Colorado Rockies prospects: Pitchers German Marquez, Yency Almonte highlight flurry of minor league promotions

The Colorado Rockies have promoted right-handed pitcher and No. 7 PuRP German Marquez from the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats to the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes, according to Josh Norris of Baseball America. In 21 starts for the Yard Goats, Marquez went 9-6 with with a 2.85 ERA, walking 33 while striking out 126 in 135.2 inning, good for a WHIP of 1.157. Marquez was acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays last offseason as part of the deal that sent Corey Dickerson to the Rays.

In Albuquerque, Marquez will join Jeff Hoffman (No. 3 PuRP), Kyle Freeland (No. 9 PuRP), and Eddie Butler in the Isotopes rotation. As things currently stand, the Isotopes are 48-64 and 14 games back in their division.

In addition to Marquez moving up, the organization has also promoted pitcher Yency Almonte (No. 18 PuRP) as well as outfielders Wilson Soriano and Omar Carrizales from High-A Modesto to Hartford.

Almonte, who was acquired from the Chicago White Sox last offseason for Tommy Kahnle, has been outstanding for the Modesto Nuts all season, going 8-9 with a 3.71 ERA in 22 starts, striking out 134, walking 39 and recording a WHIP of 1.178 in 138.1 innings.

Omar Carrizales, who has primarily played centerfield for the Nuts, is hitting .294/.336/.428 with six home runs and 32 RBI in 96 games, hitting mostly out of the lead off spot. Soriano, who was repeating in Modesto, has been on and off the disabled list all season. Appearing in only 22 games, he hit .178/.211/.192 with two RBI. Last season for the Nuts, he hit .266/.286/.288 with 21 RBI.

In order to help fill the sudden void in Modesto’s outfield, the team promoted 24-year old Ryan Stephens from Short-Season A Boise. Stephens, who is hitting .226/.254/.258 with eight RBI in 16 games so far this season, his second in the system.

With Modesto losing two outfielders and the Yard Goats adding three players, we can most likely expect another promotion to both Modesto and Albuquerque in the coming days, so keep an eye out for that.