Rodgers continues torrid stretch for ‘Topes | MiLB.com
After a slow start to his Triple-A career, Brendan Rodgers has once again begun to play like the elite prospect we all know him to be. Our friend Tyler Maun has the details in this article from Minor League Baseball, and as Brendan continues to mash the ball it raises the question: when will he be called up to the Rockies, and how good will he be?
It is a meta question that, honestly, we’ve been asking for awhile now. But suddenly, it feels much more real and impactful. As Maun points out, Rodgers had mastered the lower minor league levels with relative ease but struggled in the Pacific Coast League. Now, though, he is relaxed again, has a disciplined approach at the plate, and shrugged off the burden and expectation of being a number one prospect who is near a call-up to his major league club.
In an injury plagued Triple-A debut last year, Rodgers only hit .232/.264/.290 in 19 games. In his first 14 games this year, he hit .245/.339/.396. Whether it was physical injury or a mental burden, Brendan has turned the corner and is slashing a whopping .439/.484/.807 in the past 14 games. He is the Brendan Rodgers we have all gotten to know and are eager to see at Coors Field making an impact for the Rockies. At this rate, it won’t be long...
Colorado Rockies: Charlie Blackmon’s early statistical anomaly | Rox Pile
Aaron Hurt of Rox Pile takes a look at one of the more... odd statistical trends of the Rockies young season. The game of baseball is so based on numbers and data, it seems as though there is always some interesting analysis hiding in the rough, but this one is hard to understand. As Aaron points out, the Rockies have been much better this year when Charlie Blackmon has been less impactful.
Maybe more on point is how good Charlie has been when the Rockies lose. It’s not to say he has been bad when the Rockies win, but he has been much better when the Rockies are playing from behind or losing games. In the 15 games the Rockies won entering Sunday, Chuck hit .275. In their 19 losses, that figure jumps to .310. What gives?
Simply put (by Aaron), it is just an anomaly. Perhaps Blackmon has something in his skill set that elevates when the Rockies need him most, keeping his team in the game, battling, fighting, “kicking and screaming.” It is likely just a coincidence, however, and by year’s end it will all even out. More importantly, Chuck is hitting again in both wins and losses, and looks to be a spark plug this team needs to climb back into the division race.
The Colorado Rockies and baseball’s Three True Outcomes | Rocky Mountain Baseball
Bryan Kilpatrick, as many of you know, is fairly progressive in his baseball opinions—so why is he being an old man yelling at clouds when it comes to the state of baseball and its trend toward three true outcomes? Well, you can read for yourself—it is well thought out and almost convincing—but essentially, Bryan likes chaos.
Okay, that might be exaggerated. Bryan is a fan of action, players putting it all on the line to get leather on ball, leaping, running, and defensive wizardry. For instance, Bryan was almost mad about Raimel Tapia almost hitting a grand slam in yesterday’s Rockies game, and instead was pleased with a bases clearing triple.
He’s right, though. Home runs, walks, and strikeouts are all increasing, and the excitement of wondering if a double might be a triple, or if Nolan will make a leaping grab, or if Story might steal a base beneath a sweeping tag, etc., are all down. We could all use a little more excitement in our lives, Bryan says, and the three true outcomes are taking that away from us.
Slow and steady Rox turn fast and furious | MLB.com
Speaking of Raimel Tapia and his bases clearing triple, Thomas Harding has the breakdown and analysis in this recap and analysis, including the revelation—for some?—that Raimel has elite sprint speed con mucho swagger. Yesterday’s game-tying triple saw Raimel round the bases at a 29.9 ft/sec. clip. That elite speed combined with a now .271/.319/.565 slashline just shows how powerful of a tool Tapia can be in this lineup, and how badly he needs to be starting above Ian Desmond now.
P.S. How about Raimel Tapia continuing to bust Archie Bradley’s chops? Can’t help but to enjoy watching that happen, eh?
On the farm
Colton Welker and Rico Garcia had big days for the Yard Goats in a blowout victory. Welker had three hits, including a double, scored a run and knocked one in, and even had a stolen base. Rico continued his torrid start and pitched seven innings of one run ball while giving up only three hits and striking out seven batters.
In Asheville, Riley Pint and Mike Nikorak both pitched a scoreless inning and struck out two batters. It was especially a nice change of pace for Pint who has literally barely been able to throw strikes lately. He still walked two batters, but getting out of the inning without giving up a run speaks volumes for him right now. Let’s hope they both keep it rolling.
Triple-A: Tacoma Rainiers 7, Albuquerque Isotopes 0 | MiLB.com
Double-A: Hartford Yard Goats 7, New Hampshire Fisher Cats 1 | MiLB.com
High-A: Lake Elsinore Storm 8, Lancaster JetHawks 0 | MiLB.com
Low-A: Delmarva Shorebirds 10, Asheville Tourists 9 | MiLB.com