Rockies farm roundup: Dickerson’s big day leads Asheville
Triple-A Colorado Springs (W, 8-5 vs. Tacoma, box)
Left fielder Ryan Spilborghs was 2-for-4 and scored a run. Third baseman Chris Nelson was 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs. Designated hitter Jorge Cantu and shortstop Jesus Merchan drove in two runs each. Starting pitcher Edgar Gonzalez allowed four runs and struck out nine in six innings.
Double-A Tulsa (W. 5-4 at NW Arkansas, 10 innings, box)
Designated hitter Mike Zuanich was 2-for-4 with a home run — the eventual game-winner in the 10th innings — and two RBI. Shortsop Hector Gomez and right fielder Bronson Sardinha also homered. Starting pitcher Christian Friedrich allowed three runs in five innings.
High Class-A Modesto
(Game 1, W 6-5 at Visalia, 7 innings, box)
Shortstop Josh Rutledge hit a three-run home run in the seventh inning that brought the Nuts back from a 5-3 deficit. Third baseman Nolan Arenado and second baseman Angelys Nina had three hits each. Starting pitcher Chad Bettis allowed four runs and struck out seven in five innings.
(Game 1, L 6-1 at Visalia, 7 innings, box)
First baseman Kiel Roling produced the Nuts’ only run with a solo home run. Starting pitcher Leuris Gomez allowed three runs in three innings.
Low Class-A Asheville (W, 21-11 vs. Hagerstown, box)
Corey Dickerson homered three times — his 28th, 29th and 30th — and drove in six runs. Second baseman Brett Tanos was 4-for-6 with two home runs, three RBI and three runs. Catcher Dustin Garnau homered, drove in five runs and scored five. First baseman Mark Tracy and right fielder Avery Barnes also homered. Starting pitcher Nick Schnaitmann allowed seven runs (six earned) in five innings.
Short-Season Class-A Tri-City (L, 9-4 at Vancouver, box)
Catcher Ryan Casteel hit a three-run home run. Starting pitcher Ben Alsup allowed five runs in 4 2/3 innings.
Rookie Casper (L, 3-1 at Billings, box)
First baseman Harold Riggins produce the Ghosts’ only hit, a single off the Billings bullpen after starting pitcher Tony Cingrani struck out 13 in six near-perfect innings. Left fielder Francisco Sosa drove in the lone run with a sacrifice fly. Starting pitcher Daniel Winkler allowed three runs in six innings.
How many people know about Corey Dickerson?
He’s hit since the Rockies signed him, which took the club drafting him twice to get his signature.
He’s an extra-base machine and doesn’t strike out an inordinate amount of time like many young power prospects. If he can maintain his batting average, he has a chance to move quickly through the system to Coors.
You haven’t seen many baseball industry publications talking about him but Dickerson is a credible talent who will get more attention at the end of the season, out of the blue, but it likely still won’t be enough recognition.
He’s a future MLB player.
Colorado Rockies Prospects Report (please google)
I think the reason for people not talking about Dickerson a lot is because Asheville has a notoriously short porch in right field (the right field line is only 297 feet) and is home/road splits are staggering. He’s hit 24 of his 30 home runs at home along with 47 of his 62 extra-base hits. His home BA/OBP/SLG lines at home are .358/.420/.838 vs .205/.291/.385 on the road. He’ll have to prove he’s not a McCormick Field monster to be considered a true prospect. The reason Kyle Parker is considered a better prospect is that McCormick’s left field line is standard at 327 feet and while his home road splits are pronounced, they’re not as extreme as Dickerson’s.
Chad, thanks for the splits info on Dickerson. Are you sure those numbers are correct? That’s just an astounding disparity if they are.
Those splits are correct. Numbers in Class-A ball are tough to read anyway and you have to rely a lot on scouting reports — there’s a reason Parker when in the first round and Dickerson in the eighth — but offensive numbers are especially hard to read at Asheville. Dickerson’s a solid prospect, but how he hits as he moves forward will tell us a lot more than this season at Asheville.
Steve, sorry to make what seems a funny point into a serious one but…have the Rox talked to the Yankees. Sounds like his power might project to the monstrosity that replaced the old Yankees stadium.
I have been very high on the Rox farm system the past month. Even as Wheeler faded (good last few games though), and he looks like a 4th outfielder (but give him a chance, he was a supp pick if I am not mistaken and he has speed, power and can in a pinch play all four OF positions, not a bad guy to have), we have seen Nolan Arendo become superman and Mr. Rutledge give some of us a small glimmer of hope of possible closing the Grand Canyon that has been the Rox 2nd base position since their inception (kudos to EY for his play and Mike Lansing for his cycle but really, since this team started we have never had a truly top flight – not even saying AS, but a guy you are glad is playing – catcher or 2B…may Ianettt or Rosario or Rutledge please end that almost 20 year streak).
The Rox tend to be patient and careful with position players. The exception of late has been Tulo and, well, he maybe the best player in baseball right now. So what I am wondering, assuming they dont get David Wright or Michael Young this off-season, if Rutledge and Arendo tear it up in AA the first few months, maybe we can see them in Coors by June. I am kind of figuring 2012 may be a tough season as we develop our rotation (good young arms, but give them time), so if either of those two can make noise in Tulsa, I would love to have them here sooner rather than later (yes, I know that too soon promotion of Dex may have delayed his development by two years but…we are desperate to end the darkness at 2B and 3B). Steve, do you think that Rutledge will play AFL and if so, will it be at 2B (even assuming Tulo will eventually be a 3B, that is at least 4 years down the road).
As for Friedrich, I still think there is talent in the kid but you know, a LGOOG is not the end of the world. Maybe he can make this team better out of the pen. With DLR and Pomeranz in 2012 and potentially 2013 (is that Jorge’s option or the club’s?), you dont need another lefty starter. If Mr. Friedrich can get James Looney out, at least based on his career against the Rox, he will earn his #1 pick status :)