The Colorado Rockies are winning because of young talent | Rox Pile
It appears the future may be now for the Colorado Rockies. It’s been a tough start to the careers of David Dahl, Ryan McMahon and Raimel Tapia, who had been treated as either bench bats or deemed not ready for MLB action despite struggling veterans playing above them over the past few years. Along with Brendan Rodgers, all young talents appear to have been thrust into at least semi-regular playing time.
It should be noted that one of McMahon and Rodgers typically end up taking a back seat to allow Daniel Murphy or Mark Reynolds to enter the lineup on most nights, which presents a curious situation as a platoon doesn’t work well given McMahon’s reverse splits. There hasn’t been much of an opportunity for a playing time crunch in the outfield with Charlie Blackmon on the injured list at present, so we’ll have to see if Ian Desmond ends up supplanting either Tapia or Dahl when the time comes.
At Rox Pile, Luke Mullins gives his thoughts on what the young Rockies have to do with a rebound from a 3-12 start to the season.
‘18 Cy contender Freeland optioned to Triple-A | MLB.com
The biggest news from Friday was Rockies’ Opening Day starter Kyle Freeland being optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque. The decision was made collectively by Manager Bud Black “and the staff,” writes Thomas Harding of MLB.com. Jon Gray went through a similar demotion in 2018 and he offered his thoughts, which were largely a vote of confidence in Freeland and a reminder not to make his demotion “a bigger deal than it is.”
From independent ball to a step from the majors again, Tim Melville’s pitching well in Triple-A | The Denver Post ($)
Early in May, the Rockies signed starting pitcher Tim Melville and reliver Pat Dean, who had both been pitching in independent ball to begin the season. The Rockies could use some rotation help and Melville’s numbers with the Albuquerque Isotopes have been impressive, as Kyle Newman of The Denver Post writes. Melville has logged a 3.43 ERA in four starts, with 21 strikeouts in 21 innings of work. Melville had previously pitched in the majors in 2016 and 2017 as a member of the Cincinnati Reds, Minnesota Twins and Baltimore Orioles, but did not have success in limited action.
On the Farm
PuRP number 11 Sam Hilliard went 3-for-4 with a home run for the Isotopes. Other PuRPs to homer include Grant Lavigne (6), Josh Fuentes (16), Brian Mundell (29), and Willie Abreu (HM). It was a high scoring night out on the farm.
Triple-A: Albuquerque Isotopes 9, Reno Aces 2 | MiLB.com
Double-A: Hartford Yard Goats 2, Bowie Baysox 1 | MiLB.com