Luke Wortman | @LukeW_31 | April 5th, 2024

The Hartford Yard Goats season starts today as they debut a super exciting roster, loaded with many of the top prospects in the Colorado Rockies system! There are certainly question marks to be ironed out with some players (Yanquiel Fernandez, Zac Veen, and Jaden Hill, to name a few), which makes every game a fun watch. It is expected that multiple players on this roster will be playing in Coors by the end of the season.

Pitchers

Alec Barger – RHP

2023 Stats (AA): 43 G, 53.0 IP | 5.60 ERA, 1.528 WHIP | 26.6 K%, 13.1 BB%

• The 26-year old Barger entered the system last trade deadline in exchange for reliever Brad Hand. The former 17th-round pick out of NC State spent the whole season at Double-A last season. He pitched great in the Braves system, but struggled with command once he joined the Rockies organization. Barger gets a solid share of groundballs thanks to his sinker that tops out at 95, commonly sitting in the 92-93 range. He also throws two breaking balls that he is still developing command for. Barger pitched great in the AZ Fall League pitching to a 0.96 ERA with 13 strikeouts in 9 innings so the hope is that he can build off that momentum.

Jarrod Cande – RHP

2023 Stats (A+): 19 G, 105.1 IP | 3.25 ERA, 1.158 WHIP | 25.3 K%, 6.0 BB%

• Cande is arguably the most underrated pitching prospect in this system, even though he pitched to a 3.25 ERA at Spokane last season. The lack of hype is somewhat due to Cande’s status as a former 17th round pick. The Florida Southern College product fulfills two major requirements needed by starting pitchers; he throws strikes and can pitch far into games. The stuff isn’t super explosive, but Cande gets the job done. He’s been pretty dominant in pro ball, and it will be interesting to see how Cande adjusts to higher-level hitters.

Angel Chivilli – RHP

2023 Stats (A+, AA): 53 G, 61.0 IP | 5.61 ERA, 1.426 WHIP | 25.1 K%, 7.7 BB%

• The 6-foot-2, 165 pound Chivilli may not look like a reliever with a ton of potential when he walks up to the mound, but once he starts pitching, it’s clear why he is on the Rockies 40-man. His fastball jumps out of his hand and it pairs with two strong secondaries. The command of the secondaries is the biggest key to his development as Chivilli has the pure stuff to impact a big league bullpen.

Dugan Darnell – RHP

2023 Stats (AA, AAA): 40 G, 54.1 IP | 3.64 ERA, 1.362 WHIP | 27.7 K%, 9.8 BB%

• It was quite surprising to see Darnell on this roster. Not because he doesn’t deserve a roster spot, but because he has definitely proved that he is too talented for this level. Darnell has pitched 77 innings at this level and has dominated, including a 1.55 ERA last season. Darnell has a great arsenal headlined by a fastball that gets to the mid-90s, combined with a nasty split-change and slider, two pitches that are above average. Expect Darnell to be one of the first Yard Goats called up to the Isotopes this season.

Blake Goldsberry – RHP

2023 Stats (AA): 33 G, 44.1 IP | 3.86 ERA, 1.353 WHIP | 29.1 K%, 10.6 BB%

• The Littleton, Colorado native had a strong 2023 season with the Goats, pitching to a 3.86 ERA in 44 innings. The 26-year old reliever projects to be one of the best relievers in Hartford’s bullpen. He’s got plus strikeout stuff and commands the ball pretty well. Goldsberry has been quite impressive for an undrafted free agent (and former walk-on at Kansas) and has an outside shot to earn a big league cup of coffee if he puts together another great season.

Seth Halvorsen – RHP

2023 Stats (CPX, A+, AA): 13 G, 13.1 IP | 2.70 ERA, 1.350 WHIP | 23.6 K%, 7.3 BB%

• After getting drafted in the 7th round last summer, the Rockies front office quickly elevated Halvorsen to Double-A with just 7.1 pro innings under his belt. We didn’t get to see much of Halvorsen last season as he only pitched 13 innings total, but the performance was quite strong. Halvorsen’s fastball can touch 100 and he pairs it with a strong changeup and slider. His overall control is good for a power pitcher but he needs to find a more consistent release point and refine his command.

Brendan Hardy – RHP

2023 Stats (A+, AA): 24 G, 35.0 IP | 1.80 ERA, 1.029 WHIP | 38.6 K%, 9.3 BB%

• Hardy was a 2018 31st round pick out of high school by the Mets. He came over to the Rockies this offseason after a dominant 2023 season that saw him record a 1.80 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 35 innings. He has an electric fastball that reaches 97 mph and gets lots of spin. Hardy reached Double-A for the first time in his career last season, getting 8.1 innings there. Still just recently 24-years-old, Hardy has potential and it’ll be exciting to see how he does with the Yard Goats. 

Jaden Hill – RHP

2023 Stats (A+): 16 GS 43.2 IP | 9.48 ERA, 1.809 WHIP | 26.3 K%, 11.5 BB%

• Since entering the system as a 2nd rounder in 2021, Hill has flashed tantalizing stuff, albeit with sometimes frustrating results. Last season was certainly one Hill wants to put behind him, but he still showed plenty of promise. The new plan for Hill is to be a reliever, where the Rockies used Hill in the AZ Fall League and in Spring Training, to much better results. This spring, his fastball sat in the upper 90s, paired with a nasty slider and his trademark changeup. The overall consistency needs to improve, but if Hill can put it all together, he could be pitching in Denver by the end of the season.

Bryce McGowan – RHP

2023 Stats (A, A+, AA, AAA): 43 G 49.2 IP | 3.99 ERA, 1.530 WHIP | 29.4 K%, 13.6 BB% 

• McGowan had the fun (and rare) distinction of pitching at every level of the minors last season. The 18th-rounder out of UNC-Charlotte has a strong fastball and slider but lacks feel for a third pitch, though his pure stuff is some of the best in the organization. The key for success here is for McGowan’s command to improve.

Juan Mejia – RHP

2023 Stats (AA): 48 G 58.2 IP | 5.06 ERA, 1.432 WHIP | 32.0 K%, 11.9 BB%

• Following a strong performance in the AZ Fall League, Mejia was added to the 40-man roster last offseason. His numbers from last season won’t pop out at you, but his overall stuff is strong featuring a mid-90s fastball and high spin slider. The future is bright for Mejia if he can refine his craft a bit.

Andrew Quezada – RHP

2023 Stats (AA): 20 GS 106.0 IP | 5.52 ERA, 1.632 WHIP | 17.8 K%, 8.6 BB%

• Quezada is back with the Yard Goats after he was one of their best starters last season. The 7th-rounder out of Cal State Fullerton doesn’t have overpowering stuff, but he still gets the job done. I expect him to continue to be one of Hartford’s best starters with a chance to keep pushing the envelope on a Triple-A promotion.

Connor Van Scoyoc – RHP

2023 Stats (A+, AA): 23 GS 128.0 IP | 3.80 ERA, 1.258 WHIP | 21.2 K%, 8.4 BB%

• The 24-year-old came over to this system in exchange for Mike Moustakas last summer. Van Scoyoc has a really slow delivery that messes up hitters’ timing. His fastball and stuff are both below average, but he throws strikes and gets outs. His performance in Hartford was promising last season so hopefully he can continue to find success.

Mason Albright – LHP

2023 Stats (A, A+): 20 GS 109.2 IP | 3.28 ERA, 1.258 WHIP | 25.9 K%, 7.4 BB%

• Albright is a 12th round pick out of IMG Academy, though he received the signing bonus of a 2nd or 3rd round pick. He’s a Rockies transplant that came over in the CJ Cron trade last summer. Albright has all the tools you would want in a starting pitcher. He throws strikes, is durable, and he has four pitches that are all around average. The hope here is that the velo can increase, but it’s clear that the Rockies are confident in the 21-year-old’s skill after only 25 innings in High-A.

Austin Kitchen – LHP

2023 Stats: 45 G 60.2 IP | 4.45 ERA, 1.368 WHIP | 20.5 K%, 6.1 BB%

• Kitchen was an undrafted free agent out of Coastal Carolina who has absolutely dominated the minors since his 2021 debut. The lefty has over 80 career innings at Hartford including a 3.62 ERA in 59 innings last season. His performance wa strong enough for him to earn a 1 inning cup of coffee in Albuquerque, though with the Rockies depth replenished, Kitchen, like Darnell, was bumped back to Double-A.

Carson Palmquist – LHP

2023 Stats (A+, AA): 19 GS 92.1 IP | 3.90 ERA, 1.267 WHIP | 34.3 K%, 9.5 BB%

• The former 3rd round pick out of Miami had a great first full pro season, reaching Double-A and proving that he can start. His low-90s fastball may not seem impressive, but he pairs it with a great arsenal, consistent command, and deception. The slider and changeup do a great job at throwing hitters off along with his delivery. Palmquist had a strong 22 inning performance with the Goats last season and will look for an early promotion to Triple-A.

Evan Shawver – LHP

2023 Stats (A+): 24 G 50.0 IP | 5.94 ERA 1.780 WHIP | 20.7 K%, 14.3 BB%

• The former 7th rounder out of the University of Cincinnati spent all of last season at Spokane. A surgical strike-thrower in 2022, Shawver lost his precise feel for the baseball while repeating High-A and will need to get back on track with a tough promotion to Double-A. Shawver is a low-90s lefty with a carrying fastball and a sweeping slider.

Hitters

Braxton Fulford – C

2023 Stats (A+, AA, AAA): .270/.377/.463 (.841 OPS) |10 HR | 6 SB | 10.9 BB%, 23.7 K%

• The Texas Tech alum had a great 2023 season, going from Spokane to a three game cup of coffee at Albuquerque. His hitting stats took a step down once he reached Hartford, but he still flashed some solid tools. The pop is sneaky and he gets on base a good amount. Fulford is a strong defender behind the plate, giving him the profile of a savvy backup.

Ronaiker Palma – C

2023 Stats (CPX, A+, AA): .251/.306/.319 (.625 OPS) | 1 HR | 5 SB | 6.9 BB%, 11.9 K%

• The 24-year old Palma figures to be the backup catcher on the roster. Palma doesn’t have a great bat, but he does not strike out much. Most of his value comes from his solid defense behind the plate.

Adael Amador – INF 

2023 Stats (A+, AA): .287/.380/.495 (.875 OPS) | 12 HR | 15 SB | 12.1 BB% 11.5 K%

• The top ranked prospect in the Rockies system is back after a hamate fracture sidetracked his season. Even though he is just 20-years-old, Amador has hit with excellence at every stop of his career. His hit tool is comfortably plus and there is sneaky pop as well. While he’s a good shortstop, Amador is penned in as a second baseman going forward with the presence of Ezequiel Tovar in the organization. Amador will make every Yard Goats game a must-watch.

Warming Bernabel – INF

2023 Stats (AA): .236/.282/.367 (.649 OPS) | 8 HR | 2 SB | 4.5 BB%, 20.7 K%

• While Bernabel was designated for assignment and taken off the 40-man last week, he expectedly went unclaimed and is back with the Goats. Bernabel performed throughout his pro career, but struggled once he reached Hartford last season. Many believe he was still dealing with lingering effects from a concussion, leading to his subpar performance. At best, Bernabel flashes a plus hit tool with average pop. Warming is a budding defender at third and should stick there long term. If Bernabel gets back on track, expect him to be re-added to the 40-man roster in the fall.

Nic Kent – INF

2023 Stats (A+): .277/.352/.433 (.784 OPS) | 11 HR | 9 SB | 9.0 BB%, 15.1 K%

• The Virginia alum repeated Spokane last season with much better results. He flashed a solid hit tool last season, but it will be interesting to see how he does at Hartford. Kent is a solid defender at short and should stick there long term. There is upside for him to be a low-end utility guy at the big league level if he can find success with this Hartford challenge.

Ryan Ritter – INF

2023 Stats (A, A+, AA): .281/.383/.519 (.902 OPS) | 24 HR | 20 SB | 11.8 BB%, 29.0 K%

• Going into last season, it was clear that Ritter was an elite defender at shortstop, however there were questions about his bat. By the end of the season, Ritter had silenced most of the questions surrounding his bat as he found a way to quiet his swing down and make better contact more consistently. The tools are here but some refinement is certainly needed. The Kentucky alum can flash plus pop and also stole 20 bases last season. The biggest thing to watch here is how Ritter adjusts to the competition at Hartford. If he keeps his strikeout rate under 30%, it will bode well for him taking the next steps towards being a big leaguer.

Sterlin Thompson – INF/OF

2023 Stats (A+, AA): .293/.376/.487 (.863 OPS) | 14 HR | 17 SB | 9.3 BB%, 18.2 K%

• The 31st overall pick in the 2022 draft has done nothing but hit since entering the system. The Colorado-born Thompson has a superb talent for hitting, and he has a solid amount of pop here as well, he just doesn’t swing for the fences. The major concern with Thompson is that he is relatively positionless as a defender and doesn’t thrive in any one spot. Whether the Rockies want to find Thompson a position or utilize him as a utility player will become more clear this season.

Yanquiel Fernandez – OF

2023 Stats (A, A+, AA): .265/.313/.486 (.799 OPS) | 25 HR | 1 SB | 6.1 BB%, 25.3 BB%

• Fernandez has the best claim for the most powerful bat in the system. If he reaches his ceiling he could be hitting 40+ homers per season. There are also plenty of concerns as his floor still isn’t a big league player. He absolutely dominated in Spokane, but struggled once he reached Hartford. If the plate discipline improves, the sky is the limit.

Zach Kokoska – 1B/OF

2023 Stats (A+): .303/.399/.562 (.961 OPS) | 16 HR | 18 SB | 10.9 BB%, 23.0 K%

• Kokoska’s great 2023 campaign was unfortunately shortened by injuries, but he still put up great numbers. It was a breakout season for the 25-year-old and he put himself back on the map, following a promising Complex League debut after being drafted. The Kansas State alum has above-average pop and is a quality athlete, resulting in 18 steals last season. It will be interesting to see how he performs against competition that is closer to see his age in a more pitcher-friendly environment.

Benny Montgomery – OF

2023 Stats (A+): .251/.336/.370 (.706 OPS) | 10 HR | 18 SB | 10.5 BB%, 27.2 K%

• The former 8th overall pick in 2021 parlayed a great AZ Fall League stint to get a ticket to Hartford. B-Mont is as toolsy as they come and impacts the game in many ways. The power and speed are plus, and he could cover Coors Field’s large outfield for years to come. There’s some concern with the strikeout rate, but he has showed improvement each season and was highlighted by Baseball America for having the single best reduction in Chase% in the minor leagues from 2022 to 2023. There’s real breakout potential here.

Bladimir Restituyo – OF

2023 Stats: .258/.277/.414 (.691 OPS) | 15 HR | 17 SB | 1.8 BB%, 18.9 K%

• The toolsy outfielder is returning to Hartford for a second season, after he hit 15 homers with a .258 batting average. The biggest downside with Restituyo is that he doesn’t walk at all. In 456 plate appearances at Hartford he walked only 8 times, good for a 1.8 BB%. If Restituyo wants a chance at the next level, it’s clear his plate discipline needs to improve but he’ll continue being an intriguing minor leaguer because of the speed and defense.

Zac Veen – OF

2023 Stats (AA): .209/.304/.308 (.612 OPS) | 2 HR | 22 SB | 11.4 BB%, 21.4 K%

• This is a critical season for Veen, who at his best looks like one of the best prospects in baseball; but also hasn’t been successful in well over a year. Last season, Veen struggled to stay above the Mendoza Line and underwent surgery halfway through the year. It’s been reported that his wrist injury was the cause for his struggles, but we need to see Veen return to form to give him more than just the benefit of the doubt. The potential is immense and Veen has 5-tool upside. If he stays healthy, the explosive outfielder will join Amador as prospects demanding your attention on a nightly basis.

Coming later today are our breakdowns of the final two minor league rosters in Spokane and Fresno. While this Hartford roster is absolutely stacked, the Spokane team gives it a run for its money. Stay tuned for the Spokane breakdown tonight and give us your thoughts on which roster is more exciting.