Colorado Rockies prospects: Rodgers’ hit streak at 10 games, Thomas walks off

Brendan Rodgers, the number 3 overall pick in the 2015 draft, may have gotten his season off to a late start, but it hasn’t been a slow start. Last night, his 3 hits paced the Lancaster JetHawks to a 7-2 win over the Stockton Ports. Rodgers has a hit in ten consecutive games, raising his average to an even .400.

Last night’s performance featured a pair of doubles, both hit off of A.J. Puk, who was considered a candidate for last year’s top overall draft selection (he was taken sixth overall by the Athletics). Even though Rodgers now faces the tougher competition in the California League, he has managed to lower his strikeout rate while experiencing an uptick in power production.

Rodgers (as would be expected of the team’s top prospect) is a major name to watch this season. A strong season could lead to a mid-season promotion to Double-A, making a 2018 MLB debut possible.

In news that should bring a measure of joy to Connor, Dillon Thomas (Connor’s “My Dude” award winner) hit a walk-off two-run home run for the Yard Goats, giving them a 3-1 win over the Erie SeaWolves. The Goats scored all 3 runs in the bottom of the ninth, after allowing the SeaWolves to score in the top of the inning. Ashley Graeter reached base (and advanced to second) on an error by the right fielder. Ryan McMahon then hit an RBI single to tie the game, but was thrown out trying to stretch it to a double. After another error, this time by the first baseman, allowed Drew Weeks to reach base, Thomas blasted his second home run of the season, a monster shot to right field.

The Isotopes, now lacking their primary offensive threat in Raimel Tapia, fell to the Nashville Sounds, 3-1. With the callup of Jeff Hoffman, the Rockies needed a fresh arm to make the start, so they signed Thad Weber to a minors deal earlier this week. Carlos Estevez pitched the 8th inning, allowing a hit but striking out three batters. With the Jordan Lyles struggling at the MLB level, it’s likely that Estevez returns to the Rockies fairly soon. Tony Wolters made his first rehab appearance, going 0-for-3 with a strikeout.

Top 30 Purple Row Prospects (PuRPs)

Game Recaps:

Triple-A: Nashville Sounds 3, Albuequerque Isotopes 1

Carlos Estevez: 1 IP, 1 H, 3 K

Jordan Patterson (No. 13 PuRP): 0-for-4, R, 2 K

Tony Wolters: 0-for-3, K

Double-A: Hartford Yard Goats 3, Erie SeaWolves 1

Ryan McMahon (No. 7 PuRP): 1-for-4, RBI

Dillon Thomas (Connor’s “My Dude”): 1-for-4, R, HR, 2 RBI

Jack Wynkoop (PuRP HM): 8 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 4 K

High-A: Lancaster JetHawks 7, Stockton Ports 2

Brendan Rodgers (No. 1 PuRP): 3-for-4, R, 2 2B, 2 RBI

Garrett Hampson (No. 22 PuRP): 2-for-4, 2 R, 2 2B, 2 RB

Brian Mundell (PuRP HM): 1-for-4, 2B

Low-A: Asheville Tourists vs. West Virginia Power: Cancelled (Rain)

(The game will not be made up)

Saturday probables:

Triple-A: Ryan Carpenter

Double-A: Konnor Wade

High-A: Trey Killian

Low-A: TBD