Max George, rookie-league Grand Junction
It’s only the second full week of the season, and Grand Junction Rockies manager Jake Opitz is, admittedly, still feeling out many aspects of his squad.
But he’s seen enough of a couple of guys already to know that these Rockies, Colorado’s rookie-league affiliate, again have some guys to keep an eye on.
Headlining Grand Junction’s early hype list is Colorado’s fourth-round pick this year, outfielder Brenton Doyle. The first Division-ii player selected in the 2019 draft out of Shepherd University (West Virginia), Doyle is hitting .333 with two homers and eight RBIS through nine games.
“We call him ‘tooled-out,’” Opitz said. “He can run, he can throw, he can hit for power. He looks like a create-aplayer on a Playstation game. He’s 6-foot-3, 200 (pounds) and he’s a physical specimen. (The staff ) has only seen him for about a week, but we’ve seen some of his potential and we’re pretty impressed so far.”
Max George — a 2014 sixth-round draft pick out of Regis Jesuit High School — has also impressed. George, who played in Class-a Advanced Lancaster last season, went down to Grand Junction this year to accelerate his switch from infielder to catcher.
The 23-year-old earned Pioneer League player of the week honors this past week, batting .389 with four homers, nine RBIS and a 1.653 OPS in just five games.
“Obviously, learning the catching position at this point in his career is a tough thing to do,” Opitz said. “But Max is doing really well since switching there about two-and-a-half months ago. To see the progress he’s made in that short amount of time is impressive, and it’s nice to have kind of have a veteran guy at this level, who does things the right way. He’s formed into an early leader for us.”
One arm that has already stood out is 20-year-old right-hander Anderson Amarista, who has made two starts.
“He’s a guy who can really locate his fastball (92-93 mph) on both sides of the plate, has a really good changeup and a breaking ball,” Opitz said. “There’s a three-pitch mix with some pitchability.”