June 17, 2008 6:03 PM
Casper and Tri-City Season Previews
Toolbox full in Tri-City
Juan Nicasio heads the Tri-City rotation, and he should be considered the team's pre-eminent pitching prospect until Christian Friedrich signs. Nicasio has a heavy, mid-nineties fastball and an eleven to seven curve, both of which grade as above average according to scouts. His other pitches lack refinement and because of this limitation, some feel he'll eventually wind up in the bullpen. Although he finished with a 0-3 record with Casper in 2007, Nicasio was second to Jhoulys Chacin among Casper starters in many important statistical categories, including ERA, which at 4.36 was solid for his age and the high altitude environment he pitched in.
Kenny Durst was a polished well worn collegiate lefty when the team selected him from West Virginia in 2007, and did well in limited innings for Casper in relief. He'll try a move to the rotation this season. Parker Frazier -son of Rockies broadcaster and former pitcher George Frazier- falls into a contrasting camp in that he was such an unfinished product when the Rockies drafted him, so his struggles at Casper weren't surprising at all. What might be surprising is that he's made enough of a step forward since then to be put in the slightly more advanced Northwest League this summer. Jonnathan Aristil might have the best looking changeup on the team (again, only until Friedrich arrives) and along with Nicasio is an interesting sleeper worth paying attention to as he also moves to the rotation after pitching in relief for Casper last season.
The Dust Devils lineup will be topped by 2008 second round selection Charlie Blackmon, who will start in the outfield and bat leadoff. Blackmon displays power, speed and a surprisingly advanced bat considering how recently he became a position player. As a former pitcher, he also has a strong arm, but he's not the only outfielder with these tools on this team. A couple of key prospects to watch that will be joining him in the Gesa Stadium grass are Leonardo Reyes, a 19 year-old Venezuelan with some good looking power and speed tools and who could be poised for a breakout (Reyes hit a homerun at Modesto Sunday as an emergency fill in for Jay Cox) as well as Scott Robinson, who also combines speed and a 90 mph plus outfield arm, and a projectable frame that figures to add plenty of pop to his bat as he matures as well.
One of Tri-City's new catchers this season will be Jordan Pacheco, who is learning the position after playing second base last season and through his collegiate career at New Mexico State. Until some other players currently involved in the College World Series are able to be signed, there will be other more temporary position shifts. Patrick Rose, who the Rockies drafted as an outfielder, will play second until Fresno State's Erik Wetzel signs. Ryan Peisel of Georgia seems likely to be the Dust Devils starting first baseman and could be travelling with current Bulldogs teammate, pitcher Stephen Dodson to their professional assignments with the Rockies. Grand Junction Central alum and current Arizona State Sun Devil Kiel Roling has a potent bat that could move quickly once his defensive game behind the plate improves.
Ghosts hope to bury the past
The Pioneer League has been shifting more collegiate over the last few seasons, but as the Rockies lowest level domestic affiliate, it often gets stocked with the franchise's most unrefined players. This mismatch led to a dismal 21-50 record in 2007, but the good news is that the quality and polish of the players slated to play with the Ghosts in 2008 seems greatly improved.
Jeff Fischer returns to Casper's rotation after a frustrating 2007 that saw him go 0-10. Fischer, according to a recent Casper Tribune article, has tinkered with his mechanics and added a sinker in an effort to improve his performance. He could be joined by 2008 draft picks Ethan Hollingsworth, Craig Bennigson and Alan DeRatt, as well as Venezuelan left-hander Ricardo Ferrer in a more polished and deep rotation than the franchise displayed in 2007. Kurt Yacko, Dan Houston, Brandon Walker, Isaiah Froneberger and others highlight a pen that should also be greatly improved.
Outfielder Shane Lowe and infielder Zack Murry are also looking to improve on their 2007 campaigns. While Lowe struggled at the plate somewhat, Murry actually led Casper in hits with 61 last season and does well at consistently putting the ball in play. More consistent playing time and his familiarity with the league should help him become more consistent defensively and allow him to show more gap power than he did in 2007. Well regarded Dominican shortstop Carlos Martinez also returns after a somewhat disappointing 2007 in Casper, but he's still only 19 and has time to mature into the shortstop Rockies scouts envision.
Second baseman Angelys Nina put up some impressive numbers for the Rockies Dominican Summer League affiliate in 2007 (.323 average, 19 doubles, 3 HR, 24/32 in stolen base attempts) and will be making his stateside debut with the Ghosts as an 19 year old. He's got good speed and has a line drive swing that drives a surprisingly strong offensive game for his smallish frame. His defensive skills are limited at second, with an arm and infield range that pales in comparison to Martinez or Murry, but the bat should carry him while he works to improve.
19 year-old outfielder Eliezer Mesa is a cousin to former Rockies reliever Jose Mesa and signed with the team for $80,000 in 2007. He might be one to expect to struggle with the more advanced league. If he is successful, he'll be marked as a prospect to pay attention to. He'll be in the outfield with Mike Zuanich, who hopes to follow in Ryan Spilborghs footsteps as a UC Santa Barbara product and crack the Rockies as a later round find. 17 year-old Australian David Kandilas is listed on Casper's roster, but is not expected to play with the team until 2009.
Colorado Springs: Sean Smith was put on the DL shortly after entering the Rockies organization, but he's been pitching well since his return. In ten innings for the Sky Sox he's allowed eight hits, two runs, zero walks and struck out five. After a handful of games with Modesto, Troy Tulowitzki has been cleared to start a rehab assignment with the Sky Sox tonight.
Tulsa: Dexter Fowler has a ten game hitting streak, hitting .488 with ten doubles, a triple and a homerun in that span. He's scored twelve runs, walked five times and struck out ten times in that span. In ten games he's had as many doubles as he had in the 58 games prior to the streak.
Modesto: Cole Garner was put on the DL with a sprained wrist, as he's been slow to recover after getting hit by a pitch May 19. Keith Weiser has pitched into the seventh inning allowing two runs or eass in four of his last five starts but only has a 2-2 record in that span. Weiser has overtaken Aneury Rodriguez for the team lead in innings pitched.
Asheville: The Tourists stumbled to the finish line, but they crossed the first half tape ahead of their division with a win on Sunday and ensured themselves of a playoff spot when the season wraps up. The first half MVP has to be Jhoulys Chacin, who is tied with Aaron Cook for most wins in the system with ten and is starting the SAL All-Star Game tonight.
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