Thursday Pebble Report: Corey Dickerson and Kyle Parker Continue to Do Amazing Things

AAA Colorado Springs - L 8-11, (48-48, L2, t-2nd, 9.0 GB)

The Sky Sox gave Alex White (2011, trade) a 6-1 lead in the third inning, but he couldn't hold it. White ended up allowing 8 runs (6 earned) in six innings, walking two, striking out three and unleashing a wild pitch. He did induce 14 ground-ball outs though. He has struck out 14 and walked 12 in 21 innings since his demotion. Brandon Wood (2012, MiLB FA) hit a 3-run homer and drove in four and Brandon Roberts (2012, MiLB FA) tripled, singled and scored twice. Brendan Harris joined the party with a double. Harris and Wood also combined for three errors.

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AA Tulsa - W 6-5, (12-13, W2, t-2nd, 4.5 GB)

The Drillers notched single tallies in each of the first five innings to build a 5-1 lead. Two of those came on solo home runs by Ben Paulsen (2009, 3rd round) and #25 PuRP Kent Matthes (2009, 4th round). Matthes is still hitting just .207, but his July has shown some life, as he has lowered his K% to 19.4% this month while hitting .255 with 6 home runs in 17 games. #1 PuRP Nolan Arenado (2009, 2nd round) had a good game at long last, stroking a double, triple and taking a walk.

Dan Houston allowed three runs (two earned) in six solid innings, then Springfield pulled to within a run with a 7th inning run off Joe Torres (2012, MiLB FA). #14 PuRP Corey Dickerson (2010, 8th round), who had doubled and scored to lead off the game, hit a solo home run for much-needed insurance. Josh Sullivan (2005, 5th round) allowed a run in the ninth but recorded the save. Dickerson's move to the leadoff role is interesting. With Josh Rutledge (2010, 3rd round) promoted, Tulsa lost their leadoff hitter. Dickerson's slugging profile doesn't fit the prototypical leadoff role, and while there are no obvious choices for that spot, one has to wonder if the Rockies putting him there to maximize his plate appearances. At any rate, the Rockies seem to be intrigued, and so should you be. His .290 average leads the Tourists, and his .878 OPS in the Texas League is very impressive.

Only Oscar Taveras, Mike Olt and Jonathan Singleton have higher OPS' for the season than Dickerson's .878. Granted, Dickerson has played just 33 games, but that's impressive company.

High-A Modesto - W 8-1 (16-11, W2, 1st)

Every member of the Nuts' lineup got a hit last night, with the three most interesting prospects getting at least one. #10 PuRP Kyle Parker (2010, 1st round) doubled, walked, singled twice and drove in three, this time at the pitcher friendly park in home-town Modesto. That's a nice little 15-for-21 with one HR, 3 doubles, four walks, four RBIs and just one strikeout in his last five games. Parker's statline watch now is nearing that special ratio: .319/.430/.496. He now ranks 7th in the California League in average, 2nd in OBP and 7th in OPS. #12 PuRP Rafael Ortega (2008, DR) and #20 PuRP Cristhian Adames (2007, DR) also singled twice.

Juan Gonzalez (2006, VZ) tossed four shutout innings, then Roberto Padilla (2011, 8th round) worked around six hits to record 3.2 scoreless. Visalia didn't score until the ninth inning, when Kraig Sitton gave up a single tally on three hits. The win gives Modesto a half game lead for the second half division crown.

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Low-A Asheville - Off Day (15-11, W2, t-1st)

The Tourists were off yesterday to travel home from Rome (Georgia, not Italy).

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Short-Season A Tri City - L 5-7, (14-19, L3, 2nd, 6.0 GB)

Josh Slaats (2010, 5th round) gave up five runs for the second consecutive start, though this time he couldn't get out of the third inning. Control has been his bugaboo of late, as he walked five in each of his last two starts. Jarod Berggren came off the bench and poked two hits, including his first professional home run. Tom Murphy (2012, 3rd round) tripled and singled, and Francisco Sosa (2007, DR) collected three base knocks. The loss concluded a three game sweep in Spokane, nine days after the Dust Devils swept the Indians in Pasco.

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Rookie Grand Junction - Off Day (14-15, W1, t-2nd, 3.0 GB)

The Rockies got to travel home yesterday after a week in Montana. They will now host Missoula and Billings over the next week. Be on the lookout for Jayson Aquino, who has not pitched in the DSL since July 12, just days after we heard he would be promoted to Grand Junction "soon." He will likely start on this homestand.

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DSL Rockies - L 6-8, (22-17, L2, 2nd, 1.0 GB)

Opening Day starter Joel Payamps (2010, DR) got hit around in this one, allowing a career high 5 runs on 5 hits while recording just 4 outs. He walked two, hit a batter and threw two wild pitches. That's pretty much ineffectively wild. Yonathan Daza, Miguel Dilone and Henry Garcia all doubled in the loss.