Luke Wortman & Mac Lyons | May 14, 2024
The Colorado Rockies affiliates recap. The Albuquerque Isotopes went 3-3 against El Paso. The Isotopes’ pitching showed improvement. Quezada shoved for the Hartford Yard Goats. Veen’s exceptional performance stands out. The Spokane Indians had a tough series, while the Fresno Grizzlies faced a formidable opponent in the Modesto Nuts. Despite challenges, standout performances emerged in each series.
Albuquerque Isotopes
Series Record: 3-3 | 12-27
The Isotopes faced off against divisional foe El Paso this week, winning 3 out of 6. Although the team has had its fair share of struggles, it seems they have improved a bit week after week.
Notable Performers:
Sam Hilliard: 29 PAs, .280/.379/.680 (1.059 OPS), 7 H, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 4 BB, 6 K, 1 SB
Michael Toglia: 29 PAs, .320/.414/.880 (`1.294 OPS), 8 H, 4 HR, 11 RBI, 4 BB, 5 K, 1 SB
Aaron Schunk: 24 PAs,.391/.417/.783 (1.200 OPS), 9 H, 2 HR, 2 RBI, 1 BB, 4 K, 4 SB
Coco Montes: 25 PAs, .391/.440/.652 (1.092 OPS), 9 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 BB, 5 K
Grant Lavigne: 24 PAs, .364/.417/.682 (1.099 OPS), 8 H, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2 BB, 9 K, 1 SB
Drew Romo: 19 PAs, .316/.316/.684 (1.000 OPS), 6 H, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 0 BB, 5 K
Willie MacIver: 14 PAs, .583/.643/.833 (1.476 OPS), 7 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 2 BB, 0 K, 1 SB
Matt Koch: 3.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP, 0 BB, 2 K
Jeff Criswell: 1.2 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP, 0 BB, 1 K
Matt Carasiti: 3.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.667 WHIP, 1 BB, 3 K
Peyton Battenfield: 5.0 IP, 3.60 ERA, 1.400 WHIP, 2 BB, 3 K
Recap:
Infielder Aaron Schunk was arguably the best hitter of the week for the ‘Topes as he hit a blistering .391 with two home runs. It was a slow start to the season for the Georgia alum, but he has hit great the past few weeks. Fellow infielder Coco Montes matched Schunk in batting average this week, while also adding a home run. Grant Lavigne makes his first appearance on the notable performers list this week, as he hit .364 with two home runs. It’s been a bit of a slow season so far for the former 1st rounder, but this week he showed the potential that got him drafted 42nd overall in 2018. Veteran outfielder Sam Hilliard has continued to hit week after week, and it’s pretty clear that he deserves to be playing in the big leagues. One of the biggest surprises this season is how well catcher Drew Romo has played so far. One of the few concerns about Romo this year is how little power he has gotten to, but his two home runs this week helped to alleviate those concerns. While he only played in three games this week, Willie Mac had an amazing performance, hitting a ridiculous .583 with a 1.476 OPS. After being sent down last week, Michael Toglia had an amazing week hitting 4 home runs.
Speaking of Toglia, many people cite him and other Rockies prospects as primary reasons why Albuquerque is detrimental to the prospect’s development. I’d like to argue the reason “why” these prospects bust doesn’t have anything to do with Albuquerque at all. Many other clubs who have their farm systems at high altitudes do just fine. The reason Toglia and other prospects have “busted” at the show is that they have issues with their profiles, mainly their strikeouts and defensive positions. Toglia, Elehehuris Montero, and others don’t play valuable defensive positions and thus have a shorter leash. The Rockies struggle to help their players develop as well. Even with pitching prospects, Albuquerque isn’t as detrimental as it seems. Dudes like German Marquez, Kyle Freeland, and Antonio Senzetala have all pitched here and turned out just fine. While the elevation when it comes isn’t always ideal, it helps the players get used to similar altitudes they will face at Coors. They also get to face MLB vets in triple-a, who don’t typically appear in double-a. Thank you for listening to my mini rant.
Like most every week this season, the Isotope pitching contingent has struggled. This week was arguably the best the team has pitched, with several notable performances. Righties Matt Koch, Matt Carasiti, and Jeff Criswell combined for 7.2 scoreless innings while only allowing one baserunner. Carasiti and Koch both have a solid amount of big-league experience, while Criswell will most certainly be called up if he keeps pitching like this. In only his third start with the team, righty Peyton Battenfield has continued to pitch great.
Call-Up Power Rankings:
- Coco Montes – INF – 2024 Season Stats: .331 AVG | 4 HR | 24 BB | 37 K | 1 SB
- Matt Koch – RHP – 2024 Season Stats: 2.79 ERA | 19.1 IP | 13 K | 2 BB
- Sam Hilliard – OF – 2024 Season Stats: .317 AVG | 8 HR | 23 BB | 35 K | 9 SB
Looking Ahead:
Next week the ‘Topes will face off against the Sugar Land Space Cowboys in ABQ. Nolan Jones and Kris Bryant are expected to make rehab starts with the team this week. The Space Cowboys are 5-1 against the Isotopes this year.
Hartford Yard Goats
Series Record: 1-5 | Season Record: 15-15
After a great start to the season, the Yard Goats came crashing back down a bit. The team still showed plenty of resilience, but still only went 1-5. Some of their top prospects continued to perform even in the down week.
Notable Performers:
Zac Veen: 27 PAs, .417/.481/.667 (1.148 OPS), 10 H, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 1 BB, 7 K, 2 SB
Yanquiel Fernandez: 25 PAs, .240/.240/.240 (.480 OPS), 6 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 BB, 5 K
Sterlin Thompson: 26 PAs, .409/.500/.545 (1.045 OPS), 9 H, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 3 BB, 2 K, 1 SB
Ryan Ritter: 21 PAs, .250/.381/.333 (.714 OPS), 5 H, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 7 K, 1 SB
Warming Bernabel: 22 PAs, .227/.227/.273 (.500 OPS), 5 H, 4 RBI, 0 BB, 4 K,
Adael Amador: 21 PAs, .158/.238/.158 (.396 OPS), 3 H, 1 RBI, 2 BB, 2 K, 1 SB
Carson Palmquist: 5.0 IP, 3.60 ERA, 1.400 WHIP, 3 BB, 10 K
Jaden Hill: 2.0 IP, 4.50 ERA, 2.500 WHIP, 2 BB, 4 K
Angel Chivilli: 2.0 IP, 9.00 ERA, 1.500 WHIP, 1 BB, 3 K
Alec Barger: 2.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 0 BB, 1 K
Jarrod Cande: 5.0 IP, 3.60 ERA, 0.800 WHIP, 2 BB, 3 K
Seth Halvorsen: 2.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.500 WHIP, 1 BB, 2 K
Bryce McGowan: 2.0 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP, 0 BB, 3 K
Andrew Quezada: 5.0 IP, 1.80 ERA, 1.600 WHIP, 4 BB, 3 K
Recap:
After a dominant start to the season, Zac Veen has silenced any concerns about his bat after an injury-riddled 2023. His performance this season has been so impressive that MLB.Com added Veen to their top 100 prospects list on Sunday. Fellow Top 100 prospect Yanquiel Fernandez has not had anywhere near as good of a season as Veen has had, but still has shown plenty of promise. It’s important to remember that the outfielder is only 21 years old, and is holding his own against double-a pitching, though the strikeouts do need to come down. Sterlin Thompson continued to swing a hot bat this week, having 9 hits plus a home run. At this point of the season, it is very concerning to see Adael Amador only hitting .138 this season. While there are plenty of reasons why his batting average will go up over the next few weeks, it is concerning to see him being overmatched.
Jarrod Cande, Carson Palmquist, and Andrew Quezada led the pitching staff this week. The trio had a great week and helped to stifle the ‘Fighting Phils lineup. It is especially to see Quezada still in double-a after how dominant he has been this season. All three have the chance to be pitching in Albuquerque and Denver soon. While the Hartford bullpen uncharacteristically struggled this week, there were still dudes who performed. Righty Alec Barger has barely gotten any recognition for how well he has pitched this season, even though he has not given up a run yet in 8.2 innings. Fellow righties Bryce McGowan and Seth Halvorsen also shoved this week. It was especially nice to see Halvorsen pitch well after a rough few weeks.
Call-Up Power Rankings:
- Andrew Quezada – RHP – 1.67 ERA | 27.0 IP | 20 SO | 12 BB
- Sterlin Thompson – INF/OF – .272 AVG | 2 HR | 12 BB | 22 K | 2 SB
- Zac Veen – OF – .341 AVG | 5 HR | 13 BB | 25 K | 9 SB
Next Up:
This week the Yard Goats will take on the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, (Blue Jays Affiliate). New Hampshire boasts a 13-19 record. The Fisher Cats have several members of Toronto’s top 30 prospects on the team, although none are near the top of the list.
Spokane Indians
Series Record : 1-5 | Season Record: 16-12
Notable Performers (Series Stats):
Cole Carrigg – 24 PA, .261/.292/.435 (0.726), 6 H, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 6 SO, 2 SB
Juan Guerrero – 23 PA, .217/.217/.435 (0.652), 5 H, 3 R, 1 RBI, 0 BB, 3 SO, 0 SB
Victor Juarez – L (0-1), 6.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K
Chase Dollander – 5.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 10 K
Zach Agnos – W, L, BS (1-1), 2.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K
Series Recap:
The Spokane Indians traveled down to Ron Tonkin Field to take on the Hillsboro Hops in what was the first series between the two teams this season. With a record of 14-8 against the Hops in 2023, the Indians have had recent success against Arizona’s High-A affiliate but were stifled in the first game of the series on Tuesday, being shut out by a score of 5-0. However, the Spo wasn’t down for long when they clawed their way through an extra-innings battle on Wednesday, stealing a 4-2 win before Hillsboro stole a win of their own with a 3-2 walk-off victory on Thursday followed by an extra-innings loss of the same score on Friday. The Indians offense was once again stifled on Saturday and lost by a final of 6-1 before dropping their fourth consecutive game in a close contest on Mother’s Day, losing 3-1 and ending the series with a record of 1-5.
Victor Juarez made his way back to the mound to open the series on Tuesday, his first appearance since the short two-inning stint he had against Eugene on April 30th. While Juarez was eventually credited with the loss, his first of the season, poor fielding by Dyan Jorge tarnished his six-inning performance where he allowed six hits and two walks, was credited with four runs, but still struck out eight. For Juarez, his eight Ks were the highest total he’s had in a game so far this season, which is on par for a Hillsboro opponent that he faced during four starts in 2023 but seemed to struggle against as his 0-2 record against the club during 2023 indicates.
Dyan Jorge’s errant throw to second base did cost the Indians a run, and it wouldn’t be his last error for the series either as he’d go on to commit two during Wednesday night’s win and another during Friday’s game. At SS, through 312.0 innings played during 2023 with Fresno, Jorge registered 13 errors, and through 226.1 innings played at the same position for Spokane this season, Jorge already has nine errors. Should fans be worried about Dyan Jorge’s fielding issues? Or is this just part of the learning curve at the High-A level, a deficit in Jorge’s game that he needs to work on before he can move on to the next level?
Amidst the struggling offense and questionable fielding, Spokane was able to sneak out their only win of the series in extras on Wednesday. The offense started hot and so did Juan Guerrero when he took Hillsboro’s starting pitcher Billy Corcoran deep to left-center field for a solo shot in the first inning. Guerrero added a double in the seventh inning and his success at the plate stretched back to May 3rd against Eugene, where his hitting streak began before it ended after going hitless on Friday and Saturday. Guerrero set a career-high hitting streak last season with Spokane, which was over the course of nine games, stretching from July 21st to August 1st.
The offense was eventually lifted over the 1-1 stalemate in the tenth inning when Jesus Bugarin drove in a run and Jesus Ordonez added some insurance with a two-run shot. Zach Agnos won his fourth game of the season after pitching the eighth and ninth innings, facing seven batters and only allowing one hit while striking out two. Carson Skipper was credited with his third save of the season when he went in for the tenth inning. Skipper’s been leading the charge for the Indians bullpen and through his 12.2 IP he has yet to allow a run and has amassed 18 Ks, lowering his WHIP to 0.95.
The Indians weren’t able to capture the same late-inning magic that they had on Wednesday when they returned to the field for Thursday’s game. Chase Dollander’s first pitch of the game was crushed by Hillsboro’s Andrew Pintar. Dollander then got himself in a bases-loaded jam after giving up a walk and two singles before he finally settled in and struck out the next three batters. After the early adversity, Dollander cruised through the next four innings until the fifth proved troublesome but still held Hillsboro to just one run. Dollander is still looking for his first career win at the High-A level. He doesn’t have a loss yet either, but some run support for the kind of performances the Rox top pitching prospect is having from the mound would be welcomed. Dollander is now the SO leader of the Northwest League with 43 and his 15.90 K/9 is also good enough for best in the Northwest and is third-highest among all MiLB pitchers with at least 24 IP.
The Indians’ offense scored their only two runs of the game early, one courtesy of an error and the other courtesy of Bryant Betancourt who brought Kyle Karros home, but was called out at second trying to stretch the single. The game remained 2-2 until the bottom of the ninth when Hillsboro’s Jean Walters drove in the winning run off of Luis Amoroso.
Spokane looked to rebound Friday night with Sean Sullivan on the bump, but even as one of the Northwest League’s best pitchers stifled the Hillsboro offense during a game in which only two runs were scored through nine innings, the Indians eventually lost in extra innings, as Zach Agnos finally looked human when he picked up his first loss and blown save of the season. However, Agnos shouldn’t be solely placed with the blame for the loss, as Parker Kelly’s botched catch in the bottom of the tenth inning allowed Hillsboro to tie the game before the Hops drove in the winning run during the next at-bat.
Cole Carrigg started Friday night’s game with a leadoff home run, his first long ball in eight games. Carrigg would go on to add a single in the game, totaling two hits on the evening, and with a double in Sunday’s loss, Carrigg had a hit in every single game besides Saturday, where still managed to get on base with a walk. Carrigg’s performance at the plate in a series where hits and runs were often hard to come by is noteworthy, but even Cole Carrigg couldn’t spark any offense on Saturday night as the Indians were held to just two total hits and struck out a team total nine times.
Blake Adams picked up his first loss of the season on Saturday. Through 4.0 IP, Adams gave up 8 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, and only struck out one batter. That makes two consecutive starts where Adams has allowed eight hits and has had at least three earned runs, a rough start to the month of May especially when taking into consideration that the righty only allowed seven hits through 17.0 IP during April.
Sunday brought the last hopes the Indians had of salvaging a win in the series, but Mother’s Day was more of what Indians fans had seen throughout the previous five games as the offense couldn’t break through until too late in the game. While all but two Indians players secured hits in the game, Spokane left seven men on base and surrendered great opportunities to score easy runs while the game was still within reach. Dyan Jorge drove in the only run during the top of the eighth, but was immediately followed by Kyle Karros grounding into a double play.
Connor Staine held the Hops to only three runs through his five innings of work while managing to strike out four, but he would still be credited with the loss, his second in as many starts during May. With the 3-1 loss, the Indians are now on a four-game losing streak heading into their series next week.
What’s Up Next Preview:
The Spokane offense seems to be out of sync right now, and hopefully a day off, a chance to reset will do them good for their next series against the Vancouver Canadians. The Spo will be back at Avista Stadium and are hosting a wide variety of specialty nights throughout the week, including: SCRAPS Bark in the Park Night, RIBBY the Mascot’s Birthday, and Armed Forces Appreciation Night.
Fresno Grizzlies
Series Record: 2-4 | Season Record: 17-15
Notable Performers (Series Stats):
Jason Hinchman – 17 PA, .308/.412/.538 (0.950), 4 H, 0 R, 4 RBI, 3 BB, 4 SO, 0 SB
Andy Perez – 25 PA, .292/.320/.292 (0.612), 7 H, 1 R, 0 RBI, 1 BB, 4 SO, 0 SB
Aidan Longwell – 22 PA, .211/.348/.211 (0.558), 4 H, 0 R, 3 RBI, 3 BB, 3 SO, 0 SB
Collin Baumgartner – L, SV (0-1), 3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K
Isaiah Coupet – 5.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 9 K
Austin Emener – 4.2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 7 K
Welinton Herrera – W (1-0), 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
Jace Kaminska – 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
Jack Mahoney – 7.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 K
Jake Madden – W (1-0), 4.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
Series Recap:
The Fresno Grizzlies knew they had their work cut out for them when they took on the California League-leading Modesto Nuts, Seattle’s Single-A affiliate, in another six-game series. Modesto not only has the best record in the California League, but they have the best run differential in the entire MiLB, which is usually the case when four of the top five leaders in RBIs for the California League are on your team. Oh, and did I mention they’re the youngest team in the California League? Seattle’s prospect depth is scary good.
Fresno lost a hard-fought battle in the series-opener by a score of 5-2, but got stomped on Wednesday night in a 12-0 display of sheer dominance and offensive firepower by the Nuts. The Grizzlies discovered that the key to success in this series was playing well on both sides of the mound when they won 3-2 on Thursday night, with incredible outings from Austin Emener and Welinton Herrera helping pave the way to victory. Fresno would go on to drop the next two games by the same 3-2 score before winning on Mother’s Day by a final of 1-0 from a walk-off wild pitch, although the key was finally cracking the Nuts offense.
Modesto jumped on Fresno and starting pitcher Alberto Pacheco early on Tuesday but were held to only three runs through the first five innings. Pacheco was credited with the loss, but with a line of 7 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, and 5 K through 5.0 IP against the kind of lineup Modesto has, Alberto had a better outing than the stats indicate. Two of the Grizzlies only runs were courtesy of a Caleb Hobson solo home run in the fifth inning, before Aidan Longwell tried to keep the comeback alive with an RBI single in the ninth. Collin Baumgartner cruised through the four batters he faced in the top of the ninth, walking one and striking out three on only 21 pitches.
The Grizzlies went in the wrong direction Wednesday night as the offensive powerhouse that is the Modesto Nuts was on full display for all of Chukchansi Park to see. Grizzlies starter Bryan Perez only lasted a little over two innings before the Nuts hung seven runs on him. Fresno settled into the game with noteworthy outings from Sam Weatherly and Jake Madden, before Modesto got the best of Tyler Hoffman in what was a four-run seventh inning. Fresno’s offense was held to only three hits, the lowest single-game total for the Grizzlies this year and the fifth time in their last nine games that Fresno’s been held to five hits or less.
Fresno needed to respond and they did just that on Thursday by earning a 3-2 comeback victory due in part to some heroics from Grizzlies pitchers Austin Emener and Welinton Herrera and on offense by Jason Hinchman. Through 4.2 IP, Emener finished with a line of 4 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, and 7 K, while through 2.1 IP, Herrera finished with a line of 0 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, and 6 K. Emener and Herrera combined for 13 of the 15 SO that Fresno had in Thursday’s game. Dominant outings from those two made way for Hinchman’s heroics when he drove in all three of the Grizzlies runs and accounted for two of the team’s five total hits. Hinchman brought Braylen Wimmer home in the fifth inning on a sharp single to left field to kickstart the comeback and then doubled in the seventh inning to bring home Wimmer and Andy Perez. Collin Baumgartner picked up his first save of the season and secured the win for Fresno, only their fourth in the past ten games.
The great outings from Grizzly starting pitchers wouldn’t end with Austin Emener and Welinton Herrera, with more dominance from both Jack Mahoney on Friday and Isaiah Coupet on Saturday, even though both of their efforts would end in 3-2 losses for Fresno.
Jack Mahoney exited Friday night with a final line of 7.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, and 8 K. Through 13.1 IP in May, Mahoney has 17 Ks, nearly at the 19 he had through 20.1 IP during April. While Mahoney didn’t pick up the win, his control was evident all night on, and he especially settled in after battling through the second and fourth inning. The seven innings Mahoney went for on Friday was a season-high and a clear indicator of the belief that Fresno manager Steve Soliz has in Mahoney, and a testament to the work he’s put in with pitching coach Rolando Garza.
Friday night also welcomed the return of multi-hit performances from both Andy Perez and Braylen Wimmer, Perez finishing the game by going 3-5 and Wimmer finishing 2-4 with 1 BB. Yet, even with Perez and Wimmer returning to form, the Grizzlies still squandered opportunities to take the lead when they tied the game in the bottom of the fifth inning thanks to doubles from EJ Andrews Jr. and Luis Mendez. When Fresno’s pitching staff manages to hold one of the best offenses in the entire MiLB to two runs, the Grizzlies can’t fumble any opportunities they get to put the game out of reach. And this was exactly the same story on Saturday night.
Another outstanding outing from a Fresno starting pitcher? Yes.
More chances for the Fresno offense to earn some run insurance that they would ultimately fumble? Yes, again.
Isaiah Coupet entered Saturday looking to build off of his previous start where he had 11 Ks through five innings of work. While Coupet wouldn’t reach 11 Ks, another nine strikeouts through 5.2 IP where the lefty only allowed five hits and two earned runs cemented himself as one of—if not the—best pitchers for the Grizzlies. In 5.1 less innings of work, Coupet has already eclipsed his strikeout total for the month of April (19) with 20 Ks through two starts and 10.2 IP.
Offensively, Aidan Longwell knocked in the only two Fresno runs on the evening with singles in the third and fifth innings. Caleb Hobson finally broke through after his solo home run in the first game of the series and finished 3-4 and added a SB. With this in mind, Fresno lost this game because of their inability to hit with RISP, going 3-7 in this category.
While the offense didn’t necessarily wake up in the matinee Mother’s Day game on Sunday, a combined effort from Jace Kaminska, Brady Hill, and Jake Madden made sure that the Nuts didn’t get more than one run to secure the victory for Fresno. Kaminska went six innings and only allowed three hits while striking out five, Hill added 2 Ks in one inning of work, and Madden also fanned two through two innings to earn the win, his first of the season.
The Grizzlies ended the nine-inning stalemate after a wild pitch by Modesto pitcher Ernie Day allowed Jake Snider to score, a walk-off win for the Grizzlies. Call it luck or call it being overdue for a victory in a series where the Grizzlies fought hard each inning against the California League’s best team, but Fresno ended their series against Modesto on a good note.
What’s Up Next Preview:
The Grizzlies will head back over to Stockton to take on the Ports in their second series against Oakland’s Single-A affiliate. Fresno dominated Stockton during their first series of the season by a record of 5-1. The question remains, can the Grizzlies offense return to the way they were playing a month ago? And can the Fresno pitching staff continue to build off of a series that saw them find their form? Tune in next week to find out!
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