The Rockies minor league roster is now significantly smaller.
Yesterday, Robert Murray tweeted that the Rockies had quietly made their cuts last week as teams rushed to reduce payroll prior to June 1:
Rockies made minor-league releases last week, according to multiple sources. Known teams to make cuts: Mariners, Brewers, Reds, Mets, Nationals, Orioles.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) May 28, 2020
This morning, Rockies Roster provided player names and a more specific date of release, May 18. The following players have been released:
- Vladimir Dilone (Boise)
- Jordan Foley (Albuquerque)
- Anyelo Gomez (Hartford)
- Noah Gotsis (Grand Junction)
- Eric Hepple (Grand Junction)
- Micah Kaczor (Boise)
- Brandon Lambright (Hartford)
- Tim Melville (Albuquerque )
- Jeffri Ocando (Boise)
- Kyle Olliges (Lancaster)
- Frederis Parra (Lancaster)
- Arvicent Perez (Hartford)
- Jordan Spicer (Hartford)
- Owen Taylor (Grand Junction)
- Matt Whitehouse (Hartford)
The most familiar name for most Rockies fans will be Tim Melville, who was a 2019 mid-season replacement pitcher for the Rockies. Last week, Melville announced on his Instagram that he was no longer with the team but did not provide any additional details.
The move was not unprecedented; however, given the current state of baseball, it places players in an impossible position. As Rosenthal tweeted:
Many minor leaguers released today would have suffered same fate at end of spring. But with transactions frozen and minor-league season likely to be canceled, these players have practically nowhere to turn, at least in ‘20. And many are not in position to stick around until ‘21. https://t.co/iM5A0QP3aQ
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) May 29, 2020
The cuts come as MLB attempts to save money and radically redefine its minor league and player development systems. (Read Jeff Passan’s take on the implications of this move here.)
Purple Row will update this story should more information become available.
(Author’s note: Rockies Roster is a terrific resource for Rockies fans. Please follow them if you aren’t already.)