Rockies prospect Chris McMahon continues to shine in Spokane

The Spokane Indians only played four games this week due to COVID protocols being implemented with their opponent, the Tri-City Dust Devils (OAK). However, the Indians made the most of their limited playing time. Former High-A Pitcher of the Week Chris McMahon (No. 8 PuRP) continued his dominance. He didn’t start this week due to Peter Lambert’s rehab assignment, but he still pitched six innings of one-run ball against the Dust Devils on Aug. 31. He also struck out seven batters for the second straight game. McMahon has yet to strike out double-digit batters, but has struck out nine once and eight once. He has struck out seven six times in 20 games. His 4.10 ERA is best among qualified players, as is his 1.31 WHIP. So far the 2020 second-rounder has had a fantastic first year of pro ball, and hopefully he continues for the next few years.

Top 30 PuRPs

Triple-A: Albuquerque Isotopes (3-3, 46-59 overall)

Elehuris Montero (No. 5 PuRP) was promoted to Triple-A this week and played in three games (four including Aug. 31 in Hartford). In his three games in Albuquerque, Montero went 3-for-12 (.250) with one strikeout. Prior to his promotion, Montero was tearing it up in Hartford to the tune of a .279/.361/.523 slash and 34 extra base hits (11 doubles, one triple, and 22 home runs). He was really hot in July (.416/.467/.831 with 12 homers) but cooled off in August (.233/.324/.350 with two homers, but also spent time on the IL from Aug. 14-24). So far things look alright, but it’ll take a bigger sample size to see how Montero adjusts to the hitter-friendly confines of Albuquerque.

Double-A: Hartford Yard Goats (3-3, 37-69 overall)

Karl Kauffmann (No. 20 PuRP) seems to be settling down in Hartford a bit after a rocky start. This week, the right-hander made one start and pitched six innings of two-run ball against the Reading Fightin Phils (PHI). He allowed a solo homer, and the other run scored on an RBI single. His full pitching line was six innings pitched, six hits, two earned runs, and four strikeouts. In his last three starts, Kauffmann has not allowed more than three runs over 5+ innings each time. His ERA has slowly been lowering since the season-high 11.30 on June 30. Now it sits at 7.25 for the season (7.82 in Hartford).

High-A: Spokane Indians (4-0, 60-46 overall)

On top of Chris McMahon’s strong outing, Grant Lavigne (No. 15 PuRP) and Niko Decolati (HM PuRP) made the most of their limited at-bats. Lavigne went 4-for-10 (.400) in four games with a home run and a double. Lavigne had more hits (4) than strikeouts (3), and as many walks (4).

Decolati went 6-for-12 (.500) in three games with one double, three RBI, a walk, three strikeouts, and four stolen bases in five tries. On Sept. 2, he went 3-for-5 with an RBI, a strikeout, and three stolen bases. The Boulder native played well in Rookie Grand Junction (.327/.414/.532) but cooled off in Low-A Asheville (.265/.334/.399). After the lost 2020 season, Decolati has held steady at .262/.337/.410, but hopefully he turns on the jets a little bit more. Maybe this is a sign that he is.

Low-A: Fresno Grizzlies (5-1, 71-37 overall)

RHP Tony Locey (HM PuRP) has had a quietly decent year for the Fresno Grizzlies. The former Cardinals’ third-rounder (2019) has posted a 3.47 ERA in 59 ²⁄₃ innings since he was brought over to the Rockies in the Nolan Arenado trade. Locey has made nine starts in 24 games. In his start this week, he pitched 5 ²⁄₃ innings of one-run ball against the Stockton Ports (OAK). He hit one batter and walked four, but struck out eight. He got lit up in his last start — six runs on seven hits over three innings — but bounced back nicely and has pitched well otherwise in the month of August. In fact, that outing was his worst in 2021. Hopefully Locey can continue his success.

ACL Rockies (3-0, 35-12 overall)

In Scottsdale, the ACL Rockies continue to play well. 2021 competitive balance pick Joe Rock (No. 16 PuRP) has been off to a good start. The left-hander has pitched just three innings so far, but he has yet to allow a run and has struck out six. Adael Amador (No. 18 PuRP) had a successful week at the plate. He went 5-for-10 (.500) with two doubles, six RBI, three walks, a strikeout, and a stolen base in two tries. Amador has had a successful first pro season, hitting .280/.377/.424 over the course of 132 at-bats. Not bad for an 18-year-old making his stateside, and pro, debut.

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Upcoming Schedule

Triple-A Albuquerque: 9/6-9/7 @ OKC (LAD); 9/9-9/12 vs El Paso (SD)

Double-A Hartford: 9/7-9/9 vs Somerset (NYY); 9/10-9/12 @ Somerset (NYY)

High-A Spokane: 9/7-9/12 @ Vancouver (TOR)

Low-A Fresno: 9/7-9/12 @ Modesto (SEA)

ACL Rockies: 9/6 @ ACL Giants Black; 9/7 vs ACL Cubs; 9/9 @ ACL Athletics; 9/10 vs ACL Giants Orange; 9/11 @ ACL D-backs