Rockies Minor Leaguers That Can Make a Major Impact

For the past decade, the Rockies have constantly relied on their prospects to make their way to the MLB and carry the franchise. From Blackmon to Arenado, to Story, to Dahl, and now Doyle, they’ve always been able to carve stars out of kids. Most of the time, though, it ends ugly, but that’s not what we’ll be talking about today. 

Since the beginning of the AAA season last month, the Rockies affiliate Albuquerque Isotopes has hit the 5th most homers of the PCL at 27, and are 3rd in OPS through 24 games this season. The leader of the home run column for the ‘topes was Hunter Goodman, which earned him a call-up subsequently leading to a three-run home run against San Diego on Thursday that traveled 448 feet. However, he wasn’t tops in OPS because that spot goes to Sean Bouchard, who was called up when Bryant hit the IL. Now, the guy who is still in AAA and is still absolutely raking leads the team in RBI and hits and is the Rockies #4 and MLB #73 prospect, Jordan Beck. Through 22 games this season, Beck has 28 hits, 16 of which are extra bases (leads PCL), and has knocked in 28. Even though he was drafted in the 2022 draft, he has found his way to AAA, and one would think he nears a call-up to the majors.

Sam Hilliard was a late addition in the offseason, but he has made a quick impact. Through his first 20 games this season, he’s hit .333 with 10 XBH and has even robbed a home run. It’s not MLB-worthy stats, but he’s trending in the right direction.

If you’re not exactly thrilled with the Rockies current pitching staff, you won’t be a fan of the ‘topes pitching staff. Team ERA is sitting at the bottom with an 8.48 due to giving up 196 runs in 24 games. They have given up 40 home runs and 270 hits, which translates to a .311 BAA. There is always a silver lining though, and for the ‘topes, that is Riley Pint. The former major leaguer has pitched 13 innings and has given up only seven hits and 4 runs while striking out 24, which leads the team even though he’s a reliever. Overall, the Isotopes are 6-18 so far this season, which goes right along with what the Rockies are doing. With the standout players heading to the majors, it opens up spots for AAA call-ups from AA, and it allows players to make a name for themselves.

The AA Hartford Yard Goats have only played 17 games this season and have a record of 10-7. Four of the top six Rockie prospects currently play for the Goats, including the #1 Adael Amador. Through the young season, a couple of players do stand out. Rockies #6 Zac Veen leads the team with 18 hits and a .443 OBP. The former #1 prospect has stolen seven of eight attempted stolen bases, which is three fewer stolen bases than the current #1 Amador, who has 10.  The leader in OPS for the Goats is someone who hasn’t been to Rockies Spring Training, and that is 1B Zach Kokoska with a 1.076. Out of his 14 hits, 10 of them are XBH. Between Fernadez and Kokoska they have 26 RBI.

On the pitching side of things, the Goats have two starters with an ERA below 2.00. Carson Palmquist has a 1.23 ERA in 22 IP, giving up only three runs on 15 hits with 32 strikeouts. The other starter is Andrew Quezada, who has a 1.29 ERA in 14 IP, giving up only two runs on nine with 12 strikeouts. Reliever Evan Shawver has given up zero runs in 8.2 innings and has given up only four hits. Other Yard Goat relievers with an ERA below 2.0 include Austin Kitchen with a 1.08 in 8.1, Alec Barger with 0.00 in 5.2, Angle Chivilli with 1.59 in 5.2, and Dugan Darnell with a 0.00 in 4.0 innings pitched. Hartford, as a whole, has a 4.25-team ERA and 153 strikeouts. There are a lot of good things to look forward to from the Yard Goats.

The top performer for the High A Spokane Indians is the Rockies #28 prospect Kyle Karros. Karros has a .349 AVG with 10 XBH out of 22 hits. He also leads the team with 14 RBI and an OPS of 1.009 in 17 games. The Indians are currently 13-4.

The Low A Fresno Grizzlies sit at the top of their division with a 12-4 record. Their top performers are 19-year-old Andy Perez, 2019 Pittsburgh draft pick Jake Snider and 2023 draft pick Braylen Wimmer. The three of them all have an OPS over 1.000, with Snider coming in at 1.373. They combine for 38 RBI with 54 hits. They are also keeping their strikeout totals low, combining for only 22.

So even though the Rockies are struggling now, the pipeline is showcasing what our future could hold. Whether it's an early impact from Jordan Beck, or a slow developing Andy Perez, the future is bright.