Double-a Hartford Yard Goats
As if the Rockies needed more bonafide middle infield prospects, another sure-handed shortstop is turning heads with Double-a Hartford.
Alan Trejo, 23, was Colorado’s 16th-round pick in 2017 out of San Diego State. Long known for his glove work and a high-average approach in the box, Trejo has added another element to his game with a career-high 13 home runs this year.
“He’s always been thought of as a defender first, where he’s excellent, but he’s swung the bat really well this year too,” Yard Goats manager Warren Schaeffer said. “He’s starting to show some shortstop power that a lot of people didn’t know he had.”
The team’s most notable prospects continue to progress, too. Corner infielder Colton Welker, Colorado’s No. 2 overall prospect per MLB Pipeline, keeps demonstrating “a knack for finding the barrel at an advanced rate,” Schaeffer said. “And he studies and remembers pitchers better than anybody I’ve ever seen, especially for a 21-year-old.”
Welker is hitting .259 with eight homers and 45 RBIS, while first baseman Tyler Nevin (the Rockies’ No. 5 overall prospect) is hitting .239 with six homers and 38 RBIS.
“Tyler’s got a great line drive stroke, a great pedigree and he continues to build on the recent success he’s had after winning the batting title in the Arizona Fall League,” Schaeffer said.
The Yard Goats’ best pitchers this year — closer Ben Bowden and starter Rico Garcia — were both promoted to Triple-a Albuquerque on June 20. But Schaeffer pointed out the impressive performances of a pair of right-handed pitchers that remain on the roster.
Alexander Guillen is “a fringe prospect who’s really made a name for himself in a relief role this year” by posting a 1.13 ERA with 81 strikeouts in 28 games. And fellow righty Health Holder, a long reliever-turned-starter, has posted a 2.54 ERA with 78 strikeouts in 25 games (eight starts).
“Holder has a nasty cutter, a breaking ball and an attacking attitude that has him going right after hitters with a lot of success,” Schaeffer said. — Kyle Newman, The Denver Post