistently be toward the top of the standings. This is an impressive collection.

Obviously, those are words Rockies fans would like to hear.  Below is Goldstein's top 20 list as compared to the most recent rankings by the Purple Row community in September.

The lists are actually remarkably similar, as 18 names appear on both lists.  The four players not agreed upon were Casper SS Christian Adames and Tri-City 2B Russell Wilson on the BP list, and Casper OF Corey Dickerson and Modesto OF Tim Wheeler from the PuRPs list.

The most obvious trend is that BP values potential much more than Purple Row.  That is not surprising, as most our voters tend to value names they are more familiar with and/or are closer to the big leagues.  This is particularly evident in the level of disagreement on Chris Nelson's ranking.  I'll divulge a sampling of Goldstein's specific insider info after the jump.

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He is just nineteen years old and has pitched in the Colorado Rockies' minor league system less than one full season.  Despite learning to use his change-up more in 2010, this young starting pitcher has already won accolades from Baseball America and is a known name among talent evaluators.  I could be talking about 2009 first round pick Tyler Matzek, who owns the highest signing bonus in franchise history.  But I'm referring to Albert Campos, who is relatively unknown among Rockies fans, though he shouldn't be for long.

The Rockies have somehow quietly developed a dominant Latin American prospect pipeline for pitchers.   The big league rotation in 2011 will be 60% filled directly by the program, with Ubaldo Jimenez coming from the Domincan Republic, Jhoulys Chacin from Venezuela and Jason Hammel arriving in a trade for Dominican prospect Aneury Rodriguez.  Campos, a Venezuelan, is a prime candidate to lead the next wave into Coors Field.

The Rockies signed Campos in July 2007, netting one of the organization's top international targets of the year.  Unfortunately, they missed out on their other top target, Rangers prospect Martin Perez, who was actually six slots higher than Tyler Matzek in Baseball America's top 100 prospects this spring.  Perez demanded a pretty penny, and the Rockies nabbed Campos with a better bargain ($165k, approximately half of the bonus the Rockies gave to Francisco Sosa and one third that of Christhian Adames).

The big right-hander (6'4", 222) spent 2008-09 in the Dominican leagues predominantly as a reliever, flashing potential but not quite taking headlines.  His 2010 campaign changed everything, as he won the Rookie League Pioneer League Pitcher of the Year Award with a 4-4 record while leading the league in ERA (2.05), innings pitched  (88.0), WHIP (1.10) and opponent average (.244).  

The Pioneer League hosts not only some of the most offensive ballparks in the country, but numerous teams (notably the Los Angeles Dodgers) actually place their short-season A-ball teams in the Pioneer League.  Campos achieved those statistics against older, more experienced hitters in unkind ballparks.

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