Four Colorado Rockies prospects skip a level
First basemen Kiel Roling and Ben Paulsen, center fielder Tim Wheeler and pitcher Rob Scahill will bypass one level in the Colorado Rockies farm system to start the 2010 season.
Roling, 23, will start the year at Double-A Tulsa, skipping high Class A Modesto after hitting .331 in 94 games at low Class A Asheville with 20 homers and 66 RBI. He led the South Atlantic League in batting and OPS (.994), topping the league in slugging percentage (.593) and finishing second in on-base percentage (.401). The Rockies drafted Roling in the sixth round in 2008 out of Arizona State.
The left-handed hitting Paulsen, 22, will begin the season at Modesto, bypassing Asheville after hitting .280 in 44 games at short-season Tri-City with one homer and 25 RBI, a .325 on-base percentage and .377 slugging percentage. The Rockies took Paulsen in the third round of the 2009 draft out of Clemson where his father, Tom Riginios, is the associate head coach. Paulsen has a pure swing that is very advanced and just needs to gain strength.
Wheeler, 22, a left-handed hitter, moves up to Modesto after hitting .256 in 68 games at Tri-City with five homers, 35 RBI, 10 stolen bases in 14 attempts, a .332 on-base percentage and .381 slugging percentage. The Rockies took Wheeler out of Sacramento State last year in the first round of the draft, 32nd overall.
Scahill, 22, a right-hander taken in the eighth round of the 2009 draft out of Bradley, will start the season at Modesto after going 1-4 with a 3.14 ERA in 15 starts at Tri-City. He gave up 58 hits, including just two home runs, in 63 innings with 20 walks and 58 strikeouts and didn’t allow more than three earned runs in his final nine starts.
What’s the scoop on Chris Balcom-Miller? Didn’t see his name on the Asheville roster (where I assume he’d go following last year with Casper). He was dominant and, unless he was injured, you’d think he’d get a shot in Asheville.
What’s the scoop on Paulsen skipping an entire level right out- with such low numbers in Tri-Cities as a THIRD rounder, and lack of command as a firstbaseman at that round level. The projected rosters were totally off according to posts. And what happened to Cunningham in Tulsa? Is Roling back up to Cunningham?
Andy,
Balcom-Miller will start the season in extended spring training and probably be there about a month. He’s getting over a stress reaction in his right foot.
Other prospects in extended getting over injuries that kept them from breaking camp with a team include Kent Matthes, Nolan Arenado, Charlie Blackmon and Delta Cleary. Also Tyler Matzek is there for about a month before beginning his pro career at Asheville. Keeping him in extended will assure he gets regular work in warm weather and limit his innings this season.
Randy,
Cunningham retired shortly before the start of spring training. Not sure I know what you mean about Paulsen’s “lack of command as a first baseman at that round level.” The bottom line is his swing is sound enough for the Rockies to feel he can meet the challenge he’ll face at Modesto. As he gets stronger, his power numbers will rise.
Stats for a player in his first pro season are less meaningful and less of an indicator than for someone more advanced. A great example is Helton at Asheville in ’95 when he began his pro career. By no means am I saying Paulsen will develop like Helton did. Modesto in a way is probably a better place for Paulsen, because as a left-handed hitter, he won’t have the temptation of the short RF in Asheville _ 297 feet down the line _ that could be harmful.
Jack, can you update us on the status and or location of some other pitchers missing from the various minor league rosters?
Reynolds Matt
Reynolds Greg
Weathers Casey
Also I have not seen the Colorado Springs Sky Sox roster as yet?
Thanks!
Rich,
Matt Reynolds will open the season at Colorado Springs. Greg Reynolds is making progress in extended spring training. He fell three weeks behind after Jeff Kindel lined a ball that hit Reynolds just above the right elbow March 1 and chipped a bone. Weathers is also in extended. He has had a long, uneven road coming back from Tommy John surgery Oct. 31, 2008. He’s throwing all fastballs in bullpen sessions but figures to be in extended for at least a month.
I haven’t seen anything about Lars Davis, Carlos Martinez or Aaron Weatherford. Where are they now and what’s happen in their careers.
Had a chance to watch Wheeler, Matthes and Scahill in one game, Devils vs. Spokane, last June. Matthes made a great defensive play at the end of the game and Scahill was very impresive in a 2-1 Tri-Cities win.
Wheeler didn’t have a great offensive game but look fine in the field.
Kathy,
Martinez suffered a broken left hamate bone during the Dominican mini-camp just before the start of major league spring training. He’s in extended spring and likely will be ready to play in mid to late April. Davis is in extended working on throwing issues. Weatherford underwent shoulder surgery in late February and will miss the season. He’s home in Nashville, Tenn., rehabbing.
Where is Jay Cox starting the season out? I have looked on various rosters but cannot find his name anywhere. Thanks!
Craig,
Jay Cox’s was dropped and is playing for the Fargo-Moorehead Redhawks in the northern league. He is doing great there and should be back in the MLB farm system soon.
I was take back by the CR releasing Jay, after spring training he hit .294 with 12 HR and is a solid BB player. Someone will need his talents and your right he should be back in the MLB farm system soon.
Leave your response!
Recent Comments
More at Inside The Rockies
More around the Web
Newsroom
Blogroll
Archives