Rockies prospect Bret Boswell hits three home runs in return from IL

Hartford Yard Goats second baseman Bret Boswell (no. 28 PuRP) was activated off of the Injured List on June 20 and came back swinging — literally. In his first game back, he went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts, but then went 4-for-10 with three home runs in his next three games. His other hit was a single. The 2017 eighth rounder made the Opening Day roster for the Yard Goats in his first season in Hartford and so far has struggled, but maybe this is the start of a turnaround for the 24-year-old infielder.

Top 30 PuRPs

Triple-A: Albuquerque Isotopes, 1-5 (32-44)

Ben Bowden (no. 17 PuRP) and Rico Garcia (no. 20 PuRP) were both promoted to Albuquerque this week. Garcia made his debut on June 21 and pitched five innings of one run ball, but the Isotopes ended up falling 5-1 to the Reno Aces (AAA Diamondbacks) after the Isotopes’ bullpen faltered. Bowden pitched a scoreless inning the next day, but the Isotopes lost to the Aces 1-0 in a pitching duel between Pat Dean and Alex Young.

Double-A: Hartford Yard Goats, 2-4 (39-33)

Colton Welker (no. 2 PuRP) was selected to represent Hartford in the 2019 Eastern League All-Star Game in July, alongside IF Alan Trejo, RHP Logan Cozart, and RHP Alexander Guillen. He had a 3-for-19 week with a home run, but on the season is batting .272/.325/.452 with eight home runs. He leads the Yard Goats in hits (68), doubles (19), RBI (41), and total bases (113) and ranks in the top ten in the entire Eastern League in RBI (41), doubles (19), hits (68), total bases (113), and slugging percentage (.452).

High-A: Lancaster JetHawks, 3-1 (37-35)

Robert Tyler (no. 23 PuRP) made his debut with the JetHawks on June 7 of this year. Since then, Tyler has pitched well — only allowing five hits and one run in 3 ²⁄₃ innings. He has also struck out three batters and walked two. Tyler was drafter by the Rockies as a Competitive Balance A pick in 2016 and he has battled some injuries throughout his minor league journey. He spent last year in Lancaster as well, where he struggled — allowing 11 runs (10 earned) on 17 hits and five walks. He struck out five in 9 ¹⁄₃ innings last year. So far things are looking up a little bit, so hopefully that continues.

Low-A: Asheville Tourists, 2-2 (31-43)

Ryan Feltner (no. 19 PuRP) struggled this week. He lasted 5 ¹⁄₃ innings against the Columbia Fireflies (Low-A Mets), but surrendered seven runs (all earned) on ten hits. One of those was a home run to DH Hayden Senger, but luckily it was only a solo shot. It was his worst outing of the season. Feltner had a short outing in his last start on June 7, so this was not the bounce back he was looking for. Hopefully next time will be better.

Boise Hawks, 3-4 (3-7)

2019 first round pick Michael Toglia made his professional debut this week for the Boise Hawks. Toglia, a first baseman out of UCLA, went 2-for-4 with a home run in his first game but has gone 0-for-4 with two strikeouts since. So far, he is hitting .250/.500/.625 in three professional games. Second rounder Aaron Schunk has also been playing for the Hawks. So far in eight professional games, the UGA product has gone 6-for-31 with a double, a triple, and five strikeouts and a stolen base. He is hitting .194/.219/.290 on the young season.

Grand Junction Rockies, 5-1 (5-4)

Mitchell Kilkenny (HM PuRP) made his 2019 debut on June 18 for the Grand Junction Rockies after returning from Tommy John surgery. So far in two appearances, Kilkenny has pitched three scoreless innings and has only given up one hit. He has also struck out a batter and walked two.

Dominican Summer League: DSL Colorado, 5-1 (9-11)

Shortstop Aiverson Rodriguez has been tearing through the DSL so far. The 17-year-old Valencia, Venezuela native has a slash of .348/.420/.464 with two homers in his first year of DSL play, but has only gone hitless three times in 20 games. He leads the team with the .348 average, his two home runs tie him for the team lead with Johan Liberato, and his 12 RBI rank him second behind Hanser Valerio’s 13. It should be noted that Liberato is 20-years-old and Valerio is 19 and both are in their second year in the DSL. Rodriguez has also walked eight times, which ties him for third on the team.

Dominican Summer League: DSL Rockies, 3-2 (11-6)

Shortstop Michael James has also been playing well in his first year of DSL play. The 17-year-old from La Romana, Dominican Republic has a line of .260/.325/.479 and three home runs. James leads the team in doubles (7), homers (3), RBI (18), total bases (35), and slugging percentage (.479). He also ranks among the top six in runs scored (13), walks (6), and average (.260).

Upcoming Schedule

Triple-A Albuquerque: 6/24 @ Reno, 6/25-6/28 vs. Tacoma, 6/29-6/30 @ Sacramento

Double-A Hartford: 6/24-6/26 @ Bowie, 6/27-6/30 @ Richmond

High-A Lancaster: 6/24-6/26 @ Inland Empire, 6/27-6/30 @ Rancho Cucamonga

Low-A Asheville: 6/24-6/26 @ Augusta, 6/27-6/30 @ Charleston

Boise Hawks: 6/24 @ Spokane, 6/25-6/27 vs. Eugene, 6/28-6/30 vs. Salem-Keizer

Grand Junction Rockies: 6/25-6/26 vs. Orem, 6/27-6/29 vs. Ogden, 6/30 @ Rocky Mountain

DSL Colorado: 6/24 @ DSL Royals2, 6/25 vs. DSL Giants, 6/26 @ DSL Giants, 6/27 vs. DSL Mariners, 6/28 @ DSL Mariners, 6/29 vs. DSL Tigers2

DSL Rockies: 6/24 vs. DSL Yankees, 6/25 @ DSL Nationals, 6/26 vs. DSL Mets1, 6/27 @ DSL Phillies Red, 6/28 vs. DSL Nationals, 6/29 @ DSL Orioles2