Rockies farm roundup: Cook pitches into 8th in rehab start
Triple-A Colorado Springs (W, 8-7 vs. Fresno, 10 innings, box)
Starting pitcher Aaron Cook pitched 7 2/3 innings in what will likely be his final rehab start before being activated by the Colorado Rockies. Cook allowed six runs on eight hits and didn’t walk a batter. He was not involved in the decision as the Sky Sox rallied from a 7-5 deficit with runs in eighth, ninth and finally the 10th, a walkoff solo home run by Jeff Salazar, the second of the game for Salazar. First baseman Mike Jacobs was 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Third baseman Matt Macri was 2-for-4 with a double, a triple and two RBI. Right fielder Charlie Blackmon also doubled and drove in a run.
Double-A Tulsa (L, 9-8 at Frisco, box)
Catcher Wilin Rosario was 2-for-3 with a solo home run and two runs. Left fielder Scott Beerer was 2-for-4 with a solo home run. Center fielder Tim Wheeler was 2-for-5. First baseman Ben Paulsen and second baseman James Cesario each tripled. Starting pitcher Josh Sullivan allowed six runs in 5 1/3 innings.
High Class-A Modesto (L, 7-4 at High Desert, box)
Third baseman Nolan Arenado was 2-for-5 with two RBI. Shortstop Josh Rutledge was 4-for-5 with a run scored. Starting pitcher Dan Perkins allowed four runs in 4 2/3 innings.
Low Class-A Asheville
(Completion of Friday’s suspended game, L, 8-6 at Hagerstown, box)
Center fielder Chandler Laurent was 2-for-4 with a double, a triple and two RBI. Right fielder Kyle Parker and catcher Dustin Garneau hit solo home runs. Shortstop Cristhian Adames was 3-for-4 with a double, two RBI and two runs. Starting pitcher Peter Tago, who was still on the mound Friday when the game was suspended, was charged with four runs (two earned) in four innings.
(L, 2-1 at Hagerstown, box)
Starting pitcher Edwar Cabrera allowed one run in eight innings, his longest outing of the season. Cabrera gave up seven hits, walked one and struck out eight. Catcher Bryce Massanari was 2-for-3.
Aaron Cook is NOT ready. Edwar Cabrera is a guy to watch for the next few years. He, like Nicasio, has big talent.
Aaron Cook is ready. Don’t pay attention to the runs allowed — those are home runs in the extreme/non-humidor environment of Colorado Springs. I didn’t see how far they traveled, but I’m guessing they’re fly ball outs in most big league parks, probably including Coors. He went into the 8th, got primarily ground balls, and looks like the same old Aaron Cook. No, he’s not great. Yes, he’s better than the alternatives we have. Edwar Cabrera is very promising, but he’s at least 2 years away.
Ag, you are absolutely right – the Rockies have very few other viable alternatives, however Cook is at best a 4.50 ERA pitcher right now, and that’s not likely to mean a lot of Rockies wins given how poorly they are hitting as a team. For me the starters should be Ubaldo, Chacin, Hammel, Cook and Mortensen.
G Reynolds goes back to CS when Rogers can assume the long man role. I really love Nicasio in 2012 as part of the Rockies “Latin 5″ starters, but realistically he still needs to finish the season in Tulsa and then come back up in September for five or six MLB starts.
Agbayani I hope your right. I know I’m in no rush for him to come back and start in SF against Matt Cain.
I hope he is 100%. Can he make it the rest of the season without a return trip to the DL? I know I have my doubts but I guess we will see once late Aug gets here. I was hoping they would let him get an extended rehab, take it slow because this is basically his ST, and really be 100% and ready to go the second half. I guess circumstance dictate otherwise. I wish him well.