Rockies farm roundup: Houston throws shutout for Tulsa
Triple-A Colorado Springs (L, 6-1 at Tucson, box)
Starting pitcher Clayton Mortensen allowed two runs on six hits, walked no one and struck out eight in six innings. Right fielder Scott Beerer was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
Double-A Tulsa (W, 4-0 at Arkansas, box)
Starting pitcher Dan Houston allowed three hits, walked two and struck out 10 in a nine-inning shutout. Right fielder Bronson Sardinha was 2-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a run. Shortstop Hector Gomez was 2-for-3 with a stolen base.
High Class-A Modesto (W, 11-10 vs. Bakersfield, 13 innings, box)
Third baseman Nolan Arenado hit a three-run walkoff home run in the 13th inning to bring the Nuts back after having giving up two runs in the top of the inning. Shortstop Josh Rutledge was 6-for-6 with a double, two RBI, three runs and a stolen base and extended his hitting streak to 22 games. Rutledge is hitting .468 in July. Starting pitcher Daniel Perkins allowed six runs in 5 1/3 innings.
Low Class-A Asheville (L, 7-3 at Kannapolis, box)
Designated hitter Corey Dickerson was 1-for-3 with a home run, two RBI and a stolen base. Shortstop Cristhian Adames was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Starting pitcher Joshua Mueller allowed six runs in 2 2/3 innings. Reliever Juan Gonzalez allowed one run but not hits, walked one in 5 1/3 innings.
Short-Season Tri-City (L, 9-5 vs. Vancouver, box)
Designated hitter Leonardo Reyes was 2-for-5 with a double and two RBI. First baseman Tyler Massey was 2-for-4 with two RBI, a run and a stolen base. Starting pitcher Vianney Mayo allowed three runs in six innings.
Rookie Casper (L, 8-5 vs. Orem, box)
Third baseman Samuel Mende was 3-for-3 with a double, a home run and three RBI. Second baseman Yafistel Roja was 2-for-5 with two doubles, two runs and a stolen base. Starting pitcher Raul Fernandez allowed four runs (three earned) in 4 2/3 innings.
Steve, Houston now seems to be moving along at a good clip. Could we see him in the Rockies rotation by late 2012 or 2013? Does he have the capability to be a major league starter?
Also, do either Field at AA or Rutledge have the potential to be starting Rockies 2Bs at some point?
Julian,
Houston projects as a bottom-of-the rotation type simply because he’s not a “stuff” type. Fastball is average, but the slider is very, very good _ 22 sliders in his three-hit CG shutout Fri and 20 for strikes _ and the changeup is fine. He knows how to pitch, period. Quick answer would be yes to your question on Field and Rutledge, although Field more likely projects as utility type.