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Pitching prospect Case Williams shines in High-A debut

Prospect news and statistics from the Rockies minor league affiliates from August 1-7, 2022

The Colorado Rockies farm system received their first taste of new blood in the Arizona Complex League. Jordan Beck debuted in the ACL, collecting four hits including his first professional home run on Saturday. Sterlin Thompson also appeared game-action, as did Kody Huff and undrafted free agent Parker Kelly.

On the full-season affiliate side, the Albuquerque Isotopes had a miserable series against El Paso (SD), dropping all five games played. The Hartford Yard Goats also dropped their matchup with Reading (PHI), but did win two-of-six games. The Spokane Indians split their set with Eugene (SF) while Fresno got the better of San Jose (SF) at home, picking up the lone series win of the week.

While Spokane didn’t get the series win, they did get an excellent debut start from Case Williams. After 89 ⅔ innings with the Fresno Grizzlies, Williams received the promotion to Spokane and dominated in his first appearance with nine strikeouts and just one run allowed in five innings.

A fourth-round pick in the 2020 draft out of Douglas County High School, Williams started the season hot with a 3.38 ERA in his first 50 ⅔ innings. That performance continued through July, earning Williams a deserved shot at the next level. If the rest of his starts are anything like his first High-A appearance, the 20 year-old Williams could be setting himself up for quicker rise through the Colorado system.

Top 30 PuRPs

Triple-A: Albuquerque Isotopes (0-5, 47-57 overall)

While the Isotopes pitching staff had a tough week overall, there were a few performances of note. Ashton Godeau delivered his second-straight strong outing, throwing five innings with just two earned runs allowed. In the bullpen, Julian Fernandez (HM PuRP) threw 2 ⅔ scoreless innings with three strikeouts while Justin Lawrence continued his overwhelming Triple-A numbers with two strikeouts in two scoreless innings.

Former Seattle Mariners first-round selection D.J. Peterson seems to have turned a corner in the past few months, posting a .919 OPS since the start of June. That sweet-swinging reached a new high this week as Peterson hit four home runs and drove-in seven on his way to an impressive .368/.400/1.053 line in 19 AB. Coco Montes and Carlos Perez also provided quality weeks, with each producing three doubles, one homer and four RBI in five games.

Double-A: Hartford Yard Goats (2-4, 61-40 overall)

Brent Doyle (No. 10 PuRP) had a Peterson-esque week in Double-A, hitting four home runs and collecting 22 total bases while adding in seven runs scored and driven-in. Doyle’s total bases were slightly higher than Michael Toglia’s (No. 7 PuRP), who sent three of his ten hits over the wall on his way to a 1.277 OPS. Three of Willie MacIver’s (No. 28 PuRP) five hits went for extra bases, including a homer.

On the mound, Noah Davis (No. 19 PuRP) delivered Hartford’s second complete game of the season, striking out seven without issuing a walk. Unfortunately, it came in just eight innings as the two runs he allowed were insurmountable for the Hartford offense. Mitchell Kilkenny (No. 23 PuRP) made two starts, allowing two runs in each and picking up one win in 10 IP.

High-A: Spokane Indians (3-3, 51-48 overall)

While Williams delivered the strongest start for the Indians, Andrew Quezada also threw well in his outing with two earned runs allowed over six innings. From the bullpen, Blake Goldsberry struck out six in three innings while Adam McKillican delivered 4 ⅓ scoreless frames, notching seven strikeouts.

At the dish, Hunter Goodman (No. 27 PuRP) was the hottest hitter in the Spokane lineup. In 25 AB, Goodman gathered 11 hits – five of which for extra-bases – and finished with a 1.200 OPS. Goodman’s lofty OPS was just a tick above Colin Simpson’s, who had nine knocks including a homer and two doubles. Zac Veen (No. 1 PuRP) had a modest week with the bat, but did swipe three bases to bring his season total to an astounding 50.

Fresno Grizzlies (4-2, 60-42 overall)

Yanquiel Fernandez (No. 25 PuRP) had another impressive week for the Grizzlies, driving-in 12 runs and sending five of his eight hits for extra-bases. Adael Amador (No. 17 PuRP) scored a team-high six runs and continued his excellent plate discipline with seven walks to just four strikeouts. Juan Brito (HM PuRP) shared that discipline with a BB-to-K of 6-to-4 while also hitting three doubles and a home run.

Francis Rivera was a stalwart out of the bullpen, allowing just one unearned run in 3 ⅓ outings. Jarrod Cande had just two runs permitted – one unearned – in his start, registering six strikeouts in 5 ⅔ innings. But the best start came from Victor Juarez, who dominated over six shutout innings with just two hits and a walk permitted while striking out seven.

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Week of 9/26-10/2 (Hitters)

Name PuRP Ranking Level H/AB HR SO BB SB
Name PuRP Ranking Level H/AB HR SO BB SB
Zac Veen 1 Double-A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Benny Montgomery 2 Low-A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Drew Romo 3 High-A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Elehuris Montero 5 MLB DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Ezequiel Tovar 6 MLB DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Michael Toglia 7 MLB DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Ryan Vilade 8 Triple-A 2/6 0 2 2 0
Brenton Doyle 10 Triple-A 3/12 2 7 2 0
Colton Welker 11 SF Triple-A (IL) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Adael Amador 17 Low-A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Warming Bernabel 18 High-A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Grant Lavigne 22 Double-A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Aaron Schunk 24 Double-A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Yanquiel Fernandez 25 Low-A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Dyan Jorge 26 DSL N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Hunter Goodman 27 Double-A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Willie MacIver 28 Triple-A 1/7 0 2 1 0
Eddy Diaz 30 High-A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Julio Carreras HM Double-A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Jameson Hannah HM Double-A (IL) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Juan Brito HM Low-A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Bladimir Restituyo HM High-A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Week of 9/26-10/2 (Pitchers)

Name PuRP Ranking Level G/GS IP R/ER SO BB
Name PuRP Ranking Level G/GS IP R/ER SO BB
Ryan Rolison 4 Triple-A (IL) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Chris McMahon 9 High-A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Jaden Hill 12 Low-A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Helcris Olivarez 13 ACL (IL) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Sam Weatherly 14 ACL (IL) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Ryan Feltner 15 MLB DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Joe Rock 16 Double-A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Noah Davis 19 MLB DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Karl Kauffmann 20 Triple-A 1/1 4.0 1/1 2 5
Jordy Vargas 21 Low-A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Mitchell Kilkenny 23 Double-A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
McCade Brown 29 Low-A (IL) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Tony Locey HM Double-A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Julian Fernández HM Triple-A 1/0 1.0 0/0 1 1
Brayan Castillo HM Low-A DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP

Season to Date (Hitters)

Name PuRP Ranking Level H/AB HR SO BB SB
Name PuRP Ranking Level H/AB HR SO BB SB
Zac Veen 1 Double-A 114/466 12 132 64 55
Benny Montgomery 2 Low-A 73/233 6 71 21 9
Drew Romo 3 High-A 95/374 5 81 35 18
Elehuris Montero 5 MLB 79/255 15 63 27 4
Ezequiel Tovar 6 MLB 91/285 14 66 27 17
Michael Toglia 7 MLB 107/429 30 149 60 7
Ryan Vilade 8 Triple-A 95/379 6 72 53 11
Brenton Doyle 10 Triple-A 130/507 26 171 28 23
Colton Welker 11 SF Triple-A (IL) 12/37 2 7 6 0
Adael Amador 17 Low-A 131/449 15 67 87 26
Warming Bernabel 18 High-A 115/367 14 56 31 23
Grant Lavigne 22 Double-A 127/449 10 134 68 2
Aaron Schunk 24 Double-A 116/450 14 115 36 6
Yanquiel Fernandez 25 Low-A 135/475 21 114 39 5
Dyan Jorge 26 DSL 66/206 4 35 24 13
Hunter Goodman 27 Double-A 154/523 36 151 40 6
Willie MacIver 28 Triple-A 83/367 15 114 39 10
Eddy Diaz 30 High-A 102/391 6 89 30 37
Julio Carreras HM Double-A 130/462 11 127 36 19
Jameson Hannah HM Double-A (IL) 27/99 1 25 12 7
Juan Brito HM Low-A 115/402 11 71 78 17
Bladimir Restituyo HM High-A 111/396 8 87 11 22

Season to Date (Pitchers)

Name PuRP Ranking Level G/GS IP R/ER SO BB
Name PuRP Ranking Level G/GS IP R/ER SO BB
Ryan Rolison 4 Triple-A (IL) N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Chris McMahon 9 High-A 8/6 28.2 18/17 25 5
Jaden Hill 12 Low-A 10/10 17.2 6/6 25 6
Helcris Olivarez 13 ACL (IL) 1/1 2.0 0/0 1 0
Sam Weatherly 14 ACL 5/3 11.2 5/5 23 2
Ryan Feltner 15 MLB 11/11 51.2 25/22 60 18
Joe Rock 16 Double-A 22/22 115.2 72/62 120 50
Noah Davis 19 MLB 26/26 133.1 86/82 152 60
Karl Kauffmann 20 Triple-A 28/28 141.2 84/78 144 79
Jordy Vargas 21 Low-A 13/11 51.1 23/17 64 17
Mitchell Kilkenny 23 Double-A 24/24 102.0 67/63 76 34
McCade Brown 29 Low-A 18/18 89.2 56/52 118 23
Tony Locey HM Double-A 26/20 102.2 82/71 93 67
Julian Fernández HM Triple-A 58/0 57.0 46/42 65 32
Brayan Castillo HM Low-A 22/22 99.1 72/62 89 51

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Upcoming Schedule

Triple-A Albuquerque: 8/9-8/14 vs Reno (ARI)

Double-A Hartford: 8/9-8/14 @ Somerset (NYY)

High-A Spokane: 8/9-8/14 @ Hillsboro (ARI)

Low-A Fresno: 8/9-8/14 @ Inland Empire (LAA)