Matzek and Arenado join Asheville

Left-hander Tyler Matzek and third baseman Nolan Arenado, the Rockies top two picks in the 2009 draft, have joined low Class A Asheville after spending time in extended spring training. Arenado made his 2010 debut Friday and went 2-for-4 with two RBI and batted fifth as the Tourists overcame a four-run deficit for the first time this season and beat Kannapolis 7-6.

Matzek, 19, who was the 11th player taken overall and received a franchise-record $3.9 million bonus, signed just before the August deadline, too late to do anything but work out at Rookie Casper. He began this year in extended spring training in Tucson to limit his innings this season and to let him pitch in the more-relaxed atmosphere there before going to Asheville. He is scheduled to make his professional debut Monday.

Arenado, 19, spent time in extended spring training because he was recovering from surgery in the groin area. He was the 59th pick overall last year and received a $625,000 signing bonus. Arenado hit .300 last year at Casper with two homers, 22 RBI and nearly as many walks (16) as strikeouts (18) in 203 at-bats. For a young hitter, Arenado has a very good two-strike approach.

Arenado was the fourth player taken by the Rockies in last year’s draft. They also took center fielder Tim Wheeler in the first round, 32nd overall, and took left-handed reliever Rex Brothers 34th overall with a compensation pick between the first and second rounds.

Wheeler and Brothers are both playing at high Class A Modesto. Wheeler is hitting .257 with four homers and 17 RBI and has a .365 on-base percentage and .382 slugging percentage. Brothers has appeared in 18 games, going 0-1 with a 3.26 ERA. Opponents are hitting .177 off Brothers, who has 10 walks and 19 strikeouts in 19 1/2 innings.