Mac Lyons | @JMacLyons | April 5th, 2024

The Fresno Grizzlies are returning to action tonight for the 2024 season loaded with talent throughout the Rockies pipeline. As the Single-A affiliate of the Rockies, Fresno is where plenty of fresh draft picks make their debuts and provides a new pro opportunity for international signings who have yet to play for a full-season affiliate. Highlighted by the #20 and #21 ranked prospects Jack Mahoney and Jake Madden on the mound and college standout INF/OF Braylen Wimmer, Fresno has some intriguing talent set to take the field. Keep an eye on LHP Isaiah Coupet and INF Aidan Longwell as other potential standouts who will put on the Grizzlies’ uniform at Chukchansi Park for what’s set to be Fresno’s 26th season of baseball since their inception in 1998. 

Pitchers

RHP Collin Baumgartner

2023 Stats (High-A): 0-0, 6.75 ERA, 4.0 IP,  6.2 BB%, 25.0 K%

2023 Stats (NCAA): 6-1, 3.62 ERA, 79.2 IP, 6.4 BB%, 21.6 K%

Baumgartner hasn’t gotten much time to play professional baseball yet, so the 2024 season will be his first real test. He had a brief stint in Spokane last season, where he only threw four IP, giving up three ER and 2 BB while getting four K. He’s a bit of a journeyman, pitching for Southern Illinois Edwards for four seasons before ending his college career at Kansas, where he had an incredible 2023 season. Hopefully, Baumgartner can carry the success he had as a Jayhawk over to Fresno.

LHP Braden Carmichael

2023 Stats (High-A): 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 6.1 IP, 0 BB%, 28.5 K%

2023 Stats (ACL): 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 2.2 IP, 16.6 BB%, 41.6 K%

2023 Stats (NCAA): 7-1, 3.39 ERA, 77.0 IP, 5.2 BB%, 18.1 K% 

Carmichael signed with the Rockies during the summer after a standout year at Oklahoma where he was selected to the All-Big 12 First Team. He spent time in both the ACL and High-A with Spokane. His outings in both leagues were brief, but Carmichael made the most of his time and earned nine K across 6.1 IP. The lefty will start his first full pro season with Fresno where he aims to continue his three year streak of having a winning record on the mound.

LHP Isaiah Coupet

2023 Stats (NCAA): 4-3, 3.55 ERA, 50.2 IP, 7.6 BB%, 34.6 K%

The Rockies took Coupet in the fourth-round of the 2023 Amateur Draft, and besides a couple of games in the ACL and very short outing in Fresno during the tail-end of 2023, the 2024 season will be the first step of Coupet’s journey into professional baseball after finishing his three years at Ohio State where he struck out droves of batters. The slim left-hander doesn’t throw very hard (89-92) but he may have the best breaking balls in the entire minor league system–seriously. Coupet was also added to the Rockies Spring Breakout roster, but didn’t make his way into the game. One of the several southpaws on this roster, look for Coupet to get a chance to start, although his long-term future may be in the bullpen.

LHP Austin Emener 

2023 Stats (NCAA): 2-3, 5.40 ERA, 53.1 IP, 15.1 BB%, 23.4 K%

A relief pitcher out of East Tennessee University, Emener was taken in the 16th round of the 2023 Draft. The lefty had a record of 2-4 throughout 15 games in his final season before being drafted, where he also had a 5.40 ERA. In the ACL, Emener had 3.2 IP across five games, striking out seven and walking two while only allowing two runs. The lefty sits around 90-93 with a promising mid-80s changeup and a slower slurvy slider.

LHP Stu Flesland III 

2023 Stats (NCAA): 7-2, 4.12 ERA, 89.2 IP, 7.1 BB%, 21.3 K%

The first of two hurlers who attended Mount Spokane High School that are on the Fresno roster, Flesland spent the last four seasons in the NCAA playing for Boise State and the University of Washington, with the final three being with the Huskies. Flesland saw his time on the mound increase every season, and it wasn’t until his senior year did he find himself in a starting role, where he earned All-Pac-12 Honors. His 6-foot-5 frame gives him plenty of arm extension, though Flesland is unexpectedly just 88-91 with his fastball. Should he find some more whip and strength in his arm, to go along with his promising changeup feel, he could become a force in this system.

LHP Caleb Franzen

2023 Stats (Single-A): 4-5, 4.22 ERA, 113.0 IP, 8.5 BB%, 22.0 K%

As far as Franzen’s pitching ability goes, there’s a wide range of tools within his arsenal. Franzen showed this throughout all 113 IP (21 starts/22 appearances) during the 2023 season spent with Fresno. As a Grizzly, Franzen’s ERA hovered at 4.22, while his strikeout and walk rates were both around average. The University of Portland product sits in the low-90s but has a quality slider and changeup that have kept him in the rotation thus far. Franzen figures to bounce between long-relief and the rotation this season.

LHP Bryson Hammer

2023 Stats (ACL): 5.06 ERA, 5.1 IP, 8.0 BB%, 24.0 K%

2023 Stats (NCAA): 5-4, 5.16 ERA, 45.1 IP, 14.6 BB%, 23.4 K%

We haven’t seen much of Hammer other than his five appearances in the ACL. Drafted in the 12th-round of the 2023 Draft out of Dallas Baptist University, the left-hander went 5-4 with a 5.46 ERA throughout 14 games in his final season. Hammer lives up to his name, capable of throwing a devastating curveball, along with a deceptive and hard changeup. The southpaw can gun up to 95 as well. Despite his lesser draft pick, Hammer has all the talent to become an MLB reliever if he can limit the walks.

LHP Welinton Herrera  

2023 Stats (ACL): 2-0, 3.27 ERA, 22.0 IP, 15.3 BB%, 36.7 K%

Herrera turned 20 on Wednesday, just in time for the Grizzlies season kickoff. The Rockies signed Herrera early in 2021 and he finally came stateside last year to debut in the ACL. This will be Herrera’s first full season campaign, and based solely upon his age, Herrera clearly has talent though there will be leniency with regards to his performance. The 6-foot lefty has struck out a ton of batters at every stop and has a chance to become a legitimate prospect this season.

RHP Brady Hill

2023 Stats (Single-A): 2-0, 7.62 ERA, 26.0 IP, 11 BB%, 13.5 K%

2023 Stats (ACL): 0-0, 0.75 ERA, 12.0 IP, 7.3 BB%, 34.1 K%

Hill has very limited experience on the mound. Brought into college as a speedy centerfielder, Hill converted to pitching just in 2022 at San Jose State. Hill signed with the Rockies and appeared in 24 games for the Grizzlies during the 2023 season. With a 7.62 ERA, 13 BB, and 16 K, over the span of 26 IP, more is to be desired from Hill but with how new he is to pitching, patience is granted. In his first year pitching at San Jose State, Hill was already touching 97 and flashing a plus upper-80s slider but strike throwing is a work in progress. Hailing from Spokane, Washington, Hill most likely wants to earn a promotion to pitch in his hometown, but for right now he’ll have to prove himself here in Fresno.

RHP Tyler Hoffman

2023 Stats (Single-A): 2-1, 6.85 ERA, 23.2 IP, 13.7 BB%, 22.9 K%

2023 Stats (ACL): 2-0, 7.62 ERA, 26.0 IP, 19.3 BB%, 19.3 K%

The righty out of Tulane was a starter until he transitioned into a relief role during the final year of his collegiate career. Hoffman began his professional career in Fresno as a reliever though to limited results. Hoffman’s 6.85 ERA, 21 walks, and 31 K across 24 total games with Fresno were unsightly figures but Hoffman has arm talent and the ability to strike hitters out. Hoffman will find himself coming out of the bullpen once again, with hopes the ERA can fall and the strikes can rise.

RHP Jace Kaminska

2023 Stats (NCAA): 7-3, 4.13 ERA, 72.0 IP, 4.9 BB%, 18.6 K% 

Kaminska will debut for Fresno after finishing his junior season at Nebraska during the 2023 season. At Nebraska, Kaminska’s final year saw him earn seven wins and three losses to go along with a 4.13 ERA and 57 strikeouts to just 15 walks across 72 IP. The 6-foot-2, 235 lb righty is a master of the strikezone and has good feel for his fastball and curveball. Expect Kaminska to be one of the later starters in the rotation.

RHP Jack Mahoney

2023 Stats (NCAA): 7-4, 4.16 ERA, 84.1 IP, 7.8 BB%, 22.7 K%

Coming out of the University of South Carolina, Jack Mahoney will be making just his third pro appearance when he steps on the hill for Fresno. Mahoney had Tommy John in 2022 and returned for his final college season in 2023, where he started 17 games for the Gamecocks posting a line of 4.16 ERA with 84 strikeouts to 29 walks. There don’t seem to be lingering elbow issues as Mahoney’s velocity has since returned, touching 97 mph. Mahoney has two fastballs, a slider, and changeup, with a curveball making occasional appearances in college. His changeup has a chance to be great, while his slider should be a reliable offering. Mahoney was taken in the third round of the most recent draft for a reason and the Rockies hope he can continue developing as a starter.

RHP Jake Madden

2023 Stats (Single-A): 2-8, 5.90 ERA, 79.1 IP, 12.7 BB%, 21.4 K%

Arguably the main piece acquired in the Cron and Grichuk deal from the Angels last summer, Madden split time between Inland Empire and Fresno (both Single-A) during 2023, his first season in professional baseball. Unlike his counterpart Mason Albright, who was also acquired in that trade, Madden struggled with the long ball, giving up 11 HR, a complement to his 5.90 ERA. Madden has arguably the best stuff on this roster with a mid-90s fastball, power slider, and promising changeup. He can easily rack up strikeouts but needs to hit his spots with more consistency. Just two years removed from the JUCO level, patience will be key with Madden’s potential, and he has legitimate middle of the rotation upside.

LHP Alberto Pacheco

2023 Stats (Single-A): 7-4, 5.45 ERA, 72.2 IP, 7.2 BB%, 21.5 K%

Pacheco was signed by the Rockies in 2019 when the lefty was 17-years-old. Now a fresh 21-years-old, Pacheco is looking to build on a promising first season with Fresno which saw him start 14 games, finishing with a 5.45 ERA and a 69 strikeouts. Pacheco needs to find more consistency but he’s a promising lefty with strikeout stuff and good control. This could be a name making a push for Rockies top 30 prospect lists in a few months.

RHP Bryan Perez  

2023 Stats (ACL): 1-0, 7.42 ERA, 36.1 IP, 8.8 BB%, 20.5 K%

Perez, the nephew of Edinson Volquez, is set to make his full season debut with Fresno when the 2024 season begins. The righty started ten games for the Rockies in the ACL, totaling 36.1 IP, though he was nipped by a solid contact and a few home runs. Perez is a player the Rockies think highly of as the 6-foot-2 righty can touch the upper 90s already with potential for a solid breaking ball. As mentioned earlier, Fresno is where a lot of international signings get to put their skills on full display for the first time, with Perez one of the more exciting names this season.

LHP Sam Weatherly  

2021 Stats (Single-A): 4-6, 4.83 ERA, 69.0 IP, 10.8 BB%, 32.4 K%

An injury-ridden stretch has held Sam Weatherly out of baseball since 2022, where his season at High-A ended prematurely due to shoulder surgery. Before the injuries, the Clemson product showed premium talent and athleticism, leaving the question of whether or not his development has hit a lull due to his time away from the game. Weatherly used to be a mid-90s lefty with three promising secondaries, headlined by a high-spin slider. Seeing Weatherly’s name on the Fresno Opening Day roster was thrilling as the lefty has faced a ton of adversity on the injury front. With his durability a topic of concern, the Rockies may opt to maximize Weatherly’s likelihood of reaching the big leagues by placing him in the bullpen, though he absolutely has the stuff and ability to succeed as a starter.

Catchers

Ben McCabe

2023 Stats (NCAA): 266 PA, .371 BA, .466 OBP, 18 HR, 51 RBI, 6.4 BB%, 22.1 K%

From the University of Central Florida, and former battery mates with Connor Staine, McCabe played in the NCAA since 2019 and enjoyed plenty of offensive success during the past two seasons. Defensively, McCabe found himself at 1B for most of his college career, before making the full transition to C in 2023. His short professional stint in the ACL last summer wasn’t anything to write home about, but McCabe’s hoping his output at UCF will translate to Fresno in what will be the catcher’s first full professional season. McCabe has solid power and makes a fair amount of contact, though he gets a little aggressive at the plate. If he can tighten his strike zone, there is promising upside for a bat first catcher here.

Darius Perry

2023 Stats (NCAA): 224 PA, .278 BA, .386 OBP, 3 HR, 31 RBI, 12.1 BB%, 18.7 K%

The Rockies certainly have a preference of players from UCLA. Darius Perry is yet another Bruin set to play in the Rockies organization, and he’ll become the Grizzlies primary catcher when the season begins. Perry’s time at the plate increased in his final college season, and during his six games in the ACL, Perry managed to knock in four runs during 18 PA, finishing with a .375 BA. Perry has excellent defensive chops and it can be argued he’s a likely big leaguer already because of his work behind the plate. Between McCabe and Perry, the Grizzlies are in good hands at the backstop position for 2024.

Infielders

Tevin Tucker

2023 Stats (ACL): 50 PA, .256 BA, .340 OBP, 0 HR, 7 RBI, 10 BB%, 28 K%

2023 Stats (NCAA): 265 PA, .318 BA, .465 OBP, 1 HR, 23 RBI, 15.1 BB%, 18.5 K%

After five seasons at West Virginia, Tevin Tucker brings his talents to Fresno. Tucker wasn’t drafted but found his way into the organization as an undrafted free agent. The Rockies certainly like what they see from Tucker on both sides of the ball. While his offensive output hasn’t been large in quantity, Tucker is patient at the plate and carried a 15.1 BB% that nearly matched his 18.9 K%. Tucker has experience manning SS at a high level, Tucker will be tasked as a key piece of Fresno’s defense. With the other names on this roster, he seems destined to be play some SS and 2B.

Aidan Longwell

2023 Stats (Single-A): 47 PA, .296 BA, .340 OBP, 0 HR, 6 RBI, 6.4 BB%, 21.2 K%

2023 Stats (ACL): 83 PA, .366 BA, .466 OBP, 0 HR, 15 RBI, 10.8 BB%, 10.8 K%

2023 Stats (NCAA): 277 PA, .404 BA, .478 OBP, 10 HR, 75 RBI, 9.7 BB%, 8.3 K%

Longwell played 12 games for the Grizzlies last season after finishing his final year at Kent State where he delivered a stunning .478 OBP. It’s clear Longwell works at bats and finds ways on base, a skill that should translate to the pros. Longwell showed right away he could handle pro pitching and could prove to be a solid draft value for a Rockies organization that is thin on quality bats to play the corner infield. On the other side of the ball, Longwell spent most of his time at 1B, but surprisingly, he was still pitching for Kent State up until his final year where he had 18.2 IP and 25 K. Could Longwell be a dual threat? Probably not, but still, Fresno fans should be excited to see Longwell once again as one of the leaders of their lineup. 

Luis Mendez

2023 Stats (Single-A): 223 PA, .208 BA, .347 OBP, 0 HR, 15 RBI, 16.1 BB%, 22.8 K%

2023 Stats (ACL): 102 PA, .226 BA, .294 OBP, 2 HR, 16 RBI, 9.8 BB%, 27.4 K%

Mendez’s first season with a full-season affiliate wasn’t his best, but he showed he can get on base at a solid rate, even if he’s not finding good wood. From the Dominican Republic, Mendez was signed by the Rockies in 2019. He’s young and wields a lot of raw talent that desperately needs to be developed. Defensively, Mendez struggled in 2023 as well. While playing 55 games for the Grizzlies, Mendez committed 13 errors, which was tied for worst on the team with Dyan Jorge. That defensive showing may push Mendez to 2B a bit more, though he’s come up the pro ranks as a SS to this point. Mendez has a ways to go, and he’s hoping 2024 will wash away his 2023. 

Andy Perez  

2023 Stats (Single-A): 501 PA, .245 BA, .280 OBP, 1 HR, 53 RBI, 3.4 BB%, 14.7 K%

Perez is the youngest player on Fresno’s roster for the 2024 season, despite spending all year with the Grizzlies in 2023. While his lack of power may correlate to his age and the muscle he’s yet to put on, Perez produced respectably for a 19-year-old facing off with a lot of 21-24 year olds. The Rockies clearly wanted to give him as much playing time as possible as Perez has flashed excellent hands on both sides of the ball. Perez’s 501 PA were the most for Fresno, while he also led the team in innings played defensively with a staggering 952.1. Time will tell with Perez, but then again, he has plenty of time to spare, and he could emerge as a solid slap-hitting infielder. 

Outfielders

EJ Andrews Jr.  

2023 Stats (Single-A): 404 PA, .213 BA, .317 OBP, 13 HR, 53 RBI, 11.9 BB%, 31.4 K%

EJ Andrews Jr. is no stranger to Fresno and while that may be because 2024 will be his third season with the Grizzlies, Andrews Jr. played college ball at Fresno State and is from Long Beach, just an hour or two south. Andrews Jr. improved steadily in 2023, boosting his OPS from .667 to .703 in 404 PA along with 829 innings spent in the outfield. If Andrews Jr. can manage to lower his 31.4 K%, there’s a chance he may find himself promoted to Spokane at some point, though he’s likely enjoying the friendly confines of Chuckchansi Park and the familiar city of Fresno. 

Fadriel Cruz

2023 Stats (ACL): 221 PA, .276 BA, .402 OBP, 6 HR, 39 RBI, 16.3 BB%, 23.5 K%

Cruz was signed by the Rockies way back in 2017. He’s only played for the Rox organization in the Dominican Summer League and Arizona Complex League since then, so Cruz is primed to make his full-season debut for Fresno in 2024. Cruz has shown signs in his journey to Fresno that he can be a talented two-way player, walking above 15% both years in the ACL and stealing his share of bags, while mostly playing centerfield. Cruz has a chance to be one of the key lineup cogs for Fresno.

Jake Snider

2023 Stats (Single-A): 447 PA, .261 BA, .369 OBP, 6 HR, 37 RBI, 12.3 BB%, 20.8 K%

Snider is a bit of a journeyman. He’ll be the oldest player on Fresno’s roster when the season begins and spent his playing time in the Pirates’ system up until 2023, when he signed an MiLB contract with the Rockies. Snider shows plenty of discipline at the plate and held down LF for the Grizzlies during 2023, where he only committed one error during the entire season. Snider appears here to be a veteran leader on an otherwise very young roster, but the Rockies will give the soon to be 26-year-old a chance to make a push through the minor league system.

Caleb Hobson

2023 Stats (ACL): 59 PA, .213 BA, .362 OBP, 0 HR, 7 RBI, 16.9 BB%, 27.1 K%

2023 Stats (NCAA): 263 PA, .318 BA, .429 OBP, 6 HR, 39 RBI, 14.4 BB%, 17.8 K%

A 13th round draft pick of the Rockies in 2023, Hobson is heading to the Grizzlies after playing for the University of Tennessee at Martin. Hobson has climbed the collegiate ladder. He began his college career at Northwest Mississippi Community College where he racked up a multitude of accolades before transferring over to UTM. Hobson’s impressive play at the plate is complimented by his exceptional speed and play in the outfield. Hobson didn’t have an error recorded during all of 2023 and he stole 36 bags for UTM. With Hobson, the Grizzlies have themselves another impressive player set to impact the game in a multitude of ways in his full-season debut.

Felix Tena

2023 Stats (ACL): 193 PA, .280 BA, .316 OBP, 0 HR, 26 RBI, 4.7 BB%, 18.6 K%

Like Fadriel Cruz, Felix Tena is another Dominican-born player who earned a considerable amount of playing time in the DSL and ACL before finally getting this opportunity. Cruz and Tena have some similarities as athletic outfielders, while the key difference may be Cruz’s ability to hit the long ball. Tena still needs to mature physically, which would greatly help his batting power, and Fresno will provide an opportunity for Tena to grow into his own.

Jason Hinchman  

2023 Stats (ACL): 195 PA, .302 BA, .426 OBP, 3 HR, 25 RBI, 14.8 BB%, 24.1 K%

Hinchman had an outstanding final year of college ball for Tennessee Tech in 2022 where he slashed a .372 BA to go along with 26 HR and 73 RBI, before signing with the Rockies as an undrafted free agent. Hinchman showed off only some of his abilities at the plate during his time in the ACL last year, getting on base at a .426 clip but only leaving the yard 3 times. He was second only to Fadriel Cruz in PA and RBI. Hinchman will be able to play his game in Fresno, where he’ll undoubtedly try and replicate what he did during college, and what fans saw a glimpse of last fall. Hinchman, like Snider, will provide a mature presence to this club.

Braylen Wimmer  

2023 Stats (ACL): 54 PA, .383 BA, .453 OBP, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 9.2 BB%, 25.9 K%

2023 Stats (NCAA): 256 PA, .304 BA, .409 OBP, 14 HR, 42 RBI, 11.7 BB%, 21.4 K%

Originally a Phillies draft pick before opting to stay another year at South Carolina, the Rockies got Wimmer in the eighth-round of the 2023 Draft. Wimmer didn’t see a ton of time in the ACL, but when he did make his way to the plate he flashed the power he’s become known for (one of Wimmer’s 14 homers last year was a no-doubter off Paul Skenes). Although Wimmer was an infielder during his college career and was utilized in the same way in the ACL, Fresno’s official roster release has him listed as both an infielder and outfielder, so he’ll likely be developed as something of a utility guy with the ability to play SS, 2B, 3B, and apparently the outfield.

This Fresno team isn’t as loaded as in year’s past but there is pitching talent here and plenty of young hitters like Andy Perez, Fadriel Cruz, and Luis Mendez, plus recent draftees in Braylen Wimmer, Darrius Perry, Ben McCabe, Aidan Longwell, and Caleb Hobson set to pursue greater prospect status.

What we’ve seen in the past in Fresno is an impressive MiLB operation that truly helps their roster develop, so they’re the perfect location for the Rockies to leave plenty of unproven talent.