Can we see the Rockies’ future now? Please?
| July 6, 2009 | 3:31 PM
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Prospects I would like to see in a Rockies uniform sooner rather than later:
1. Jhoulys Chacin: Before this season, there was talk he already could be a major league reliever with his changeup and overall makeup. He’s 6-6 with a 3.35 ERA and has been at times underwhelming this season. But he’s still the best pitching prospect in the Rockies system. As much as I like Josh Fogg, I would rather be looking at the future than remembering 2007.
2. Esmil Rogers:The converted infielder has been electric all season. He’s 8-2 with a 2.48 ERA and has allowed just three earned runs in his past 29 innings. Although Chacin, not Rogers, was picked for the Futures Game, Rogers has outperformed the Rockies’ other top pitching prospect. Plus, because Rogers is already on the 40-man roster, he could get the call before Chacin if the Rockies need another bullpen arm.
3. Brandon Hynick:After a breakout year in 2006 at Single-A, Hynick’s rising status flattened a bit with a so-so year at Tulsa in 2007 and a sometimes shaky start to 2008. But he’s been great recently, including a seven-inning perfect game last week. Most of the damage against him this season has occurred at Colorado Springs’ Security Service Field, which is notoriously unfriendly to young pitchers who rely on hitters getting themselves out. If he’s unable to crack the Rockies’ rotation because of two guys in front of him, he could warrant a look as a middle reliever.
4. Eric Young Jr.: Maybe it’s just misplaced fondness for the Rockies of old. After all, Don Baylor’s in the dugout, too. But EY Jr. has been electric again this season, batting .295 with 71 runs scored and 47 stolen bases. He’s certainly not in line to bump Clint Barmes from the everyday lineup, but if the Rockies end up shipping Garrett Atkins elsewhere, seeing Young take his place for some wheels on the bench late might be a good solution.
5. Franklin Morales and Jason Hirsh: So, neither one is technically a prospect any longer, having shed their status as rookies the past two seasons. Morales is ready. Since returning from the disabled list, he was steadily improved. If there isn’t room in the rotation — and Jorge De La Rosa bought himself some with eight shutout innings against the Diamondbacks — Morales would seem like a much better option as a lefty out of the pen than Randy Flores. He could ease into the rotation, much the way other raw lefties like Johan Santana and Francisco Liriano did in Minnesota. As for Hirsh: whatever happened to this guy? He’s 6-6 with a 6.22 ERA, so by no means has he earned a trip back to the majors. And unlike Hynick, Hirsh has been only a little better on the road and truly awful at home. So why do I want to see him back with the Rockies? Part of me just wants to see first hand if he looks that much different than he did in 2006, when he was starting to put things together. Another part of me just wants the Rockies to try him or trade him so we can all stop hoping he’ll one day crack the rotation.
UPDATE: After Monday’s game, the Rockies announced they were shipping out Flores and calling up Morales.
Journals, Sports, Steve Foster
brandon hynick, colorado rockies, eric young jr., esmil rogers, franklin morales, jason hirsh, jhoulys chacin
