Rodgers has unexpected shoulder surgery | MLB.com
When it rains it pours. Thomas Harding reports that Rockies infielder—and number one prospect—Brendan Rodgers announced yesterday via his Instagram account that he had right shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum. Brendan was struggling at the big league level, slashing just .224/.272/.250, and most concerning was an uncharacteristic lack of power (an .026 ISO), but at least we may now have some evidence as to why.
There’s no way around it, this is a big setback. Rodgers will have to pick up where he left off in the 2020 season, but it will remain to be seen at what level he comes back. If there’s a silver lining to this whole thing, it is Ryan McMahon has an open lane to owning the second base job and really developing into something special himself. But that begs the question, where will Brendan Rodgers fit in with this team in the future?
Colorado Rockies: Which poison will they pick at the trade deadline? | Rox Pile
Noah Yingling discusses what path the Rockies will take as the trade deadline approaches—will they be buyers, or will they be sellers? There are arguments to be made either way, as the Rockies find themselves a half-game out of last place in the NL West while also only 2.5 games out of the second Wild Card spot (entering play Tuesday).
The Rockies biggest weakness this year has surprisingly been their pitching, With a team ERA that is second-worst in baseball (only besting the Orioles), logic dictates the front office should acquire a starter or bullpen help. That is, of course, unless logic says the Rockies should be sellers to better their chances of competing in the next few seasons, or if the cost of acquiring their target is too expensive (in terms of prospects).
What say you, Purple Rowers? Buyers or sellers?
One player each team should trade for — or deal away — before the deadline | ESPN
David Schoenfield has a “buyers or sellers” answer for each team as the deadline approaches, and he’s telling Jeff Bridich to open the pocket-book. The implication is that the Rockies—despite a stretch of really tough baseball—are still contenders (which they are, technically), and he agrees that they need rotation help to get them to the playoffs. He suggests targeting Trevor Bauer for the not-so-serious reason that it would be humorous.
Jim Bowden has some interesting thoughts about the trade deadline, as well, and makes the very good point that the smaller disparity between team’s records this season—which, therefore, creates more potential contenders—will naturally produce more buyers than sellers come July 31st.
Many of these teams will specifically need a starter and a reliever (*cough*Rockies*cough*), and Bowden suggests four specific starter-reliever combos who could be moved. The most interesting duo for me is Marcus Stroman and Ken Giles from Toronto. The Rox front office has a history of working with the Jays, so that could be an advantage.
Again, it will just depend on how much Toronto asks Bridich to give up. Jeff is known for his stinginess with prospects, and with the Rockies faltering lately—and not making a strong case for contention—the willingness to spend could be even less. Both Giles and Stroman have another year of arbitration before hitting the free market in 2021, though, so they’re not exactly rentals, either. There’s always a chance.
On the farm
Some familiar faces and a new friend had big days for the ‘Topes. In his sixth game with the club, Yonder Alonso picked up three more hits to bring his Triple-A slash line to .381/.391/.524. He appears to have some bop left in his bat and very well could be the Mark Reynolds replacement soon. Sam Hilliard went 2-for-4 with a double and Josh Fuentes had a big three-run bomb to break open the game in the eighth inning.
Up in Grand Junction, a couple of rookies had nice performances for the Rockies. Mike Ruff (round 11, 2019) pitched four innings of one hit ball and struck out six. On offense, Colin Simpson (round 29, 2019) continued his hot start to his professional career with a two-hit game that included three RBI. Colin is slashing an impressive .352/.446/.690 in 21 games.
Triple-A: Albuquerque Isotopes 7, Fresno Grizzlies 2
Double-A: Richmond Flying Squirrels 7, Hartford Yard Goats 4
Low-A: Greenville Drive 4, Asheville Tourists 1
Short Season-A: Eugene Emeralds 8, Boise Hawks 1
Rookie: Grand Junction Rockies 8, Billings Mustangs 7
DSL 1: DSL Colorado 6, DSL Pairates2 2
DSL 2: DSL Rockies 3, DSL Yankees 2