Purple Row - 2014 Rockies minor league reviewOf, by, and for Rockies fans. Every day.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/32779/pr-logo-fv.jpg2014-11-23T17:41:58-07:00http://www.purplerow.com/rss/stream/67789162014-11-23T17:41:58-07:002014-11-23T17:41:58-07:00Rockies minor league review: AFL
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<figcaption>Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>A handful of Rockies prospects showed some promise as participants in the 2014 Arizona Fall League. </p> <p>I don't know much about the Arizona Fall League. There is only so much RAM available for use in my head and for some reason, I've mostly chosen to not follow the AFL in my life. I eat up winter meetings, go bananas for minor league reports, and the words "spring training" ring just the same as the words "merry Christmas" in my ears.</p>
<p>But something I've started to realize; this AFL business is worth paying some attention to. The biggest story from my recent memory that centered around the yearly tournament was the early signal that <a target="_blank" href="http://www.purplerow.com/2011/11/20/2575118/sunday-rockpile-arenado-officially-afl-mvp-rockies-interest-in-jonny">Nolan Arenado might be something special.</a></p>
<p>Nothing quite so dramatic happened for the organization this year. In fact,<a target="_blank" href="http://m.mlb.com/news/article/101975482/ranking-the-top-25-prospects-from-the-arizona-fall-league">Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo at MLB.com ranked the top 25 prospects who participated and there isn't a Rockie among them.</a></p>
<p>But that doesn't mean there were no bright spots for <a href="https://www.purplerow.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rockies</a> fans.</p>
<h4>
<span>Jayson Aquino</span>: 3.38 ERA, 7.31 K/9, 2.25 BB/9, 16.0 IP</h4>
<p>It was an ... interesting ... year for Jayson Aquino who seemed to get better each time his competition got better albeit in limited sample sizes.</p>
<p>He pitched in only four games, winning two, for the Salt River Rafters, which is a reference to river-rafting and not as my silly brain for some reason previously thought, a reference to ceiling beams.</p>
<p>Aquino began the season pitching for the Rockies A+ team in Modesto to lackluster results. He was posting a 5.40 ERA when he was called up to Double-A. It may have seemed a strange move at the time but a look inside his peripherals suggest otherwise.</p>
<p>He was still striking out over seven batters per nine innings and walking under three, which is pretty much par for the course with him, and had a FIP nearly a full point lower than his ERA at 4.47. He was also giving up a pretty lofty .353 BABIP. So up he was called and answer it he did ... sort of.</p>
<p>His two starts for Tulsa, like his four in the AFL, are too small a sample size to draw any conclusions but the early signs are good. Aquino posted a 3.00 ERA in two starts and still struck out near seven per nine but there was one big red flag: a 6.00 BB/9, which means he walked six guys in both outings.</p>
<p>These kinds of things happen but I think it is worth noting that against even better hitters, Aquino got the walks under control in the AFL, back down to his usual area of 2.25 BB/9.</p>
<p>It's too early to know what any of this means. If we were doing PuRPs lists currently, I have no idea where he would be on mine.</p>
<p>My position on Aquino at the moment is one of extremely cautious and distant hope that could be lit on fire by a good season in 2015. Maybe he started to figure some things out. A lefty with good strikeout stuff is exciting until he completely implodes. Maybe he is, as Dan O'Dowd suggested, a competitor who relishes the chance to play against the best. Or maybe it's just that the stink of Modesto's season got all over Aquino and he is ready to shake it off Taylor Swift style and return to the prospect status many of us felt he would achieve.</p>
<p>Y'know, or maybe not.</p>
<h4>Christian Bergman: 4.43 ERA, 8.20 K/9, 0.96 BB/9, 18.2 IP</h4>
<p>I would really like to see what Christian Bergman can do in a bullpen role for the Rockies next season and not just because his overall hair setup is even more glorious in person than on TV which I didn't think was possible.</p>
<p>He doesn't have the scariest stuff in the world, but he doesn't have to scare you, he just has to keep you off base, and more and more I'm believing that Bergman has a deep understanding at a high level of how to do that.</p>
<p>As if he were purposefully addressing concerns that he doesn't have good enough swing-and-miss stuff, Bergman posted a damned impressive 8.20 K/9 while only walking -- wait, what? -- <i>0.96</i> batters per? You might also guess that with peripherals that good and an ERA that high he might have been extraordinarily unlucky on balls in play and you would be right as his 2.22 FIP suggests.</p>
<p>Yes, it was in only 18.2 innings and the Berg Man does have more big league experience than most of those guys.</p>
<p>But I don't care who you are or what league you are pitching in, those are masterful control numbers. Even watching him this season it always felt like he could keep hitters off balance with excellent control around the edges of the plate for at least a few innings before losing it a bit and/or hitters making adjustments as his stuff flattened out due to natural fatigue.</p>
<p>This could make him the perfect candidate to fill what I think is a glaring hole on the Rockies roster; the long reliever. Important in blowout wins and losses as well as extra inning games or in the event of injury (<i>yeah, like that's ever going to happen) </i>the long reliever is essential in not only preserving the bullpen but in winning individual games.</p>
<p><span>Christian Bergman's</span> stellar command pitching out of the pen in the AFL is at worst nice to see as a sign that he doesn't take to the role with disgust or fear.</p>
<p>Being able to employ his entire arsenal of wibbly-wobbly deceptive pitches without concern for tipping them for later on -- since he will be pitching at most three innings -- could, and I'll go ahead and stress <i>could</i>, just be the perfect fit for both him and the Rockies.</p>
<h4>
<span>Taylor Featherston</span>: .294/.355/.456, 1 HR, 4 SB, 121 wRC+</h4>
<p>Featherston was fourth in batting average (.294) among players with at least 70 plate appearances for the champion Salt River Rafters.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://m.rockies.mlb.com/news/article/101571574/ryan-casteel-taylor-featherston-deliver-in-afl-championship-win">He and Ryan Casteel were instrumental in winning the final game (check out this link for some good video).</a></p>
<p>Taylor doesn't have the same prospect pedigree as fellow Rafter and Rockies middle infielder <span>Trevor Story</span>, but he has put up four consecutive seasons of a wRC+ of at least 114 in the minors and he is known more for his defense than his offense, though according to FanGraphs, neither is projected to be elite.</p>
<p>It's entirely possible, though, that Featherston will never be an elite player, or even a very good player, but may grow into a pretty good bench player on an MLB team. Or maybe he is just a late bloomer. I've never seen him play but the main hesitation comes in realizing he is only a few days younger than <span>Kyle Parker</span> who has already played in major league baseball games ... kind of.</p>
<p>Featherston put up a 116 wRC+ in his first season at Double-A ball this year, though his strikeout numbers were worrisome, hovering around the 20 percent mark and jumping up to 29 in the AFL, though he did blast 16 home runs, which is pretty good for a second baseman.</p>
<p>He was solid all-around for the Rafters, though, scoring 15 runs and driving in ten in addition to the numbers already discussed. That at least can't hurt his prospect stock.</p>
<h4>
<span>Ryan Casteel</span>: .258/.321/.355, 0 HR, 0 SB, 86 wRC+</h4>
<p>Despite playing a pivotal role in the decisive game, Casteel didn't have an AFL to write home about. The 125 wRC+ he posted during the regular season with Tulsa shrank to a measly 86 but I'm not ready to give up on the 23-year old catcher who is likely to end up as a first baseman.</p>
<p>He missed some time with injury but still managed 16 home runs in 113 games but if you are going to read anything into his AFL performance it's likely that he at least needs more seasoning before we know what we have with Casteel. He is still a bat worth keeping an eye on.</p>
<h4>Trevor Story: .256/.340/.419, 1 HR, 3 SB, 107 wRC+</h4>
<p>The numbers don't exactly jump off the page but I think it is worth noting that since moving up a level, Trevor Story has basically become <span>Adam Dunn</span> at the plate.</p>
<p>He strikes out a lot, the batting average numbers can make you cringe, but when he does make contact, he hits the ball really, really hard.</p>
<p>That's how you can hit .256 and still post a 107 wRC+ or, as he did for Tulsa this season, hit .200 (yuck) but still have a 98 wRC+ or barely below average. In 56 games, the <i>short stop</i> (who has been playing more second base lately) hit nine home runs. It's extreme feast or famine but that he is feasting at all is promising and still at the age of 22 he still has time to develop some consistency.</p>
<h4>Chris O'Dowd: .231/.310/.423, 1 HR, 0 SB, 101 wRC+</h4>
<p>O'Dowd's 101 wRC+ in only nine games catching for the rafters matched his output from the regular season exactly. Like Story, his value came from his slugging which made up for lack of production in other areas.</p>
<p>Chris' ultimate value, though, will come from his ability behind the plate and I didn't see enough of him in the AFL to speak intelligently on the matter. Still, the 101 wRC+ is slightly above average offense for the league so any lingering accusations of nepotism should be put to rest. I don't see him making many PuRPs lists soon, but he may be one of those guys who carves out a nice career as a defense first, backup catcher in the league.</p>
https://www.purplerow.com/2014/11/23/7271749/2014-rockies-minor-league-review-arizona-fall-league-solid-prospects-coloradoDrew Creasman2014-11-20T11:12:59-07:002014-11-20T11:12:59-07:00Rockies minor league review: CS hitters
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<figcaption>Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Most of the best hitters from the Colorado Springs Sky Sox saw time in Denver this year ... but very few saw enough to feel too strongly about them one way or the other.</p> <p>Not quite to the extreme as their pitching brethren, the hitters of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Colorado Rockies</a> Triple-A affiliate in Colorado Springs still saw a fair amount of crossover between the highest level of the minors and the only level of the major leagues in 2014.</p>
<p>The most famous of the name among the group is a perfect microcosm for both the Sky Sox season in general and the attitude that the organization seems to have had for the Triple-A level over the last several years which may or may not change with the move to Albuquerque.</p>
<p>Who is <span>Kyle Parker</span> and what is his future role for this team? This is the one question I badly wanted to ask Walt Weiss in my short time with him but didn't. Parker led the Sky Sox in plate appearances but when he was called up, it was as though he had developed a plate allergy that only the Rockies brass could see.</p>
<p><span>Ben Paulsen</span>, second in PAs for Colorado Springs, did see a decent number of at-bats at the major league level, but his lack of prospect pedigree before and uncertainty about positioning put everyone on this list into a kind of twilight ... area ... between potential key piece for the future or simple organizational filler.</p>
<h4>
<span>Kyle Parker</span>: .289/.336/.450, 15 HR, 4 SB, 102 wRC+</h4>
<p>First baseman of the future? I really have no idea and I'm not so sure the Rockies do either. Their use of Parker (or lack thereof) at the end of the season baffled me, to say the least. Does it mean they don't see the potential in him to be an everyday player or are they just taking it really slow but still have big plans for him?</p>
<p>Has Ben Paulsen usurped Kyle Parker as first in line for first base and right field? Not only do we not know the answers to these questions, we also don't know how good Parker can be at the MLB level.</p>
<p>Sure, his offensive numbers don't blow you away for a guy who is known as an offensive player playing in a hitters ballpark in Colorado Springs but they are still decent and it's getting to "now or never" time with Kyle Parker. He just needs the opportunity. 2015 should be a huge year for him one way or the other.</p>
<h4>Ben Paulsen: .294/.378/.533, 20 HR, 4 SB, 133 wRC+</h4>
<p>His name is Ben Paulsen. And members of project mayhem -- which may as well be the title for the Rockies 2014 season -- have names.</p>
<p>Surprise prospect of the year, in my book. Paulsen had an excellent season with the bat between two levels, including posting a 139 wRC+ in 66 plate appearances with the big boy team. He hit so well that the Rockies even started him in right field a couple of times.</p>
<p>Paulsen is a bit older for a prospect (27) and seems to have limited defensive value. And, of course, you can't talk about an offensive outburst like that without employing the phrase "small sample size" but hopefully at the very least, Paulsen provides an lefty bat with some pop coming off the bench and some good depth.</p>
<p>Like with Parker (and y'know everyone on this particular team) next season will tell us a lot more about whether Paulsen's output is a sign of great things to come or a flash in the pan.</p>
<h4>
<span>Cristhian Adames</span>: .338/.392/.441, 1 HR, 5 SB, 122 wRC+</h4>
<p>Adames is Kyle Parker, infielder division. An exemplification of the failures to properly manage September call-ups, Adames may well just be the in-house solution to the Tulo insurance problem that constantly haunt this team. But we don't know yet, for sure because he didn't really get to play.</p>
<p>Cristhian is an interesting player because throughout his minor league career he has been touted for his defense but upon being called to the highest level of minors this season, his bat took off like Kim Kardashian's clothes.</p>
<p>He just turned 23, displayed some excellent work with the glove, but has only been given 15 major league plate appearances. If he can hit -- even just barely -- and play above average defense he could be a real asset for this team.</p>
<p>Watch this space</p>
<h4>
<span>Rafael Ynoa</span>: .297/.356/.419, 5 HR, 7 SB, 102 wRC+</h4>
<p>Rafael Ynoa, for me, is Adames lite. It's hard to argue with his stellar cup-of-coffee performance with the MLB team this season which also included some highlight plays with the leather but he is a bit older and his defensive resume isn't quite what Adames' is</p>
<p>His offense is unlikely to continue at the rate he was playing at the end of the year (121 wRC+) which is backed up by his .397 BABIP. Unfortunately, it looks like Ynoa may be a candidate to not return next season due to roster crunch in the organization but watching him easily one of the most fun aspects of a dreary end to the 2014 Colorado Rockies season.</p>
<h4>
<span>Tim Wheeler</span>: .233/.313/.387, 11 HR, 9 SB, 81 wRC+</h4>
<p>Oh, Tim. It appears, sadly, as though Tim Wheelers days as a prospect are behind him. The man should never have to buy a beer in Colorado Springs, though.</p>
<h4>
<span>Jason Pridie</span>: .278/.341/.433, 12 HR, 28 SB, 100 wRC+</h4>
<p>Likely seen as organizational filler, he posted an almost perfectly average season for the Sky Sox. The 28 stolen bases show he still has speed that could be useful for somebody.</p>
<h4>
<span>Jackson Williams</span>: .256/.353/.368, 4 HR, 3 SB, 92 wRC+</h4>
<h4>Dustin Garneu: .216/.297/.405, 5 HR, 2 SB, 80 wRC+</h4>
<p>Don't forget about the catchers!</p>
<p>Neither guy hit particularly well this season but I wanted to include both here because of their defensive prowess at a position that is of a ton of importance defensively, especially for the Rockies. I would really like to see Garneu in particular get a shot next season.</p>
https://www.purplerow.com/2014/11/20/7254663/2014-rockies-minor-league-review-colorado-springs-hitters-ambiguous-depthDrew Creasman2014-10-29T15:40:57-06:002014-10-29T15:40:57-06:00Tulsa pitching staff anchored by top prospects
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<figcaption>Dustin Bradford</figcaption>
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<p>A strong group of arms in Tulsa was led by several starters with bright futures.</p> <p>In their final season as a <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> affiliate, the Tulsa Drillers played host to some of the organization's most well-thought of young arms. First-round picks <span>Jon Gray</span>, <span>Eddie Butler</span> and <span>Tyler Anderson</span> were joined in the Tulsa rotation by righty <span>Daniel Winkler</span>, and all four were among the top 13 on the most recent PuRPs list. The four pitchers combined to start 77 of the team's 139 games, pitching 420 2/3 innings with a 2.87 ERA and 1.11 WHIP.</p>
<h3>Daniel Winkler</h3>
<p>Winkler, ranked No. 13 on the latest PuRPs list, made just 12 starts this season before undergoing Tommy John surgery, but what a 12 starts they were. He allowed just 33 hits in 70 innings pitched with a 1.41 ERA and 0.71 WHIP. He walked just 17 and struck out 71. Not bad for a 24th round pick out of Central Florida in 2011.</p>
<p>Winkler's abbreviated 2014 served as a nice follow-up to a strong 2013 that saw him post a 2.98 ERA splitting time between Tulsa and Modesto. He should be back midway through the 2015 season, probably in AA again, this time in New Britain.</p>
<h3>Tyler Anderson</h3>
<p>The No. 11 PuRP probably had the best season of any Tulsa pitcher. Anderson had a 1.98 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in 118 1/3 innings over 23 starts for the Drillers in 2014. The southpaw allowed just 91 hits in those 118 1/3 innings, walking 40 and striking out 106.</p>
<p>Anderson's successful 2014 was a big sign of progress for the former Oregon Duck and 2011 first-round pick who was limited to just 16 starts over two levels in 2013. Look for Anderson to start 2015 either at AA New Britain or, more likely, in AAA in Albuquerque.</p>
<h3>Eddie Bulter</h3>
<p>Butler, the No. 3 PuRP, had two stints in Tulsa this season, with a Major League call up and a DL stint between them. Butler made 18 starts for the Drillers in 2014, compiling a 3.58 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 108 innings. He allowed 104 hits, walking 32 and striking out just 63.</p>
<p>Despite the ghastly 5.25 K/9 number he posted in Tulsa, the Rockies showed faith in Butler, giving him three starts with the big club in which he posted a 6.75 ERA in 16 innings. If he has a strong Spring Training, he could very well find himself in the Rockies' Opening Day starting rotation in 2015.</p>
<h3>Jon Gray</h3>
<p>The top man on the PuRPs list and No. 3 overall pick in 2013 reportedly put in a lot of work on his secondary pitches in 2014, leading to an up-and-down season and a stat line that as just so-so for the season. Gray tossed 124 1/3 innings in 24 starts with a 3.91 ERA and 1.19 WHIP. He allowed 107 hits in his 120+ innings, walking 41 and striking out 113.</p>
<p>After a strong 37 inning cameo in 2013, Gray's 2014 season was more about developing and becoming a pitcher rather than a thrower. Look for him to start 2015 at AAA Albuquerque with an outside chance at making the Rockies starting rotation.</p>
<h3>The rest</h3>
<p>Lefty Carlos Hernandez, a 27-year-old, posted a 2.68 ERA in 124 1/3 innings, filling in the rotation after Winkler's injury. The Drillers also sported a strong bullpen with <span>Cole White</span> and <span>Scott Oberg</span> splitting the closer's duties and combining for 31 saves and a 2.84 ERA in 76 innings. Lefty Kenny Roberts grabbed nine wins as a reliever with a 2.30 ERA in 78 1/3 innings out of the 'pen. <span>Richard Castillo</span> was the fifth man in the Tulsa rotation, but disappointed with a 5.41 ERA in 136 1/3 innings.</p>
https://www.purplerow.com/2014/10/29/7106319/rockies-2014-minor-league-review-tulsa-pitching-staff-anchored-by-topJordan Freemyer2014-10-28T15:17:24-06:002014-10-28T15:17:24-06:00Casteel, Featherston pace overshadowed Tulsa bats
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<figcaption>Rob Tringali</figcaption>
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<p>The numbers as a whole weren't exactly pretty, but there were several bright spots within the Rockies' Double-A lineup.</p> <p>Heading into 2014, it was the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a>' Double-A pitching staff -- not their position players -- that received attention from fans, scouts and prospect hounds. That's pretty much how things ended up unfolding; Tulsa had key contributions from a few offensive players, but it was largely the pitching that allowed it to advance to the Texas League Championship Series.</p>
<p>While Tulsa didn't come close to housing the best collection of position-player talent in the organization (that distinction easily went to Asheville), several top 30 prospects took big steps in the right direction while at Double-A.</p>
<p><i>Tulsa batting stats, 2014</i></p>
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<p>At first glance, those are some pretty poor offensive numbers. Not one player amassed an OPS of .800 or better, and the list is littered with low-walk and high-strikeout totals. But when adjusting for park effects and league production, the picture becomes a bit brighter with a few players in particular.</p>
<h4>
<span>Ryan Casteel</span> keeps momentum going</h4>
<p>Casteel (PuRP No. 15) had a breakout season in 2013 at Modesto, hitting .270/.352/.523 with 22 home runs while playing against competition that was, on average, a year older. On the surface, Casteel's production -- most notably, his power -- appeared to slip upon advancing a level, but that wasn't actually the case:</p>
<p><i>Ryan Casteel, year-to-year production</i></p>
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<td></td>
<td>2013</td>
<td>2014</td>
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<td>wRC+</td>
<td>124</td>
<td>125</td>
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<p>A more offense-suppressed league and better competition lowered Casteel's counting stats, but that didn't stop the 23-year-old native of Tennessee from actually posting his best season as a professional.</p>
<h4>
<span>Taylor Featherston</span>, doubles machine</h4>
<p>For a large part of 2014, Featherston (PuRP No. 26) was Tulsa's best and most consistent hitter. The 25-year-old infielder, who like Casteel, is now playing in the Arizona Fall League, posted slug-heavy 116 wRC+ that was helped with 33 doubles, third-most in the Texas League. Featherston has smacked 30 or more two-baggers in each of his last three seasons. He's getting a little long in the tooth, but Featherston has a legitimate shot at making his major league debut at some point next season as the Rockies try to improve their infield depth, which was once again a sore spot in 2014.</p>
<h4>
<span>Trevor Story</span> holds his own</h4>
<p>Story (PuRP No. 4) was the youngest position player on Tulsa's roster when he was promoted from High-A on June 27, and that was clearly evident by his early struggles. But Story wound up nearly cracking double digits in home runs and posted a very respectable walk rate against pitchers three years his superior. The 21-year-old infielder finished slightly below average in terms of production (98 wRC+), but his improvement early on during Arizona Fall League play combined with his first-round pedigree and solid tools across the board make him a promising future big leaguer with an All-Star ceiling and a utility floor.</p>
<h4>
<span>Tom Murphy's</span> season ends early</h4>
<p>In spring training, there were rumblings about Tom Murphy having a real shot at cracking Colorado's major league roster at some point during 2014, but those hopes were dashed pretty early on when Murphy went down with a season-ending shoulder injury. The University of Buffalo product struggled a bit at first, but he began to establish a nice pace -- he hit .278/.395/.556 with a 16.1 percent walk rate in May -- before the injury. If he can get healthy, there's a chance the Rockies' catching situation will work itself out sooner rather than later. But the fact that he missed almost four months can't be a good thing, and there's almost no available information on how he's progressing.</p>
https://www.purplerow.com/2014/10/28/7085931/tulsa-hitters-rockies-prospects-2014-seasonBryan Kilpatrick2014-10-27T20:47:23-06:002014-10-27T20:47:23-06:00Aquino leads mediocre Modesto pitching staff
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<figcaption>Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Modesto Nuts were not particularly good at pitching, but Jayson Aquino provides hope that the staff will produce at least one big leaguer.</p> <p>Let's get this out of the way first: the Modesto Nuts did not have good pitching this year. You probably could have guessed that by looking at Modesto's 43-97 record on the year. The High A California League has some of the most offense-friendly ballparks in professional baseball, but Modesto's John Thurman field is not one of them. In fact, John Thurman field is one of the stingiest home run parks relative to the rest of its league in the whole minor league system.</p>
<p>That's a boon to the pitching staff of the Nuts, of course, but unfortunately this year's edition still wasn't too effective. Here are the stats for every pitcher who took the mound for Modesto this year:</p>
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<p>Pretty depressing at first blush - and all subsequent blushes. In fact, included in the above table are three position players (David Bergin, <span>Jordan Ribera</span>, and <span>Dean Espy</span>) who appeared as pitchers for the Nuts this year. The Nuts also got rehab starts from three pitchers who started for the Rockies in 2014 in <span>Jhoulys Chacin</span>, <span>Jordan Lyles</span>, and <span>Eddie Butler</span> - but only Lyles provided a particularly good outing.</p>
<p>Modesto's team 5.00 ERA in what is nominally a pitcher's park is abysmal. The 23 year-old Matt Flemer (165 innings pitched, 4.53 ERA, 4.35 FIP, 1.30 WHIP) shouldered the biggest load and produced respectable results, which is more than Ben Alsup or Devin Burke - 2nd and 3rd in innings pitched for Modesto this year - can say. Flemer's season amid the dreck in Modesto this year was welcome, but realistically the top priority for prospect hounds and scouts when looking at Modesto's pitchers was <span>Jayson Aquino</span>.</p>
<p>Aquino, a 21 year-old lefty currently extending his season with a spot in the Arizona Fall League, was the only Modesto pitcher considered by many to be a true prospect for the Nuts - <a href="http://www.purplerow.com/2014/7/25/5936507/rockies-prospect-list-top-30-summer-2014-purple-row">placing 21st in the most recent Purple Row Prospects poll</a>. He's notable largely because of his dominance at the lower levels rather than particularly glowing scouting reports. Aquino had been dominant every season he pitched for the <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> organization - until he moved to Low A ball late last year. Until the move to Asheville, Aquino had a career line of 22-7, 1.53 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, and a 8.4 K/9 rate over 282.2 innings. In other words, his performance as a professional had been pretty ridiculous.</p>
<p>Once you get over the crazy numbers, it's important to consider context. Aquino pitched in the DSL for 2.5 years, which does suppress power particularly. It's an environment where pitchers with great control like Aquino can thrive by pitching to contact. Then again, while Aquino didn't strike out as many hitters in Grand Junction (7.5 K/9) and Tri-City (6.3 K/9), he was pretty darn effective in both spots (2.31 ERA, 1.04 WHIP over 66 IP between the two).</p>
<p>Aquino struggled a little bit for the first time in his career in the move to Asheville (4.78 ERA, 1.36 WHIP) and he continued those struggles this year in Modesto. In 95 innings with the Nuts, Aquino posted a 5.40 ERA, 4.47 FIP, 1.51 WHIP, and 7.0 K/9 rate against players that are on average two years older than him. The ERA/FIP discrepancy indicates that perhaps Aquino was a little unfortunate, but the fact that he was giving up more than a hit per inning isn't great news for a prospect with relatively poor K numbers.</p>
<p>Still, Aquino was promoted to Tulsa at the end of the year and has looked good thus far in the AFL. Presuming he repeats at AA this year, he'll be young for the level with just enough potential (and a 40 man roster spot) to perhaps get a big league call when the 2015 staff inevitably implodes due to injury and ineffectiveness.</p>
<p>As for the other pitchers, there's always a big league shot for guys like Flemer, Alving Mejias, Peter Tago, and others, but it's an awfully long one. Here's hoping they prove me wrong. In a good way, I mean. With the health the Rockies have had on the pitching staff of late, they might need another 15 starters next year.</p>
https://www.purplerow.com/2014/10/27/7080843/modesto-pitchers-rockies-prospects-2014-season-jayson-aquinoJeff Aberle2014-10-24T10:00:04-06:002014-10-24T10:00:04-06:00Rockies 2014 minor league review: Modesto hitters
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<img alt="Trevor Story bounced back in his second try at Modesto." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hG4WcO0_OpPz7IWjSz55x-vZtFw=/44x82:924x669/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/42594618/Story.0.JPG" />
<figcaption>Trevor Story bounced back in his second try at Modesto. | Charlie Drysdale</figcaption>
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<p>The best hitters only played half a season in Modesto, which might explain their place in the standings.</p> <p>The Modesto Nuts' 97-loss season this year was the worst season in the California League since the San Jose Bees lost 109 games in 1987. A major contributor in this ignoble season was the lack of offense to come out of Modesto. Part of it could be attributed to injuries, such as the bad wrist that made a mockery of Rosell Herrera's year. A major part of the problem was that <a href="https://www.purplerow.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rockies</a> players simply stumbled once they faced the advanced pitching of High-A ball.</p>
<p>The players who did perform, were only available in half a season. As <span>Trevor Story</span> was promoted just after the all-star break and <span>David Dahl</span> battled an injury that kept him in Asheville until July. This is a list of the top performers for the Modesto Nuts this season, although every one of them wore a Nuts jersey for just a short amount of time.</p>
<h4>Trevor Story - .332/.436/.582, 5 HR, 20 SB, 164 wRC+</h4>
<p><b>Shortstop, 1<sup>st</sup> round 2011 draft</b></p>
<p>Rebounding from a nightmare season in 2013, Trevor Story provided an impressive campaign with his repeat performance in High-A Modesto. The Texas native improved nearly one hundred points on his batting average over the year and performed well enough to be named to the California league's mid-season All-Star team.</p>
<p>Part of Trevor's success can be attributed to his reduction in strikeouts, considered an Achilles heel of the young infielder, his improvement saw a decline from 33% to 27%. His season was one of the top five offensive performances in the league, and was bolstered with 20 stolen bases in just 50 games.</p>
<p>Listed at 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds, Story is similar in stature to <span>Josh Rutledge</span>, but displays a stronger arm, with more home run potential. Considered nearly two years younger than the average High-A player, the 21-year-old was out of action for nearly three weeks due to a broken finger which required surgery to repair. Despite the missed time, Trevor's success in Modesto prompted a mid-season promotion to Double-A Tulsa, where he'll most likely continue at that level in New Britain next season. Story has incredible potential at a premium position, but needs to prove he can overcome his contact issues and combine his power numbers with a strong batting average.</p>
<h4>Michael Tauchman - .294/.386/.452, 4 HR, 9 SB, 121 wRC+</h4>
<p><b>Outfield, 10<sup>th</sup> round 2013 draft</b></p>
<p>Battling a hamstring injury for the first half of the season, Michael Tauchman didn't appear in a Modesto uniform until nearly July. But the left-handed hitter quickly regained his swing and showed off a solid hit tool reinforcing his two-level jump from Short-season Tri City to High-A Modesto in just one year.</p>
<p>Drafted out of Bradley in the tenth round of the 2013 draft, Tauchman led all Division I baseball with a .425 average. Primarily a gap hitter, Tauchman's excels at working the count to get on base, while also limiting his strikeouts. Tauchman is likely to be promoted to Double-A New Britain next season in order to clear room for the talented crop of outfielders moving up from Asheville.</p>
<h4>David Dahl - .267/.296/.467, 4 HR, 3 SB, 93 wRC+</h4>
<p><b>Centerfield, 1<sup>st</sup> round 2012 draft</b></p>
<p>Rebounding from a disastrous 2013, David Dahl earned a mid-season promotion to High-A Modesto, where he put up solid numbers that reinforced his place at the top of the Rockies offensive prospects list. Modesto can be a tough park to hit home runs, as demonstrated by <span>Nolan Arenado</span> in 2011, when he hit just six of his 20 home runs at home. Dahl had similar issues in Modesto where he had 14 extra bases hits in just 29 games, but launched three of his four home runs on the road.</p>
<p>Dahl's power display was impressive considering the Alabama native suffered from an injured wrist throughout the season. Who knows what could have happened with a clear bill of health, but injury concerns are something to keep an eye on with the left-handed hitter, as he also missed much of last season with a hamstring injury.</p>
<p>Showcased primarily in centerfield, Dahl was lauded for his defensive prowess throughout the season. Demonstrating good instincts and a strong arm, Dahl finished the year with 14 outfield assists between Asheville and Modesto.</p>
<p>The Rockies No. 10 overall pick in the first round of the 2012 draft, David will be just 21-years-old at the start of next season. This year he was nearly three years younger than the average High-A player, and it's likely we'll see him return to Modesto with a chance for a quick promotion to Double-A. Fast and with a strong build, Dahl isn't that far away from making the big jump to Coors Field. This next year could be an exciting season for the left-handed hitter.</p>
https://www.purplerow.com/2014/10/24/7056213/modesto-hitters-rockies-prospects-2014-season-led-by-trevor-storyCharlie772014-10-23T14:21:17-06:002014-10-23T14:21:17-06:002014 Rox minor league review: Asheville pitchers
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<figcaption>Caitlin Rice</figcaption>
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<p>Pitch well. Win baseball. That is the time-tested formula that the Asheville Tourists played to perfection on their way to a championship among a myriad of excellent season-long performances from both the starting rotation and bullpen.</p> <p>It's easy to get excited about the hitting prospects that completely dominated the South Atlantic League this season, but in terms of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Colorado Rockies</a> long-term health, it may just be the pitching staff with the most potential.</p>
<p>There is a bevvy of young arms both in the rotation and bullpen that pitched admirably this year on the way to an Asheville Tourists championship. There are some quick risers and some long term projects but most importantly there are just more rolls of the dice than in previous years in the crapshoot that is pitching prospects.</p>
<h4>Kyle Freeland (21): 0.83 ERA, 7.48 K/9, 1.66 BB/9, 21.2 IP</h4>
<p>The only thing to hesitate about with Kyle Freeland is that he didn't have to pitch a heavy load this season. But his numbers, <a href="http://www.purplerow.com/2014/9/3/6094285/rockies-pitching-coach-interview-ryan-kibler-grand-junction-prospects" target="_blank">reports that he was hitting 97-98 on the radar gun all of a sudden,</a> and the continued praise of his control from coaches and the media are why many believe that Freeland could quickly catch up to the class of <span>Jon Gray</span> and <span>Tyler Anderson</span>.</p>
<p>The incredibly low walk numbers hold up nicely to the reports about his control. It will be nice to see how he responds to being asked to pitch deeper into games next season but so far so good for Kyle Freeland.</p>
<p>Not much else to say about Freeland that hasn't been said already. I'd get geeked. Are you geeked? You probably aren't geeked enough.</p>
<h4>Antonio Senzatela (19): 3.11 ERA, 5.54 K/09, 2.24 BB/9, 144.2 IP</h4>
<p>While I am generally with the stat community in their disparaging of the "win" stat, I think it is worth pointing out that Antonio Senzatela pitched to a record of 15-2.</p>
<p>Yes this says that he probably got a lot of run support. And we know he did. It also speaks to the defense behind him and, of course, a little bit of luck. But there is something to be said for a 19-year old kid stepping into Low-A ball, getting the start on 26 occasions and pitching well enough and long enough to walk away with 15 wins while only being charged for two losses. There is something to be said for pitching to your park, your defense, your opponent, and the dynamics of the game you are in. It can often be used in eye-roll worthy contexts, but this is what guys like Bob Apodaca mean when they say "he knows how to win."</p>
<p>And it's not as if Senzatela's other numbers aren't impressive. Sure, he doesn't strike out a ton of guys, but he keeps the walks relatively low and that's a pretty derned impressive ERA for the home ballpark he played in, especially at his age. Add it all up and, unless you are just a stickler for strikeouts, Senzatela should have increased his value dramatically with his performance this season.</p>
<h4>Johendi Jiminian (21): 3.99 ERA, 7.15 K/9, 2.68 BB/9, 151.0 IP</h4>
<p>If strikeouts <i>are</i> your thing, then Jiminian is your guy. Jiminian has the kind of mix you want from a guy to get punch-outs; natural power and big sweeping breaking pitches.</p>
<p>He led the team in innings pitched and strikeouts but also issued more walks than any other pitcher and more wild pitches by nine over the next closest guy.</p>
<p>So wildness is a bit of an issue, though perhaps it works for him as he gave up only seven home runs on the season. The next best rotation pitcher for Asheville in that regard was Senzatela with 11 dingers surrendered.</p>
<p>Jiminian is an exciting power pitcher who could stick in the rotation if he can continue this kind of production at the higher levels or be converted into a bullpen guy eventually if he struggles in order to take advantage of his swing-and-miss stuff.</p>
<h4>Alex Balog (21): 3.95 ERA, 6.82 K/9, 2.45 BB/9, 150.1 IP</h4>
<p>You could pretty much cross-apply everything I said about Jiminian's style here with Alex Balog. He's a power pitcher with a big breaking curve ball and he managed to miss a lot of bats this season. He was also a workhorse with 150.1 IP which is an excellent sign since his 2013 campaign was essentially lost to injury.</p>
<p>Balog is a great big dude with intimidating stuff, so as long as his numbers look relatively spicy -- and again, in that ballpark they do -- he will remain a name bandied about in PuRP talk.</p>
<h4>Konner Wade (22): 3.61 ERA. 5.69 K/9, 2.22 BB/9, 142.0 IP</h4>
<p>Another good sign. Wade pitched only 65 innings last season and battled injury as well. He needed this season and his overall numbers not only panned out quite nicely but he was also dominant in a number of individual games down the stretch.</p>
<p>He is a bit older than the other guys, but remember that he only had those 65 innings of pro-ball before putting together this season with Asheville. Like almost every guy in his clubhouse, Konner Wade just had an excellent season and will really start to turn heads if he can repeat at a higher level next year.</p>
<h4>Zach Jemiola (20): 5.06 ERA, 5.82 K/9, 2.91 BB/9, 142.1 IP</h4>
<p>In many ways it was a tough year for Jemiola, who was more hittable more often than either he or his coaches would like. There are couple of important things to keep in perspective while looking at Jemiola's numbers however.</p>
<p>First, he basically lost an entire year to injury two seasons ago, so he is only 20 (and six months) and only in his second full season of professional ball. Secondly, he pitched in 15 games this season in which he went at least five innings and gave up two or fewer runs. He got deeper into games more regularly than his counterparts and would get tagged late in games while trying to preserve an excellent bullpen.</p>
<p>Jemiola's ERA took a hit but he did his job. Of course, the flip side to that is that too often he was chased early in games when he didn't have his best stuff and/or location. Jemiola may be a good candidate to repeat this level next season and hopefully take over as the staff ace. Though keeping this team together and continually challenging him against old hitters could work out as well.</p>
<h4>Troy Neiman (23): 1.59 ERA, 10.10 K/9, 2.38 BB/9, 79.1 IP</h4>
<p>Hellllllllooooooo Neiman. He is the oldest entrant on the list thus far which tempers the excitement but you can't pitch much better as an all-purpose bullpen guy than Troy Neiman did for the Asheville Tourists in 2014.</p>
<p>He led the bullpen in innings by a wide margin and struck out over 10 per nine innings. He recorded six saves, gave up only three home runs, and struck out 92 batters on the year. Nicely done.</p>
<h4>Trent Blank (25): 2.48 ERA, 7.15 K/9, 1.46 BB/9, 61.2 IP</h4>
<p>Blank did <i>just</i> turn 25 this month but there is no way of getting around that he is a bit old for this level.</p>
<p>But he is a pitcher named Blank! So, who cares? He did his fair share of blanking opponents this season and although this guys may be praying on younger competition, this team did a pretty good job of proving how important having a lights out bullpen can be to the overall success of a team.</p>
<p>Blank may not end up being a difference maker at the MLB level but he may be one of the most important glue pieces helping this young team evolve together. He is a guy the young pitchers trust handing the ball to and that ain't such a bad thing.</p>
<p><b>The rest of the bullpen:</b></p>
<p>Other names out of the pen to keep an eye on include Trent Daniel, a 24-year old who 3.12 ERA in 60.2 relief innings, and 22-year old Dylan Stamey and 21-year old Carlos Estevez. Estevez in particular has shown a strikeout ability but also a propensity to give up the long ball, and the best personality on the team. Or any team.</p>
<p>2015 is going to be a <i>huge </i>year on the farm.</p>
https://www.purplerow.com/2014/10/23/7050057/2014-colorado-rockies-minor-league-review-asheville-pitchers-show-aDrew Creasman2014-10-22T20:27:56-06:002014-10-22T20:27:56-06:00Rockies minor league review: Asheville hitters
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<figcaption>Caitlin Rice</figcaption>
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<p>The Asheville Tourists were monsters in all aspects of the game of baseball on their way to winning the South Atlantic League championship. Purple Row takes a look at the offensive stand-outs. It was all of them.</p> <p>The Asheville Tourist hitters were really, <i>really</i>, good in 2014. No reason to be more clever than that.</p>
<p>You don't win a baseball championship in any league at any level without contributions from a lot of guys, and Asheville was no exception. Their South Atlantic League championship came with so many standout performances that it was rare not to see one. Try not to get too excited, though.</p>
<p>Wait, what the hell am I saying? Of course you should be excited. Check this out.</p>
<h4>Raimel Tapia (OF, 20): .326/.382/.453, 9 HR, 33 SB, 134 wRC+</h4>
<p>The player I once called "a blank canvass you can dream on" is beginning to take shape in recognizable and tantalizing form.</p>
<p>Raimel Tapia, depending on who you ask, is either the most exciting position player prospect in the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> system or the recipient of far too much hype. One of the main reasons for hesitation is his unusual batting stance quirk: an exaggerated crouch that he regularly but not constantly employs.</p>
<p>The other primary criticism lies in his less than stellar on-base numbers which can be disconcerting for a skinny kid who has yet display consistent power. When seeing him in person, his approach reminded me of two other left-handed hitters and so I ran some numbers.</p>
<p>Player A: .326 BA, 6.5 BB%, 16.7K%, .382 OBP</p>
<p>Player B: .295 BA, 5.2 BB%, 10.8 K%, .343 OBP</p>
<p>Player C: .317 BA, 5.8 BB%, 14.7 K%, .369 OBP</p>
<p>Player A, you probably realized by now, is Raimel Tapia this year in Asheville. The other guys numbers are for their rather long MLB careers and so are not directly comparable but both were incredibly successful lead-off hitters who made up for a lack of walking by rarely striking out, much in the way Tapia has done thus far in his MiLB career.</p>
<p>Player B is <span>Juan Pierre</span> and Player C is Ichiro Suzuki. Both had unusual swings (especially Ichiro) and managed to make careers out of the thing that is Raimel Tapia's calling card; an ability to square up the baseball no matter where it's pitched.</p>
<p>Tapia has been given a projected 60 hit tool by most scouts and even a 70 by a few publications (which is rare and really good) and his .326 batting average was good for third best in the South Atlantic League</p>
<p>if he can take to Modesto next season in that league and in that park, it'll be time to start getting really excited.</p>
<h4>
<span>David Dahl</span> (OF, 20): .309/.347/.500, 10 HR, 18 SB, 133 wRC+</h4>
<p>David Dahl had the year he needed to have. He stayed healthy and productive even through a promotion and after returning to Asheville for the playoffs.</p>
<p>He continues to display the proverbial five-tool set, providing production with athleticism and skill alike. Like Tapia (and the other comparisons I mentioned) Dahl doesn't walk a ton but doesn't strike out much either. That spiked a bit after his jump to Modesto but we will get to that when we discuss the Nuts season.</p>
<p>He walked at 5.5 percent and struck out at 15.4 percent in Asheville. Coaches praise his approach, willingness to take pitches, and hit the ball where it is pitched to all fields, which may manifest in better on base numbers as pitchers grow more selective with him at the higher levels.</p>
<p>Either that, or hopefully he will fall more into the mold of low walk, low strikeout guys who still give tough at-bats and know how to take a walk when they really need one.</p>
<p>Dahl's defensive prowess is the thing that keeps him over Tapia for now in my book (though Tapia is no slouch there) and also that he has shown an ability to hang at a tough pitchers park in Modesto. Next year will be a <i>huge</i> season for Dahl.</p>
<h4>Correlle Prime (1B, 20): .291/.336/.520, 21 HR, 8 SB, 134 wRC+</h4>
<p>Speaking of huge seasons, have yourself a summer Mr. Correlle Prime. The best name in the system also had arguably the best season of the season, showcasing the power necessary to stick at first base.</p>
<p>Prime has been steadily growing into his 6'7 frame and it showed this year with 21 home runs, good for third in the SAL, and 48 doubles which landed him in first place in the league. Correlle was arguably the best power hitter in the South Atlantic League in 2014.</p>
<p>And although he repeated Grand Junction a few times, he is still only 20-years old. Modesto is where power goes to die. If Prime can show any semblance of the extra base hit ability he exhibited this year in his next campaign, he may make a play for a top ten PuRP spot.</p>
<h4>Ryan McMahon (3B, 19): .282/.358/.502, 18 HR, 8 SB, 137 wRC+</h4>
<p>It's insane that Ryan McMahon is the youngest player on this list.</p>
<p>He started out gangbusters and cooled off a little bit mid-season, but wRC+ loves that he hit more home runs on the road than at home (and so do I) and scouts still consider him the guy with the most raw power on this roster. McMahon tied Correlle Prime for the league lead at 102 RBI and tallied one more double at 49.</p>
<p>McMahon was second in the SAL in OPS and reports on his defense remain positive despite a high number of errors. He has the athleticism to remain at third base and with some fine tuning he should be fine. I still wouldn't rule out a look in either right field or first base but Ryan's ability to boom with the stick will determine his future.</p>
<h4>
<span>Wilfredo Rodriguez</span> (C, 20): .310/.359/.399, 3 HR, 2 SB, 112 wRC+</h4>
<p>He is who we thought he was; a singles hitting catcher whose getting better and better with the glove behind the plate. Wilfredo doesn't bring much power but he does bring consistency at the place. His .310 is not the product of hot streaks and slumps but of a guy with a solid approach who doesn't go long without putting the ball in play.</p>
<p>If he is never going to develop power, his defense will need to become his calling card in order to separate himself from the Rockies suddenly very deep catcher position prospects.</p>
<h4>
<span>Jose Briceno</span> (C, 22): .283/.336/.476, 12 HR, 8 SB, 125 wRC+</h4>
<p style="font-size: 11.8181819915771px;">For a guy who came into the season as a very raw project player, Jose Briceno showed the kind of progress the Rockies were hoping for. Reports on his arm remain about as positive as they can get while the rest of his defense remains a work in progress.</p>
<p>Briceno was a real threat at the plate this year, backing up 12 home runs with 23 doubles and regularly coming through in clutch situations with men on base. In 91 games played he had 57 RBI, usually hitting late in the lineup.</p>
<h4>Pat Valaika (SS , 21): .370/.407/.575, 4 HR, 12 SB, 168 wRC+</h4>
<p>Pat Valaika was killing Low-A Asheville -- as the above numbers suggest -- through 34 games before he got the call to Modesto.</p>
<p>He didn't perform as well there (though few people hit as well in Modesto as they do in Asheville) but has pretty much shown that he is ready for the next level. It will be interesting to see how he handles the league in a likely repeat next year.</p>
<h4>
<span>Michael Benjamin</span> (2B, 22): .341/.385/.566, 12 HR, 25 SB, 161 wRC+</h4>
<p>Benjamin doesn't have the pedigree or praise from scouts that other guys have, and while he wasn't old for the league, he wasn't young for it either at 22. Still his numbers this year were pretty damn impressive and was inarguably instrumental in bringing a championship to the Tourists.</p>
<p>He's got a real nice power and speed combo for a second baseman. He needs to be able to produce at the higher levels to win over prospect hounds though.</p>
<h4>Jordan Patterson (OF, 22): .278/.359/.430, 14 HR, 25 SB, 121 wRC+</h4>
<p>You just don't find too many 6'5 outfielders with cannon arms who can hit double digit home runs and steal 20+ bases. Jordan is still a bit raw for his age but his body-type, attitude, and numbers this year suggest he may be a late bloomer.</p>
<p>Like just about everyone else, he will need to prove it at higher levels and in less hitter friendly parks, but Patterson is an intriguing prospect in only his second year of professional ball who simply has too much raw talent to ignore.</p>
<h4>
<span>Emerson Jimenez</span> (SS, 19): .259/.276/.342, 1 HR, 16 SB, 70 wRC+</h4>
<p>Jimenez did not have a great season at the plate but he is on this list because he is a defensive wizard and still only 19-years old. With all that in mind, those offensive numbers aren't terrible. I hope Jimenez repeats Asheville next season in attempt to allow his bat to catch up with his glove.</p>
https://www.purplerow.com/2014/10/22/7041433/2014-colorado-rockies-minor-league-review-asheville-hitters-south-atlantic-league-championshipDrew Creasman