We are down to the final weeks of the Minor League season. We saw plenty of walk-offs this week, a pitcher of the week performance in Spokane and solid performances from Top Prospects.
Colorado Rockies Minor League Recap – Week 22
Albuquerque Isotopes
Series Record: 4-2 | Season Record: 53-79
Notable Performers
Jimmy Herron: 19 PAs, .333/.368/.667 (1.035 OPS), 6 H, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2 K, 3 SB
Zac Veen: 25 PAs, .130/.200/.304 (.504 OPS), 3 H, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 2 BB, 11 K, 1 SB
Hunter Goodman: 21 PAs, .313/.476/..563 (1.039 OPS), 5 H, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 4 BB, 3 K
Yanquiel Fernandez: 20 PAs, .111/.200/.111 (.311 OPS), 2 H, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 9 K
Willie MacIver: 23 PAs, .300/.391/.400 (.791 OPS), 6 H, 4 RBI, 3 BB, 7 K, 2 SB
Hunter Stovall: 21 PAs, .444/.524/.611 (1.135 OPS), 8 H, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 3 BB, 2 K, 2 SB
Ty Blach: 0.00 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 4.1 IP, 1 BB, 6 K
Peter Lambert: 0.00 ERA, 0.33 WHIP, 3.0 IP, 0 BB, 4 K
Peyton Battenfield: 2.57 ERA, 0.71 WHIP, 7.0 IP, 1 BB, 3 K
Tanner Gordon: 3.60 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 5.0 IP, 2 BB, 3 K
Carson Palmquist: 3.60 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 5.0 IP, 1 BB, 3 K
Karl Kauffmann: 3.60 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 5.0 IP, 3 BB, 2 K
Ryan Rolison: 0.00 ERA, 0.30 WHIP, 3.1 IP, 0 BB,3 K
Geoff Hartlieb: 0.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP, 2.0 IP, 0 BB, 2 K
Recap
The series against the Reno Aces got off to a great start, as the squad won 6-2. It was close throughout the whole game, but the ‘Topes could pull away thanks to a 4-run 8th inning. Jimmy Herron led the way for the offense, collecting three hits 4 RBI, and a home run. Elehuris Montero added 2 RBI and two hits. Lefty Ty Blach got the start, tossing 4.1 scoreless innings while striking out 6. Ryan Rolison added 2.1 scoreless innings, while Chance Adams got the win.
The offense struggled to get anything going on Wednesday, thanks to a great start by Aces righty Humberto Castellanos. Willie MacIver collected two hits, while Connor Kaiser added two walks. Lefty Carson Palmquist got the start, giving up 2 runs in 5 innings. Peter Lambert added a great outing in relief, tossing 3 scoreless innings while striking out 4.
The offense bounced back the next night, winning 9-2. Hunter Goodman had 3 hits and two RBI, while Zac Veen and Greg Jones added two hits. Righty Tanner Gordon got the win, allowing only two runs in 5 innings. The bullpen dominated the rest of the way, tossing 4 scoreless innings while striking out 5.
The pitching staff would struggle the next game, as the squad lost 3-8. Zac Veen added his 2nd homer in an Isotope uniform, while Hunter Stovall added 3 hits. Greg Jones recorded his 40th stolen base of the season. Lefty Josh Rogers got the loss, giving up 4 runs in 5.2 innings.
Thanks to a Hunter Stovall walk-off home run, the Isotopes won Saturday’s contest 4-3. Stovall and Connor Kaiser each collected two hits, while Hunter Goodman added a homer of his own. Righty Karl Kauffmann put together a solid start, giving up 2 runs in 5 innings. The bullpen was solid the rest of the way, with reliever Geoff Hartlieb getting the win.
The ‘Topes closed out the series with a win, 7-2. Grant Lavigne and Willie MacIver each had two hits, while Jimmy Herron hit his 13th homer of the season. Peyton Battenfield got the win, giving up 2 runs in 7 innings.
Call-Up Power Rankings
- Hunter Goodman: .281 AVG | .970 OPS | 8 HR | 15 BB | 1 SB
- CALLED UP SEPTEMBER 1st
- Dugan Darnell: 4.66 ERA | 1.55 WHIP | 38.2 IP | 48 K
- Willie MacIver: .294 AVG | .914 OPS | 15 HR | 36 BB | 9 SB
Looking Ahead
This week the Isotopes will take on the Tacoma Rainiers. The Rainiers are the affiliate of the Seattle Mariners and have a 73-59 record this season, good for 1st in the PCL West.
Hartford Yard Goats
Series Record: 5-1 | Season Record: 70-54
Notable Performers
Juan Guerrero: 23 PAs, .476/.522/.619 (1.141 OPS), 10 H, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 2 BB, 2 K, 1 SB
Adael Amador: 24 PAs, .211/.333/.263 (.596 OPS), 4 H, 4 RBI, 4 BB, 2 K, 2 SB
Warming Bernabel: 21 PAs, .316/.381/.316 (.697 OPS), 6 H, 3 RBI, 1 BB
Sterlin Thompson: 23 PAs, .278/.435/.389 (.824 OPS), 5 H, 3 RBI, 4 BB, 4 K
Kyle Datres: 20 PAs, .316/.350/.421 (.771 OPS), 6 H, 4 RBI, 1 BB, 5 K, 1 SB
Braxton Fulford: 17 PAs, .308/.471/.462 (.933 OPS), 4 H, 2 RBI, 3 BB, 3 K, 1 SB
Chase Dollander: 0.00 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, 5.2 IP, 2 BB, 10 K
Sean Sullivan: 5.40 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 5.0 IP, 1 BB, 6 K
Blake Adams: 1.50 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 6.0 IP, 2 BB, 5 K
Mason Green: 0.00 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 3.0 IP, 1 BB, 5 K
Mason Albright: 1.50 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 6.0 IP, 3 BB, 4 K
Connor Van Scoyoc: 1.50 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 6.0 IP, 2 BB, 4 K
Zach Agnos: 0.00 ERA, 0.33 WHIP, 3.0 IP, 0 BB, 3 K
Bryce McGowan: 0.00 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 2.2 IP, 1 BB, 5 K
Recap
The series with the Binghampton Rumble Ponies started sour, as the Goats lost 2-3. The lineup struggled to get things going, collecting just 6 hits and 2 walks. Mason Albright put together a great start, giving up just 1 run in 6 innings. The bullpen put together a solid outing overall, but it wasn’t good enough for the win.
The bats got going on Wednesday’s 4-3 win, collecting 11 hits in lieu of a walk off win. Braxton Fulford, Kyle Datres, Sterlin Thompson, and Juan Guerrero each had two hits, with Thompson also delivering the walkoff. Righty Antonio Senzatela made a rehab start with the team, striking out 5 and giving up 3 runs in 4 innings. Zach Agnos got the win, striking out two in a scoreless inning.
After two close games to start the series, the Goats would have more breathing room in a 7-1 victory. Juan Guerrero had a great game, collecting three hits, three RBI, and a home run. Bladimir Restituyo and Nic Kent each added two hits. Blake Adams continued to showcase the dominance he’s shown all season, giving up 1 run in 6 innings. The bullpen wouldn’t allow a run the rest of the way, thanks to Alec Barger and Collin Baumgartner.
On Princess and Pirates night, (yes that was the real promotion for the game), the Goats won 3-0. Juan Guerrero continued to stay hot delivering two hits, while Bladimir Restituyo and Warming Bernabel added two hits each. Chase Dollander continued to be excellent, striking out 10 in a scoreless 5.2 innings. The bullpen kept up their dominance, striking out 6 in a scoreless 3.1 innings of work.
The Yard Goats would have another walkoff on Saturday, winning 7-6 in the 10th inning. Adael Amador, Nic Kent, and Juan Guerrero led the way for the lineup, each collecting two hits. Sean Sullivan put together a solid outing, striking out 6 and giving up 3 runs in 5 innings of work. Zach Agnos got his 2nd win of the series, tossing 2 scoreless innings.
The Goats closed out the series with a win, 4-2. The lineup collected 8 hits, led by Ronaiker Palma’s 2 hits and Trevor Boone’s home run. Connor Van Scoyoc delivered a great start, giving up just 1 run in 6 innings. Brayan Castillo got his first save of the season, tossing a scoreless inning.
Call-Up Power Rankings
- Chase Dollander: 1.43 ERA | 0.98 WHIP | 37.2 IP | 48 K
- Ryan Ritter: .274 AVG | .789 OPS | 6 HR | 34 BB | 17 SB
- Zach Agnos: 1.99 ERA | 0.88 WHIP | 22.2 IP | 27 K
Looking Ahead
This week the Yard Goats will take on the Altoona Curve. The Curve are the affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates and has a 55-71 record this season.
Spokane Indians
Series Record: 6-1 | Season Record: 76-48
Notable Performers
Cole Carrigg – 25 PA, .250/.423/.600 (1.023), 5 H, 6 R, 3 RBI, 6 BB, 6 SO, 3 SB
GJ Hill – 19 PA, .263/.263/.684 (0.947), 5 H, 4 R, 5 RBI, 0 BB, 5 SO, 1 SB
Dyan Jorge – 25 PA, .348/.400/.435 (0.835), 8 H, 3 R, 3 RBI, 2 BB, 6 SO, 2 SB
Victor Juarez – W (4-7), 7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 10 K
Connor Staine – 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 10 K
Carlos Torres – W (4-0), 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K
Sam Weatherly – SV (4), 3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
Michael Prosecky – 5.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 11 K
Braxton Hyde – W (3-1), 5.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
Series Recap
The Spokane Indians welcomed the Tri-City Dust Devils to Avista Stadium for the first and final time this season. The Indians jumped out to a hot start, winning the first two games by scores of 6-0 and 9-5, but were shut out on Thursday 3-0. However, the Spo played stellar ball throughout Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to sweep the remainder of the series.
Victor Juarez had a night to remember when the series against Tri-City opened on Tuesday. Through seven innings, Juarez faced 25 batters and finished his night by allowing just one hit and two walks, all while adding 10 K to his belt. For Juarez, he has not held an opposing team to only one hit since his second start of the season on April 14th, which just so happened to be against Tri-City. Juarez also reached double-digit strikeouts for the first time this season as well, a feat that has not only eluded him throughout his time in Spokane, but at the professional level as well. The 21-year-old right-hander is in his second season with Spokane, and he may just enjoy pitching at Avista Stadium, especially as his 3-2 record with a 3.77 ERA across 11 starts at home compares to his 1-5 record and 5.36 ERA through nine starts on the road.
The Indians got some run support on Tuesday night thanks to Cole Carrigg’s leadoff home run in the first inning and RBIs from Andy Perez and Charlie Condon, as well as Cole Messina’s first professional home run which he knocked out of the park in the seventh inning. Welinton Herrera entered in relief for Juarez and silenced the Dust Devils through two innings, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out four batters to preserve the shutout victory.
Spokane got into a back-and-forth battle against Tri-City on Wednesday night. The Indians got up early in the first inning thanks to RBIs from Kyle Karros and Bryant Betancourt, but Tri-City responded the next inning by mashing a go-ahead three-run home run off of Jack Mahoney. Mahoney would manage to keep the game contained but his night ended after five inning in which he allowed 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, and dished out 5 K. Karros, Jose Cordova, and Andy Perez gave Spokane the lead back with a three-run third inning, but a pair of home runs for Tri-City in the fourth and eighth inning tied the game once again. GJ Hill drove in the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth, while Dyan Jorge tacked on the exclamation point with a bases clearing double as part of his impressive 3-4, 2 R, 3 RBI night.
The Indians weren’t able to provide much offense for Connor Staine who was having himself a dominant night on the mound during Thursday’s game. Staine held the Dust Devils offense to just 3 H through his 6.0 IP, allowing 0 R, 1 BB, but reached double-digits in strikes with 10 K for the first time since his immaculate game on July 4th. What Spokane lacked offensively they certainly made up for with some outstanding defensive plays, most notably from GJ Hill in left field who collected two outfield assists and saved a run as he cut down a Tri-City runner heading home in the fifth inning. Kyle Karros also made an incredible catch in foul territory that nearly sent him into the front row of fans sitting along the third base line at Avista Stadium. However, The core four of Spokane’s lineup was held hitless, as Braxton Hyde did his best to push the Indians into extra innings after allowing just 1 H and adding 4 K through three innings. Welinton Herrera couldn’t stop Tri-City in the tenth inning as they scored three runs, giving Herrera his second loss of the season, and Spokane their first of the series.
Spokane snuck out the win in walk-off fashion on Friday night. Dyan Jorge played a pivotal role once again, scoring the game-tying run in the eighth inning for a 3-4 night at the plate. Yujanyer Herrer worked through the early stages of the game and allowed 2 R on 6 H. The stalemate would head to extras, where Jose Cordova played hero this time around as he drove home the winning run with the bases loaded to put the exclamation point on a 3-2 win.
The Indians stormed back late into the night on Saturday, scoring five runs in the eighth inning to steal their second consecutive win. Michael Prosecky was lights out over the span of five innings where he would allow 1 R off of 3 H with 2 BB and 11 K. Spokane was down but not out as Carlos Torres earned his fourth win of the season after holding Tri-City to one hit over two innings. Cole Carrigg started the comeback train with a two-run bomb in the eighth inning and was followed by a GJ Hill three-run missile, allowing Spokane to cruise to a 6-2 win.
GJ Hill’s heroics wouldn’t end there as the right-fielder not only secured the shutout victory for the Indians on Sunday, but saved them from being on the receiving end of a no-hitter. Alberto Pacheco held his own for 5.2 innings, allowing 7 H but no runs on 2 BB with 7 K. Braxton Hyde would pick up his third win of the year after taking over for the next 2.1 innings in which he held Tri-City to one hit. Hill’s twelfth home run of the year was the deciding factor in the eighth inning, while Sam Weatherly slammed the door shut with 3 K in the final inning to give Spokane six wins in seven games during their final homestand of the year.
What’s Up Next Preview
The Spokane Indians enter the final month of their season and are set for one last series against the Everett AquaSox. Fans will have to watch the standings in order to see what three teams will join the Spokane Indians in the Postseason for the Northwest League.
Fresno Grizzlies
Series Record: 2-5 | Season Record: 64-61
Notable Performers
Aidan Longwell – 24 PA, .316/.458/.363 (0.827), 6 H, 5 R, 2 RBI, 5 BB, 7 SO, 0 SB
Felix Tena – 27 PA, .261/.370/.565 (0.936), 6 H, 4 R, 8 RBI, 3 BB, 4 SO, 2 SB
Blake Wright – 27 PA, .304/.407/.652 (1.060), 7 H, 7 R, 6 RBI, 3 BB, 4 SO, 1 SB
Hunter Omlid – 4.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
Nathan Blasick – 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K
Stu Flesland III – W, L, (2-3), 11 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 8 K
Series Recap
The Grizzlies made the roughly 40-minute bus trip down to Visalia to take on the Rawhide for the final time this season. Fresno took the series opener on Tuesday by a score of 10-4 but narrowly dropped Wednesday’s game 6-5. After dominating on Thursday night with an 11-2 victory, Fresno dropped the remaining three games of the series over the Labor Day Weekend.
Stu Flesland III wasn’t nearly as perfect as he has been as of late when he took the mound for the series-opening game against Visalia on Tuesday, but he managed to navigate the Grizzlies through five innings, allowing 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, and 2 BB, while handing out 5 K en route to his second win of the season. Three of Fresno’s first four runs of the game were brought home by Braylen Wimmer who was having himself a fun night at the plate on Tuesday. Wimmer went 3-5 with 2 R, and 3 RBI, finishing just a double shy of hitting for the cycle. Fresno added three runs of insurance in the fourth inning and tacked on three more runs later in the eighth. Caleb Hobson was responsible for bringing home two of the runs and stole two bags for himself, while Jake Madden shut the door on Visalia’s chances of a comeback, carving through the Rawhide batting order for two innings while allowing no hits and one walk but added 3 K.
The Grizzlies fell late in Wednesday’s game after a back-and-forth battle that was started by a pair of solo home runs from Felix Tena and Blake Wright’s first of his professional career. Ismael Luciano surrendered Fresno’s three-run lead in the second inning as Luciano would go on to allow 9 H and 4 ER over the span of his five innings on the mound. After Visalia took the lead, the Grizzlies responded through the sixth and seventh innings with a pair of runs thanks to a Luis Mendez forceout and Tevin Tucker’s RBI single. However, Austin Becker struggled in the seventh inning, allowing a game-tying RBI-double followed by a wild pitch that brought home the game-winning run. Fresno had no chance of a comeback as they failed to get on base throughout the two remaining innings.
Fresno didn’t let Wednesday night’s loss weigh on them for long as they shot out to an early lead on Thursday, once again thanks to a Blake Wright home run. Wright’s second professional home run was a two-run jack to left field, giving him home runs in consecutive games, en route to his 3-4, 4 R, 3 RBI night. Caleb Hobson followed Wright’s footsteps and crushed his own two-run home run in the third inning, as Felix Tena tacked on yet another RBI to give the Grizzlies an early 5-0 lead. Tena would end his night 4-5 with a R and 5 RBI after his two-run jack in the fifth inning. For Tena, 5 RBI is a new single-game career high for the 20-year-old who has shown some incredible growth at the plate over the course of the 2024 season, his first in a Grizzlies uniform. On the mound, Bryan Mena picked up his first win since his promotion to Fresno after allowing 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 6 BB, with 4 K through 6.1 IP. Fresno tacked on three more runs in the sixth and another in the eighth to give Fresno an 11-1 lead. RHP Hunter Omlid made his professional debut for the Grizzlies as well. Omlid was a 2024 20th-round pick out of Arizona State and through two innings, Omlid allowed 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, but dished out 5 K.
Fresno’s comeback was cut short on Friday night. Adian Longwell was one of just two Grizzlies to walk home during the game, and while Longwell earned a single-game high of 3 BB, they couldn’t get the job done after being held to just one hit. McCade Brown held his own to start the game walking four and striking out for of his own through two innings. Jake Madden would end up being credited with the loss after allowing 2 R off of 2 H and 2 BB while adding 4 K.
A pair of three-run innings from the Rawhide closed Fresno’s hopes of collecting another win. Bryan Perez took the mound for the Grizzlies and allowed 3 R off of 6 H and 2 BB while tacking on 6 K. The offense certainly had more life than the previous night as they reached eight total team hits, but only scored three runs of their own thanks in part to Blake Wright’s pair of RBI. Visalia poured the runs on in the seventh inning and chased Justin Loer who allowed 3 R off of just 3 H, easing their way to the 6-3 win.
The Grizzlies concluded their series by coming up just one run short as they lost 2-1 on Sunday. Stu Flesland III took the mound once again but would ultimately be credited with his third loss of the season after working through six innings where he allowed 2 R, off of 4 H and 1 BB, but could only muster up 3 K. Blake Wright drove in the lone Fresno run when he was walked with the bases loaded in the third. Visalia would go on to add a run in the third and the fifth, silencing the Grizzlies offense for the rest of the game after Fresno squandered a bases-loaded opportunity in the fourth and a controversial outcall against Tevin Tucker in the ninth frame.
What’s Up Next Preview
Fresno goes right back to work on Monday and will be back home in Chukchansi Park for the final time this year to take on the San Jose Giants, who became the winners of the second half of the season over the weekend, the final series of the year.
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