2009 Draftee Brothers Moves Up
Left-handed reliever Rex Brothers, the 34th player taken overall in this year’s June draft, made his low Class A Asheville debut with one scoreless inning Sunday.
In the Tourists 7-2 loss to Kannapolis, Brothers pitched the eighth and got two ground outs and a strikeout while giving up a bloop single.
The Rockies took Brothers out of Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn., with a supplemental pick between the first and second rounds as compensation for the loss of free agent reliever Brian Fuentes. Brothers received a signing bonus of $969,000, according to Baseball America.
He began his career at short-season Class A Tri-City where in eight games he went 2-0 with a 3.38 ERA and five walks and 18 strikeouts in 10 2/3 innings.
In other farm news, high Class A Modesto left-hander Christian Friedrich gave up five hits, four runs and a season-high four walks in a season-low 3 2/3 innings against Visalia but avoided a loss when the Nuts scored two runs in the eighth and two more in the ninth to beat Visalia 5-4. Friedrich,who began the season at Asheville, threw 82 pitches and left with the Nuts trailing 3-1.
The Rockies first-round pick in 2008, Friedrich is 3-0 with a 1.85 ERA in 10 starts for Modesto. The four runs he allowed equaled the total he yielded in his seven previous starts, totaling 41 2/3 innings and dating to July 13 when Friedrich returned after missing a month with left elbow soreness.
Finally, Paul McAnulty, signed in the hope he could give Triple-A Colorado Springs some much-needed power, has gone 0-for-18 in his first nine games for the Sky Sox, albeit with nearly as many walks (2) as strikeouts (3).
McAnulty, who can play the corner infield and outfield positions, has 128 games of big-league experience with the Padres. He began this season in the Boston organization and signed with the Rockies after being released from Triple-A Pawtucket.
Gentleman …any new updates on the Matzek negotiations?
thank you
Jack,
Do the Rockies sign Matzek? yes or no
JT, don’t rip Jack or Tracy. Once they get info, they will post it.
I don’t know any inside info, but if Matsek wants to sign for the slot in the 3 million range, I say sign him, but if he wants the 7 million or more, let him go to Oregon and freeze in their non-baseball rain weather and see how he comes out next year. Sounds like he has talents, but his head might be a little too big. Maybe some college would be good for him to get some life perspective.
I bet the Monforts, et al remember Matt Harrington from a few years ago. Turned down $4m (I think) and then never made it out of the Indpedent Leagues. $3-4 is fine, but not $5++.
Ian, I’d say it is less than 50-50, but it won’t be decided until shortly before the deadline at 10 p.m., MDT tonight.
To be clear – I believe he would not be eligible again until after his junior year. Can somebody please confirm or correct that?
@Marc
Absolutely correct. He would not be re-eligible for the draft until after his Junior Year at Oregon.
More info: His dad just lost his job. Money means a lot to Matzek right now, he wants as much as he can squeeze out. I have to think he’s going to sign.
Thanks Matt -
I understand the college players thinking when he doesn’t sign (i.e. one more year of school, likelihood of injury and stock drop is relatively limited)
I have never understood the HS players. An opportunity to make $3-$4 million at the age of 18 isn’t too bad from a “real world” perspective. Not to mention – 3 years to suffer an injury (esp for a pitcher) and 3 years to be exposed at a level that AAU and HS ball cannot replicate.
Marc, the other way to look at it is that if a college jr goes back in the draft, when he comes out as a senior he has no leverage at all besides going home. Whereas a high school player like Matzek can go to Oregon, play under a coach (Horton) who has guided many players to prospecthood, and potentially come back in three years to the same or greater draft position. Sure, he could get hurt, or not pan out, but it’s easy to see a confident athlete taking those chances.
f/k/a Mike- Well made point(s) …I suppose I am more of a “bird in hand” type of person.
Tyler could very well be drafted higher than #11 in 3 years and be offered more than $3m – if that’s a chance he is willing to take …I commend his confidence.
And there was really no secret which way he was leaning. That’s what allowed him to slip down to the Rockies in their position. He could have helped the Rockies a lot, but if they don’t sigh him it’s not the end of the world.
Another option for Matzek if he doesn’t sign is attend a Junior College, which would make him eligible for next year’s draft.
Marc–I am glad that I’ve never faced such a choice! It’s a hard decision. I think I would have wanted to play college ball and playing ball rather than money would have been the thing, but that much money *and* a chance to get started towards the majors would have been tempting.
It is highly annoying to me to watch top prospects squeeze every dollar and / or hire Boras. There are more top prospects that don’t make it than do make it. Take the money and run. Why on earth would someone risk three years or even one year of college with a $3 Million offer? The risks far out weigh the rewards in turning down that kind of money.
Tracy, thanks! GREAT news! Way to tell ‘em.
I never checked another site because I knew if and when any news broke this was the place to find it.
I actually found out by reading MLB Trade Rumors a minute ago…They gave credit for the news to Mr. Ringolsby of Inside the Rockies. I thought the same thing james until I refreshed the web page and saw this article was about eighteen comments deep. Thanks for all the coverage Tracy, Jack and crew!
Well done inside the rockies! Tracy, nice scoop. Also kudos to the writers/fans on here for mostly understanding that if there was something to report they would. Surprised by the money given to him, but let’s hope this signing pans out. Again great work.