Rockies farm roundup: Paulsen gets look at third
Triple-A Colorado Springs (W, 9-5 at Tucson, box)
Left fielder Mike Paulk was 3-for-5 with a home run and two RBI. Shortstop Ryan Rohlinger was 2-for-3 with a triple, a home run, three RBI and three runs. Starting pitcher Edgar Gonzalez allowed four runs in 5 2/3 innings. Reliever Edgmer Escalona struck out four in two scoreless innings.
Double-A Tulsa (L, 6-3 at NW Arkansas, box)
Ben Paulsen, starting at third base for just the first time in his minor-league career, was 3-for-4 with a double, a home run with two RBI. Center fielder Tim Wheeler was 2-for-4. Starting pitcher Rob Scahill allowed six runs (three earned) in seven innings.
High Class-A Modesto (L, 6-2 vs. Bakersfield, box)
Shortstop Josh Rutledge was 2-for-3 with two RBI and extended his hitting streak to 20 games. Center fielder Delta Cleary Jr. was 2-for-3 with a double and two runs. Right fielder Kent Matthes was 2-for-4 with a double. Starting pitcher Parker Frazier allowed six runs on 10 hits and walked one in eight innings.
Low Class-A Asheville (Did not play)
Short-Season Class-A Tri-City (W, 7-4 vs. Vancouver, box)
Third baseman Jayson Langfels was 3-for-3 with a double, a triple, two RBI, two runs and a stolen base. Second baseman Timothy Smalling was 2-for-4 with two doubles. Center fielder Brian Humphries was 2-for-4 with two RBI. Starting pitcher Chris Jensen allowed three runs in three innings.
Rookie Casper (L, 10-3 at Helena, box)
Center fielder David Kandilas and third baseman Trevor Story were each 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored. Kandilas also stole a base. Starting pitcher Daniel Winkler allowed three runs (one earned) in four innings.
I’m a real fan of Casper CF #25 David Kandilas. Nobody seems to ever talk about him – has anyone here seen him play? I have. He is a real athlete, very fast on the basepaths (9SB already) and 4 good tools already, with the power coming on, although more of a contact guy at present. Struggled with injury first 2 seasons so they put him back at Casper, but now healthy and really coming through. he leads the team with rbi’s and second best avg so far. Has taken some amazing catches and opposing base runners have to be very careful af that cannon arm. Seems to be flying under the radar. My prediction is Asheville next year at least.
Paulsen playing 3B is actually not good news because it suggests doubts about whether he’ll hit enough to remain at 1B. Of course, that’s a reasonable approach given how Paulsen’s season has gone (.744 OPS). Another 1B prospect who fizzled out?
Has Tim Wheeler ever had a bad game? Guy sounds like a beast.
You could be right Agbayani about Paulsen playing 3rd. I looked at it as the Rockies want to try and get him to the majors quicker and with no other 3rd basemen knocking down the door (Arredondo is still 2-3 years away) that maybe he could be the answer. I think 1B is a more important fielding position than 3B so you would put a better hitter at 3B versus leaving him at 1B.