The Rockies top prospects had a quiet Saturday night. Ryan McMahon singled for once but didn’t do anything else. Raimel Tapia didn’t play. Ryan Castellani started for the Yard Goats and got knocked around a bit, allowing five runs in five innings. But that’s just a game in his progression. Brendan Rodgers knocked a couple singles, too. Perhaps the most notable performance last night came from someone who hasn’t appeared on a PuRPs list yet, but who is starting off hot in Lancaster: Sam Hilliard.
Hilliard went 3-for-3 with a home run in the JetHawks’ win last night. The game raised his season line to .376/.439/.548. While he does play in an environment extremely friendly to hitters, it still adjusts to be much better than average. He is, however, carrying a crazy-high .457 BABIP right now.
The Rockies drafted Hilliard in the 15th round of the 2015 draft out of Wichita State. Hilliard is a left-handed outfielder, further demonstrating that the Rockies do indeed have a type. The 23 years old and is currently playing against competition around the same age as him in Lancaster (random aside: Hilliard is only 16 months younger than Bryce Harper).
If Hilliard continues on the path he’s currently on, he could develop into a role player in the mold of what Jordan Patterson might be but still hasn’t actually become.
Albuquerque 11, Las Vegas 5 | MiLB.com Box
Raimel Tapia (No. 4 PuRP): did not play
Jordan Patterson (No. 13 PuRP): 2-5, 2 K
Mike Tauchman, 3-3, 2B, BB
Sam Moll (No. 28 PuRP): 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K
Hartford 6, Harrisburg 5 | MiLB.com Box
Ryan McMahon (No. 7 PuRP): 1-4, K
Ryan Castellani (No. 9 PuRP): 5 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 3 BB, 3 K
James Farris, 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K
Lancaster 4, Visalia 2 | MiLB.com Box
Brendan Rodgers (No. 1 PuRP): 2-5
Garrett Hampson (No. 23 PuRP): 1-4, BB, 2 K
Sam Hilliard: 3-3, HR
Craig Schlitter, 7 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 5 K
Kannapolis 7, Asheville 6 | MiLB.com Box
Colton Welker (No. 19 PuRP): 1-5, K
Willie Abreu, 1-4, BB
Vince Fernandez, 3-4, BB, K
Today’s probables
Triple-A Albuquerque: Ryan Carpenter
Double-A Hartford: Jack Wynkoop
Class A Advanced Lancaster: Trey Killian
Class A Asheville: Alejandro Requena