Mid Season Minor League Report

Well, it's the All-Star Break, the Rockies are terrible; why not check out what's going on down on the farm?

Colorado Springs Sky Sox

Ian Strikeout Stewart has cooled off with somewhat. He still has a gaudy slugging percentage (.606), but his stats are trending down, rather than up. He keeps on striking out, too, with 13 in his last 39 ABs. Other than that, there isn't much to rave about. Colonel and Cory Sully are unspectacular, both okay with the bat. They are, however, on the old side. Same with Adam Melhuse, who is also hitting well.

The Sky Sox pitching has been an absolute disaster. Franklin Morales collapsed like a building on the hit FOX reality show When Buildings Collapse. He isn't far from walking a batter an inning. Jason Hirsh is pitching almost as poorly (31 BB in 45.2 IP). Both were supposed to be great prospects and neither is even serviceable at this point. Steven Register is pretty much their only decent pitcher right now. He has a 39/12 K/BB ratio and a 2.93 ERA. It might be a good idea for the Rockies to call him up soon--they could always use bullpen help.

Tulsa Drillers

Dexter Fowler has to be the shining light at the end of the tunnel for the Rockies. I mean, the guy is ridiculous. He is slugging .510 and is getting on base at a .412 clip. Also, if you watched the Futures game on Sunday, you know that he belongs on the US Olympic sprinting team. Eric Young Jr. is getting on base well (.396), but has a very poor stolen base percentage (68%). Tony Blanco is hittin very well (1.036 OPS), but he is also 26, which isn't a good sign for major league contribution as he is about at his peak age in double-A.

On the pitching end, Brandon Hynick looked so good last year, but he is just giving up too many home runs. His 1.68 HR/9 is by far the highest in the Texas League. He's got to figure out some way to fix that or Coors Field, even with the humidor, will eat him alive. Chaz Roe has used his power fastball rather effectively (2.96 ERA). Ryan Mattheus and Casey Weathers are making up a back end of the bullpen tandem and have put up very similar numbers. Both strike out a lot and walk a lot. Weathers has been somewhat better and is more projectable. There's a good chance he'll be in a Rockies uniform by September.

Modesto Nuts

Michael McKenry has overcome his horrible start to have a passable season (.257/.358/.448). It isn't nearly as good as his last season and he is too old for A ball at 23. He could be a very good backup catcher some day (Chris Ianetta, what! What!).

Though their hitting has been on the pathetic side, Modesto has some good pitchers. Keith Weiser (1.11 WHIP) and Aneury Rodriguez (1.13 WHIP) are anchoring the front of the rotation with William Harris (55/11 K/BB ratio) and Andrew Johnston (0.92 WHIP) holding down the bullpen fort. Jhoulys Chacin recently got called up from Asheville and has continued his rocking of hitters with a 0.86 ERA. This guy could be some major league pitcher.

Asheville Tourists

Darin Holcomb destroys. How he got to the 12th round is a mystery--a mystery that only helps the Rockies. His stat line--.337/.409/.550. The other two high-pick hitters, Brian Rike and David Christensen are not looking too good. Rike started hot, but has been awful lately, cooling off to a weak .768 OPS. Christensen has been a disaster (.273 OBP). He was a terrible 2nd round pick anyway you look at it. If he makes the majors, I'll buy a Barry Bonds uniform and wear it at least once a week. Last year's third rounder, Lars Davis has been weak too (.636 OPS).

Last year's fifth rounder, Connor Graham, has posted an unholy 1.92 ERA. His 51 walks in 103.1 IP is a little scary and needs fixing, but it hasn't hurt him so far (it will though). Cory Riordan (3.49 ERA) and Bruce Billings (3.92 ERA) have been solid, if unspectacular. Meanwhile, they have boasted a strong bullpen with Joey Williamson, Edgmer Escalona, Craig Baker and Craig Rodriguez all putting up ERAs in the low 2's.

Extras

George Frazier's little offspring Parker has been jamming for Tri-City (17/3 K/BB ratio). This year's first rounder, Christian Friedrich has got off to an inauspicious start with two earned runs in two earned innings. Here's hoping he turns it around.