Prospects are impressing, Kyle Parker's fading, and Gabe Kapler's on the rise

There's not a ton of Colorado Rockies news out there this morning, which makes sense considering the fact that we're in the middle of that weird point of the not-quite-offseason where the postseason is still happening and things like free agency have yet to begin.

We also hit a lull in the postseason Thursday night, with no scheduled games as the New York Mets have already clinched a spot in the World Series, and the Kansas City Royals and Toronto Blue Jays are going to figure it all out on Friday night.

So here we are in the balance, with some Rockies news for you this morning. Happy Friday!

Dahl, Story lead Rockies' next rising stars -- MiLB.com

Hey, we know the guy who wrote this! Tyler Maun looked at the best of the best in the Rockies' organization, but not from the perspective of prospects or future what-ifs; rather, he took a shot at who just straight up had the best year across the affiliates, regardless of prospect status.

Alex Balog assigned to Australia Baseball League -- MLBPipeline.com/Twitter

Balog just wrapped up a decent season at High-A Modesto and will continue his development this winter (well, their summer) in the Australian Baseball League when he plays for the Sydney Blue Sox. He's also still listed among the Rockies' Top 30 Prospects, according to MLB Pipeline.

Five candidates to replace Don Mattingly as Dodgers' manager -- LA Times

Bill Shaikin takes a look at perhaps the five frontrunners for the Dodgers' gig now that Mattingly is gone; Ron Roenicke is on the list, after managing in Milwaukee up until earlier in 2015 (and then coaching third base for the Dodgers). So is Bud Black, whom I really like and wouldn't mind to see as a future Rockies' manager depending on Colorado's situation in 2017 or whenever.

And then there's Gabe Kapler, the man who appears to be the frontrunner for the job. I feel like he'd be an interesting player's manager. Who do you think the Dodgers will pick to replace Mattingly?

Two Rockies' Rafters in rough waters so far in AFL -- Mile High Sports

This is a pretty clever way to stuff as many water metaphors as you can into one post, while still providing a pretty cogent analysis of the Rockies' successes and shortcomings thus far in the Arizona Fall League.

Also at Mile High Sports, Bryan made an appearance on AM1340 to discuss some hot managerial topics:

Colorado Rockies blown out in Game 1 of 2007 World Series -- Rox Pile

Way back when! Eight years (and two days) ago, the Boston Red Sox demolished the Rockies in Game 1 of the Fall Classic as Andrew Dill writes over on FanSided's Colorado Rockies sports news network. Everything I remember about that game -- really, that series -- was pretty damn disappointing. But I wouldn't mind getting back there soon.

Ranking the Rockies: 38 Kyle Parker -- BSN Denver

Jake Shapiro sets the blog's sights on Kyle Parker's 2015 season, blogging about KP's disappointing season and questionable future in Denver (and maybe in the big leagues, more generally). Shapiro also blogs about Parker's underwhelming statistics and hey, man, no argue from me. David Dahl is coming quickly, right?