Colorado Rockies news and links for July 26, 2024
At this point last season, the Rockies record was very similar to now. In 2023, the Rockies were 40-63 (.388). They finished July 9-13, 7-20 in August and 10-19 in September and October on their way to the worst finish in franchise history with 103 losses.
Before the trade deadline, GM Bill Schmidt dealt Mike Moustakas, Pierce Johnson, C.J. Cron, Randal Grichuk and Brad Hand to build the future. The biggest return so far has been Victor Vodnik, who leads the bullpen with 54 1/3 innings pitched (which is also fifth most among MLB relievers). With other prospects still developing, it’s too soon to judge the long-term success of the 2023 trades.
This year, at the 103-game point, the Rockies are two games worse than last at 38-65 (.369). The playoffs have been out of the picture since April and with the trade deadline four days away (July 30), the Rockies have yet to make a move.
Of course, there is still plenty of time for Schmidt to act. Last year, the Moustakas trade came more than a month before the deadline, Johnson was dealt a week before, and the rest were within 48 hours of the deadline. At the same time, it’s equally possible the Rockies stick with the Rockie way and do nothing.
Regardless of the Rockies trade action, Colorado is well on its way to another 100-loss season. In the sixth straight losing season, staying engaged as a Rockies fanbase can be a daunting endeavor.
With a little over the third of the season left, here are a few things Rockies fans can look forward to. (Note: I partially wrote this for my own self-preservation as a demoralized Rockies fan looking for hope.)
More Homers
The Rockies lead all of Major League Baseball with 36 homers in the month of July (in 19 games). Brenton Doyle has hit 10 of those, Michael Toglia has seven and Ezequiel Tovar has five. Doyle and Tovar lead the team with 17 HRs each on the season, Toglia is just behind at 16 (hitting a homer every 12.25 at-bats) and McMahon is fourth at 15. The power surge has taken the Rockies from being ranked No. 15 overall at 104 at the All-Star break to tied for 10th through Thursday. For the first time since 2019, the Rockies could have more than three players with 20-plus homers.
Prospect Call-ups
A handful of names that have highlighted the Rockies farm system the last few years could reach The Show in the September roster expansion or before. Zac Veen, the speedy outfielder and Rockies first-round pick in 2020, is atop that list, as Purple Row’s Kenneth Weber wrote about on Wednesday. Can you imagine the basepaths with Doyle and Veen? Veen could be joined by the Rockies next pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, catcher Drew Romo, especially if the Rockies pull the trigger on a trade for Elias Díaz or Jacob Stallings. Some new arms could also make their MLB debut, hopefully adding much-needed hope and change to the bullpen and possibly rotation.
Sunset for Chuck Nazty
With the Rockies, another contract extension is always possible, but we could be entering the twilight of Charlie Blackmon’s career. At age 38 in his 14th season with the Rockies, Blackmon still brings joy to the crowd as they sing about Josie’s vacation. He’s hitting .256/.333/.418 with 19 doubles, 42 runs scored, 34 RBI and seven homers. The three-time All-Star is one of the best hitters in team history, he expanded what it means to be a leadoff hitter in his prime and he’s been an admirable and loveable leader for the Rockies in some hard seasons.
K-Free Appears to Be Back
When Kyle Freeland went on the IL on April 16, it looked bad. When he came back to the Rockies 68 days later on June 23, he was flashing signs of 2018 K-Free. In the four games before straining his left elbow, he was 0-3 with a 13.21 ERA and batters were hitting .416/.471/.610 against him. He stuck out nine in 15 2/3 innings and he never went beyond the fifth inning. The Rockies were 1-3 when he was on the mound. In the five games since he’s returned, the Rockies are 4-1 in his starts, which have all been quality starts. He’s 2-0 with a 1.95 ERA, he has 25 strikeouts in 32 1/3 innings and opponents are hitting .233/.270/.392 against him. If he’s on the mound, Rockies fans should definitely tune in.
Promotions at Coors Field
If you like swag, mark your calendar. On Saturday, Aug. 10, the Rockies will give away Ezequiel Tovar City Connect jerseys to the first 15,000 fans who attend the showdown against Atlanta. On Aug. 16-17, it’s all about Todd Helton. The Hall of Famer will be honored with a Helton-themed drone show on Aug. 16 after the game against the Padres. On Saturday, Helton and “special guests” will be in attendance along with his Cooperstown plaque and a pregame ceremony will unveil the gold HOF ring around the retired No. 17. The first 30,000 fans will also get a Helton HOF Bobblehead. Other fun promotions include Los Rockies jerseys for the first 10,000 fans for the game against the Cubs on Sept. 15, fireworks after the Rockies-Dodgers game on Sept. 27 and City Connect beanies on Sept. 29.
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Trevor Story Returns to Colorado as Red Sox Comeback Looms | Just Baseball
With former Rockie Trevor Story suffering through injuries, he didn’t get the welcome he deserved or the chance to play against Colorado in his first return to Coors Field since joining the Red Sox. Thankfully, Patrick Lyons chronicled Story’s final days with the Rockies and great quotes from managers and teammates.
This is an amazing, heartwarming feature by Sean Keeler on Rockies fan Thomas’ Williams, who had a heart transplant as a baby and went on to have a great baseball career at Johnson University in Tennessee, works for the Department of Defense and just so happens to be a Rockies fan.
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On the farm
Triple-A: Albuquerque Isotopes 6, Round Rock Express 4
Sean Bouchard, Elehuris Montero and Drew Romo all homered for Albuquerque. Ryan Rolison gave up two runs on four hits in 2 1⁄3 innings as Round Rock took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. The Isotopes put up a four spot in the third to take the lead and the bullpen finished strong as Stephen Gonsalves, Dugan Darnell, Riley Pint and John Curtiss each threw a scoreless inning.
Double-A: Harrisburg Senators 5, Hartford Yard Goats 3
Adael Amador hit an RBI double in the fifth inning to put Hartford up 5-3, but the Senators rallied back with two runs in the seventh and eighth to win on Thursday. Ronaiker Palma added three hits and Braiden Ward added two more and scored two runs. Mason Albright had a strong start, giving up one run on four hits with one walk and five strikeouts in 5 2⁄3 innings. Alec Barger suffered a blown save when he gave up two runs on two hits and Juan Mejia took the loss when he gave up two runs on three runs.
High-A: Spokane Indians 4, Eugene Emeralds 3
Blake Adams posted a quality start after giving up three runs on eight hits with three strikeouts, but Eugene’s Alexander Suarez hit a solo homer for the game-winner in the seventh to land Adams with a no-decision. Juan Guerrero posted two hits and scored a run, Cole Carrigg scored two runs and got one hit and Kyle Karros drove in two sacrifice runs.
Low-A: Fresno Grizzlies 7, Stockton Ports 3
Ben McCade was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, Caleb Hobson hit a two-run double and Andy Perez added a two-run single as the Grizzlies scored five runs in the top of the ninth to complete a thrilling comeback win on Thursday. Jason Hinchman hit a two-run homer in the first. Alberto Pacheco gave up three runs on eight hits, including two homers, over six innings with five strikeouts to keep Fresno in the game. Bryson Hammer tossed two scoreless innings for the win and Sam Weatherly struck out two in a scoreless ninth to win the game.
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