Rockies farm roundup: Friedrich goes six shutout innings
Triple-A Colorado Springs (L, 9-6 vs. Tucson, box)
Catcher Jordan Pacheco was 2-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI and a run scored. Third baseman Matt Macri was 2-for-4 with a double, a home run, an RBI and two runs scored. Second baseman Brad Emaus was 2-for-5. Starting pitcher John Maine allowed eight runs in 4 1/3 innings.
Double-A Tulsa (W, 2-0 vs. NW Arksansas, box)
Starting pitcher Christian Friedrich allowed three hits, walked three and struck out three in six shutout innings. Third baseman Darin Holcomb was 2-for-3 with a double, a triple, and RBI and a run scored. First baseman Ben Paulsen was 2-for-4. Catcher Wilin Rosario was 1-for-4 with and RBI double.
High Class-A Modesto (On all-star break. Finished first half 32-37 in fourth place, 18 games behind in North Division)
Low Class-A Asheville (On all-star break. Finished first half 31-38 in fourth place, 8 games behind in Southern Division)
Short-Season Class-A Tri City (W, 8-1 vs. Everett, box)
Left fielder Leonardo Reyes was 3-for-5 with three RBI. Second baseman David Hernandez was 2-for-3 with a double, two RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base. Centerfielder Brian Humphries was 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base. Catcher Ryan Casteel was 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored. Starting pitcher Tyler Gagnon allowed one run on four hits and a walk in 4 1/3 innings.
Rookie Casper (L, 7-6 at Orem, box)
Third baseman Matthew Argyropoulos, the Rockies’ 27th-round pick in the 2011 draft, was 1-for-4 with a solo home run. Designated hitter Francisco Sosa was 1-for-4 with a two-run home run. Shortstop Rosell Herrera, ranked the Rockies’ 12th-best prospect by Baseball America before the season, was 0-for-4 with an RBI in his U.S. debut. Starting pitcher Alving Mejias allowed six runs in six innings.
Is Friedrich looking like a guy who could make a contribution at the major league level this year if he is needed?
I’m disappointed with John Maine (no less than he is, I’m sure). From the way in which he is being beaten around by AAA hitters it would seem that either his control has deserted him or his shoulder is keeping him from succeeding at any level. He had great success with the Mets, of course, prior to his injury, but does anyone think he has a future in baseball no less one with the Rox, who are less in need of a fifth starter than they seemed to be in spring training. The guy is clearly struggling big time.
Is it the Rockies’ development being flawed or the scouting/drafting for guys like Matzek and Tago and many disappointing hitters (Rike, Christensen, Lars Davis, Jayson Nix and others)?
I’m starting to believe that bad draft choices are only part of the problem, that development is a bigger issue. You can respond, what about Jimenez, Chacin and Nicaso? Good point. What about all the guys (there are much more of them) drafted high who have failed? Tulo was just so good, he made himself without much post-college help. Blackmon seems to me a hard worker and smart enough to make adjustments.
Just wondering.
Great question that I have asked many times as well – why can’t the Rockies develop players from the draft? With very few exceptions – most of the Rockies minor league development has come from the Latin free agent signings.
Still, Friedrich I do think will make a solid mid-rotation starter (think Francis type lefty), however Matsek I have almost no hope for at this point. I know he is still very young, but the complete lack of control seems to be impossible to repair.
Agreed Rich M. If Friedrich stays healthy, maybe there is still hope for him. Matzek, I have little hope for now unless there is a total mental and mechanics demolition and rebuild. You look at Baseball America and see there are certain organizations that are much better at developing talent and not all of them pick before the Rockies in the draft. Colorado just struggles to develop guys I think.