Wednesday Pebble Report - Brad Emaus and Nolan Arenado Heating Up

Eye On - Brad Emaus - AAA 2B

The Rockies have already called up three second baseman from AAA in the last month - Alfredo Amezaga, Eric Young Jr., and Chris Nelson.  Now, with the recent callups and departure of Josh Fields, the best batting average and OPS in Colorado Springs is second baseman Brad Emaus (2011, trade).  Acquired from Toronto for AA reliever Chris Malone a month ago after being selected by the Mets in the Rule 5 draft, Emaus is quietly building a solid resume in AAA.  Last night, Emaus went 2-for-4 with his sixth home run.  He has never been a huge power guy, but he seldom strikes out and has a solid walk rate.  We might be seeing him in September, if not earlier.

AAA Colorado Springs - L 7-8  (23-30, 4th, 8.0 GB)

Every member of the Sky Sox lineup recorded a hit in Fresno, including starting pitcher Josh Muecke (2010, MiLB FA), who had an eerily similar line as Clayton Mortensen last night.  Brad Jacobs (2011, MiLB FA) and Eliezer Alfonzo (2011, MiLB FA) joined Emaus as Sky Sox who hit home runs as part of their two hits, and #7 PuRP Charlie Blackmon (2008, 2nd round) doubled and singled.  Sean White (2011, MiLB FA) got knocked around for three runs in 0.3 IP, and Andrew Johnston (2005, 9th round) coughed up the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth.

AA Tulsa  Off Day (26-23, t-1st)

The Drillers had an off day to travel home from Frisco.  They open a three game series tonight against the Midland Rock Hounds (Athletics) , with Cory Riordan (2007, 6th round) facing former Rockies prospect Ethan Hollingsworth, who was traded this offseason for last night's start Clayton Mortensen. 

High-A Modesto W 8-4  (21-25, t-4th, 10.0 GB)

The Nuts offense continues to surge, as Modesto tallied at least seven runs for the seventh time in eight games.  Kiel Roling (2008, 6th round) and Kent Matthes (2009, 4th round) hit two run home runs each, and #4 PuRP Nolan Arenado (2009, 2nd round) added a two run double.  Arenado later added an RBI on a forceout that preceded an Angelys Nina sac fly.  

Parker Frazier (2007, 8th round) allowed worked around 12 baserunners in 5.2 IP to allow just three earned runs, and reliever Coty Woods (2009, 33rd round) lowered his ERA to 0.96 with 2.1 scoreless innings, including six punchouts.

Low-A Asheville W 4-2 (23-28, 4th, 5.0 GB)

It is next to impossible to win a game with two hits, but the Tourists managed to do so.  Their first hit came with a leadoff double by Cristhian Adames (2008, DR FA) in the first.  He would be stranded.  In the fifth, Asheville scored one run, thanks to two walks, a bunt and a #10 PuRP Rafael Ortega (2008, VZ FA) sacrifice fly.  Trailing 2-1 in the ninth inning, the Tourists worked two walks, and then Dustin Garneau (2009, 19th round) clocked Asheville second of two hits on the day, a three run home run.  It was the only hit on the day that figured into Asheville's runs.

Erik Stavert (2009, 7th round) worked seven strong innings, allowing both runs to the Greenville Drive.  Bruce Kern (2010, 23rd round) worked the last two innings for the win.

DSL Rockies W 8-4  (3-0, 1st)

The Rockies are just one of three teams in the 33 team Dominican Summer League to start the season 3-0.  Leading the way was second baseman Cesar Galvez (2009, DR FA), who will turn 20 next month, with two singles, a double, two walks and two runs scored out of the leadoff spot.  He has started 4-for-7 with three walks on the season after hitting .199/.276/.241 in 197 PA in the DSL last season..  Third baseman Jose de la Cruz (19 next week) singled twice, stole a base twice and scored twice, and Cristian Quintin (2010, DR FA, 17yo) tripled home a pair of runs.  Seventeen-year-old right-hander Joel Payamps (2010, DR) made a solid DSL debut, going five innings, allowing one run on four hits and one walk with eight strike outs.  He did hit two batters and throw a wild pitch.  Payamps got the largest bonus of any international signing with the Rockies in 2010.