Weekly Pebble Report: Two Closing Books (September 3rd-September 8th)

Colorado Rockies minor league report for Wednesday, September 11th, 2024

Two books have reached their final chapters for the Colorado Rockies farm system, but they have very different endings.

For the High-A Fresno Grizzlies, a loss in the season finale at Chukchansi Park cements a 67-64 final record but a closed book for the 2024 season. For the High-A Spokane Indians, there remains an epilogue to be written as they head to post-season play.

In the upper half of the minor leagues there are still pages left to read. The Double-A Hartford Yard Goats have one series left with the post-season in sight. However, the for the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes, their final chapters are largely a formality with the ending already set in stone. This is your Weekly Pebble Report.

Triple-A: Albuquerque Isotopes (3-3, 56-82 Overall)

The Isotopes’ trip to the Pacific Northwest to face the Tacoma Rainiers (Seattle Mariners) ended in a series split as the ‘Topes are largely playing for pride. With 12 games left to play the Isotopes are just four losses away from tying a franchise worst record and an unfortunate 90-loss season is much closer to reality than anyone would like.

Veen of the Stone Age: Young outfielder Zac Veen (no. 4 PuRP) is adjusting to the challenges of Triple-A ball in a tantalizing—albeit slow—fashion. Veen clocked his fourth and fifth Triple-A home run since being promoted two weeks ago. Veen’s batting average and on-base percentage need improvement, as do his 20 strikeouts in 14 games, but his .536 slugging percentage with three doubles and five home runs is encouraging. He also had a successful steal of home on Saturday night.

Yanquiel Dinger Dandy: Yanquiel Fernandez (no. 5 PuRP) is another prospect who’s adjustment to Triple-A has been slower than anticipated. However, the “strapping, broad shouldered young man with considerable thunder in his hands” finally connected on his first Triple-A home run—a no-doubt three run blast.

Getting it Gor-Done: Right-handed starter Tanner Gordon spun about as flawless a start as possible for a pitcher in the notoriously hitter-friendly PCL. Gordon worked eight scoreless innings on 96 pitches, striking out three batters with no walks. He did allow six hits but never allowed the traffic to cause trouble.

Double-A: Hartford Yard Goats (3-3, 73-57 Overall)

The Hartford Yard Goats played host to the Altoona Curve (Pittsburgh Pirates) for their penultimate series of the regular season and final regular series of the year within the lovely confines of Dunkin’ Park. With a playoff spot clinched, the Yard Goats will play one final series before facing a yet-to-be determined opponent in the Division Series.

The Ryan-stone Cowboy: Kentucky infielder Ryan Ritter (no. 19 PuRP) was drafted mostly for his phenomenal glovework, which he’s shown off in spades. However, he’s also delivering a strong season at the plate with the Yard Goats, hitting .279/.381/.419 with 12 doubles, two triples, and seven home runs. Against the Curve he went 5-for-13 with a walk and a home run without striking out.

Guys and Dollanders: Maybe the Pebble Report needs a weekly Chase Dollander section, because that’s essentially become the norm. Dollander (no. 1 PuRP) has been everything a Rockies fan could hope for during his first full season in the farm system with a 2.38 ERA and 166 strikeouts over 22 starts. The ace in the making spun yet another gem this week, working six innings against Altoona and giving up two earned runs on five hits and a walk. Dollander was named the Eastern League Pitcher of the Month for August.

Save the Datres: Yard Goats infielder Kyle Datres is one of the older Pebbles down on the farm, but he’s quietly put together a season of spectacular defensive plays. Against the Curve he continued to show off strong glovework while also going 6-for-15 at the plate with a double, a home run, and five walks to just three strikeouts. The highlight below is from August but I haven’t had the chance to show it off yet, so enjoy.

High-A: Spokane Indians (3-3, 79-51)

The Spokane Indians finished out their regular season with a series split against the Everett AquaSox (Seattle Mariners), and ended things on an especially high note with back-to-back wins and a 9-2 blowout in the regular season finale. Now the Indians will take on the Vancouver Canadians (Toronto Blue Jays) for the Northwest League Championship.

One Cole Customer: Indians center fielder Cole Carrigg (no. 12 PuRP) took home Northwest League Player of the Week honors for strong series against the AquaSox. Carrigg went 9-for-23 with two home runs, four RsBI, and five stolen bases. The 2023 second rounder is hitting .280/.358/.475 with the Indians and has hit 16 home runs.

Hotter Than Burning Karros-ene: Indians third baseman Kyle Karros (no. 14 PuRP) put together a strong final four games of his regular season against the AquaSox by hitting 7-for-16 with a double, a home run, and three RsBI. Karros rocketed up the prospect rankings with his excellent season and 15 home runs.

Reach for the Skyler: Corner infielder Skyler Messinger finished his regular season with an 8-for-22 series against the AquaSox with three doubles and his second High-A home run of the season. The Boulder, Colorado native was promoted to Spokane in late July and has had somewhat limited playing time, but has some thump in his bat and will likely start next season with the Indians or Yard Goats.

Low-A: Fresno Grizzlies (3-3, 67-64)

Despite an overall solid campaign from the Fresno Grizzlies, their season was fated to be over regardless of the outcome of their final series against the second-half winner San Jose Giants (San Francisco Giants). The Grizzlies split the series against the Giants, but ended things on a low note with a 5-11 loss.

Tena Out Of Ten: Young outfielder Felix Tena had three multi-hit games against the Giants. He went 9-for-21 with two doubles, a home run, nine RsBI, and an OPS of 1.145 for the week. Tena really came into his own over the last month and change of the season, hitting .298/.351/.463 with 25 RsBI over 31 games dating back to the start of August.

Mena of the People: 20-year-old right-handed pitcher Bryan Mena was promoted to Fresno a little over a month ago and ended up making seven total starts for the Grizzlies. His final start of the season was both his longest and best, working 6 ²⁄₃ innings of one run baseball while giving up four hits and striking out six batters.

Smolderin’ Stu: I’ve come to really enjoy telling you all about University of Washington product Stuart Flesland III in these Pebble Reports, especially as he rounded into starting form over the last month of the season. Flesland III’s final start of 2024 was his longest of the year: a seven inning Quality Start where he gave up three earned runs. He did give up eight hits but balanced things out with seven strikeouts and no walks issued.

★ ★ ★

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