Brecht -- in 1st outing since '24 Draft -- wows at Spring Breakout
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Sunday's Spring Breakout showcase was the perfect unveiling for Rockies No. 5 prospect Brody Brecht. A right-handed pitcher from the University of Iowa whom the Rockies selected 38th overall last summer, Brecht had a nice collegiate resume, an interesting backstory as a former wide receiver for the
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Sunday's Spring Breakout showcase was the perfect unveiling for Rockies No. 5 prospect Brody Brecht.
A right-handed pitcher from the University of Iowa whom the Rockies selected 38th overall last summer, Brecht had a nice collegiate resume, an interesting backstory as a former wide receiver for the Hawkeyes and, of course, an attention-grabbing prospect ranking. But because he didn’t play in the Minors after being drafted, he was seen only on the back fields during instructional ball and Minor League camp.
After Brecht’s spotless, two-strikeout inning in the Rockies prospects' 3-1 victory over the White Sox prospects at Camelback Ranch, a wider audience should want to see more from him.
Brecht, 22, was more than eager for his breakout.
“It’s been a long offseason -- a long time without a game -- especially after not going [to a Minor League team] after the Draft,” Brecht said. “So I was really excited to go out there and play the game.”
Brecht replaced starter Gabriel Hughes (who threw two scoreless innings) and came back from a 2-0 count to fan White Sox No. 29 prospect Wilfred Veras swinging, authored another swinging K of Tim Elko and worked Chicago's No. 10 prospect George Wolkow into a fly ball to right field.
Out of the six swings he induced, Brecht coaxed four whiffs, a foul ball and Wolkow’s fly ball.
“I just wanted to establish a fastball and let everything else play off that -- let the slider work, let the splitter go to work, too,” Brecht said. “Just attack the zone, get ahead early and then everything else plays off each other.”
It’s not just Minor League fans and Rockies Nation who want to see more of Brecht.
“I absolutely loved his arm action, snapping that breaking ball really well,” said Double-A Hartford manager Bobby Meacham, who managed the Rockies' Spring Breakout club. “I could tell how happy he was to be out there healthy and pitching in a game like this. It must’ve been a ton of fun.”
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
THREE MORE TAKEAWAYS FROM SPRING BREAKOUT
• Hughes (Colorado's No. 16 prospect) rounded out the impression: Many in Rockies camp were taken by Hughes’ intellectually curious manner, and impressed by the way he has been gradually rebuilding his off-speed pitches since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023.
But after each of his innings -- the two-strikeout first inning and a second-inning that featured a double-play grounder from MLB Pipeline's No. 39-ranked prospect Colson Montgomery -- Hughes was quite animated as he left the mound. He is as competitive as he is cerebral.
“I’m never going to back down the intensity,” Hughes said. “That’s just how I play, and I was happy to be able to go out and showcase that intensity.
“It’s incredible being around guys that I’m going to be moving up with, playing with in the future. And we came out with a win.”
• Amador (Rockies' No. 7 prospect) shows his full game: Considering Adael Amador’s bat-to-ball skills and strike-zone control, it's no surprise that he boasts a .472 on-base percentage and .805 OPS in 16 Cactus League games this spring.
While Amador is more a gap hitter than a power hitter, he knocked 14 homers in Hartford last year and showed off his power with a two-run homer off Riley Gowens in the sixth inning Sunday.
But the lasting impression came when Amador ranged to his left to nab Montgomery’s grounder to start a double play in the second. Amador moved from shortstop last year, but he took much of the season to find a level of comfort.
After bulking up last year, Amador lost movement and flexibility and dealt with oblique issues. The new Amador looks the part of a second baseman.
“I love that kid,” said Meacham, who managed Amador last season and made developing him as a second baseman a personal project. “He worked his butt off and I could see that coming into Spring Training. I saw him the first day and was like, ‘Wow. He looks great, looks like he lost a little weight.’ Then the first time I saw him fielding ground balls, I was like, ‘He’s been working on some of the stuff.’”
• Remember these arms: In 2023, righty prospect Jordy Vargas (No. 14 in the Rockies' system) joined Hughes and Rockies rotation members Germán Márquez and Antonio Senzatela in undergoing Tommy John surgeries from Rangers physician Dr. Keith Meister over one of the darkest periods in Rockies history. Now healthy, Vargas threw a clean, 13-pitch seventh inning.
“I didn’t know much about him, but I saw him pitch once earlier this spring and it was a ‘Who is that guy?’ kind of thing,” Meacham said. “It’s so fun to see guys have success after going through that full year of work coming back from surgery.”
Lefty reliever Welinton Herrera (No. 23) entered with two out and two on in the fifth and fanned White Sox No. 8 prospect Chase Meidroth.
“He’s kind of flown under the radar with people outside of the Rockies, not us,” Rockies pitching strategist Flint Wallace said of Herrera, 20, who struck out 92 in 62 1/3 combined innings with Single-A Fresno and High-A Spokane last year.
Senior Reporter Thomas Harding has covered the Rockies since 2000, and for MLB.com since 2002.
Rumble Ponies Blank Fisher Cats For Sixth-Straight Win
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies (9-6) shut out the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, 3-0, on Wednesday night at Mirabito Stadium. Binghamton has now won six games in a row. Right-hander Jack Wenninger (4-0) was dominant again in his fourth start of the season. Wenninger earned the victory and
Four-Run Eighth Inning Pushes Binghamton Past New Hampshire
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies (8-6) defeated the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, 6-2, in the series opener on Tuesday at Mirabito Stadium. It marked Binghamton’s fifth-straight win. With the game tied 2-2 in the bottom of the eighth, eight batters came to the plate and four runs scored
Rehabbing McNeil homers, Binghamton defeats Reading for first series win
READING, Pa. – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies (7-6) defeated the Reading Fightin Phils, 3-2, in the series finale on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium. Binghamton won its fourth-straight game and claimed a series victory for the first time this season. New York Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil continued his rehab assignment
Mets’ Jeff McNeil to Begin Rehab Assignment with Double-A Binghamton Saturday
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – New York Mets IF/OF Jeff McNeil will be joining the Binghamton Rumble Ponies on a rehab assignment on Saturday in Reading. McNeil has played 801 games with the Mets since his Major League debut in 2018. The two-time all-star (2019, 2022) won the National League batting title
Binghamton Holds On for Wire-to-Wire Win in Reading
READING, Pa. – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies (5-6) held on to defeat the Reading Fightin Phils, 6-5, on Friday night at FirstEnergy Stadium, despite a late comeback bid from Reading. Binghamton led the entire game and tied the series, 2-2. New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez continued his rehab assignment
Rumble Ponies Race Past Fightin Phils for Road Victory
READING, Pa. – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies (4-6) received contributions on offense, defense, and on the mound and defeated the Reading Fightin Phils, 6-2, on Thursday night at FirstEnergy Stadium. Shortstop Jett Williams hit a leadoff opposite-field home run on the third pitch of the game, which gave Binghamton a
Thursday April 24 Rumble Ponies Game Start Time Moved up to 12 P.M.
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – The start time for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies game on Thursday, April 24 against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats has been moved up to 12 p.m. It will now be played as part of a doubleheader, with the second game being a makeup for the game that
Binghamton Falls in Tight Battle at Reading
READING, Pa. – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies (3-6) fell to the Reading Fightin Phils, 7-4, in a tight battle on Wednesday night at FirstEnergy Stadium. New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez continued his rehab assignment with Binghamton and went 1-for-4 with two runs batted in, while catching the entire game
Binghamton Drops Series Opener in Reading
READING, Pa. – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies (3-5) fell to the Reading Fightin Phils, 12-2, in the series opener at FirstEnergy Stadium on Tuesday night. New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez began a rehab assignment with Binghamton and went 1-for-3 with a solo home run, single, and was hit by
Mets C Francisco Alvarez to Begin Rehab Assignment with Double-A Binghamton Tuesday
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Binghamton on Tuesday night against the Reading Fightin Phils. Alvarez has played 228 games with the Mets since making his Major League debut at the end of 2022. Over the past two seasons, he
McLean, Suarez Dazzle in Ponies’ Win Over Goats
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies (3-4) defeated the Hartford Yard Goats, 2-1, in the series finale on Sunday afternoon at Mirabito Stadium. Right-hander Nolan McLean (1-0) made the start for Binghamton and earned the victory. He struck out six batters over five innings and allowed just one run
Saturday’s Rumble Ponies Game against Hartford Postponed
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – Due to inclement weather in the area throughout the day, Saturday’s Rumble Ponies game against the Hartford Yard Goats at Mirabito Stadium has been postponed. It will be made up during the Rumble Ponies series in Hartford May 13-18. The #42 Rumble Ponies jersey giveaway to honor
Binghamton Splits Doubleheader with Hartford
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies (2-4) split their doubleheader with the Hartford Yard Goats (5-2) on Friday at Mirabito Stadium. Binghamton won the first game and Hartford came-from-behind to win the second game. Game One: Rumble Ponies 10, Yard Goats 1 (Final/7) Right-hander Jack Wenninger (2-0) made the
Thursday’s Rumble Ponies Game Postponed, Doubleheader to be Played Friday
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – Due to inclement weather in the forecast, Thursday’s Rumble Ponies game against the Hartford Yard Goats at Mirabito Stadium has been postponed. It will be made up as part of a doubleheader (two seven-inning games) on Friday. The first game will get underway at 3 p.m., with
Binghamton Drops Both to Hartford in Home-Opening Doubleheader
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies (1-3) were swept by the Hartford Yard Goats (4-1) in Wednesday’s doubleheader at Mirabito Stadium. These games were Binghamton’s first two home games of the season. Game One: Yard Goats 4, Rumble Ponies 0 (Final/7) Binghamton right-hander Jonathan Pintaro (0-1) allowed two runs
SNY to Broadcast Binghamton Rumble Ponies Games Again on Television in 2025
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies, Double-A Affiliate of the New York Mets, are pleased to announce that for a second straight year, SNY, the flagship television home of the New York Mets, will be carrying Rumble Ponies games on television this season. The Rumble Ponies will appear on
Tuesday’s Rumble Ponies Home Opener Postponed, Doubleheader to be Played Wednesday
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – Due to forecasted evening wind chills in the teens and other weather considerations, Tuesday’s Rumble Ponies home opener presented by M&T Bank against the Hartford Yard Goats has been postponed. It will be made up as part of a doubleheader (two seven-inning games) on Wednesday. The first
Binghamton Falls Despite Strong Pitching Performances
MANCHESTER, N.H. – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies (1-1) fell to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, 1-0, on Sunday afternoon in the series finale at Delta Dental Stadium. One unearned run was the difference in the game. Binghamton’s pitching staff has not allowed an earned run over 18 innings across the
Saturday’s Rumble Ponies Game at New Hampshire Postponed, Doubleheader to be Played Sunday
MANCHESTER, N.H. – Saturday’s game between the Binghamton Rumble Ponies and the New Hampshire Fisher Cats at Delta Dental Stadium has been postponed due to inclement weather in the forecast. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader (two seven-inning games) on Sunday with the first game
Binghamton Pitchers Dominate in Season-Opening Win
MANCHESTER, N.H. – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies (1-0) used dominant pitching to defeat the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, 3-1, in the season opener at Delta Dental Stadium on Friday night. Binghamton’s four pitchers combined to allow just three hits, one unearned run and zero earned runs. Right-hander Jack Wenninger (1-0)
Rumble Ponies Announce Preliminary 2025 Opening Day Roster
BINGHAMTON, NY – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies, Double-A Affiliate of the New York Mets, announced their preliminary 2025 Opening Day roster Tuesday. This year’s roster is headlined by four of the top six Mets Prospects according to MLB Pipeline. IF/OF Jett Williams (#2), 1B Ryan Clifford (#4), RHP Nolan McLean
Townsquare Media Continues to Serve as Radio Home for Rumble Ponies Radio Broadcasts as part of Multi-Year Extension
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – The Binghamton Rumble Ponies, Double-A Affiliate of the New York Mets, and Townsquare Media announced a multi-year extension that continues a four-decade relationship keeping Townsquare Media as the radio home of all Rumble Ponies games. All 2025 Rumble Ponies games will air on WNBF News Radio 1290
’24 Rumble Ponies Shine in 2025 Mets Prospects Spring Breakout Win
2024 Rumble Ponies Ryan Clifford, Jonah Tong, Jett Williams, Kevin Parada, and Jonathan Pintaro led the way for the 2025 New York Mets Spring Breakout squad in their 5-1 win over the Washington Nationals Prospects Sunday at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Clifford, MLB Pipeline’s #4 ranked prospect in
“Spicy Meatballs” Alternate Identity Reveal Receives Rave Reviews
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – Another Binghamton Rumble Ponies alternate identity reveal has received widespread acclaim and national media attention. The Binghamton Rumble Ponies announcement Sunday that they will be playing as the Southern Tier Spicy Meatballs, presented by Mirabito, August 14-16 has generated unprecedented excitement ahead of the start of the
Binghamton Rumble Ponies To Rebrand as Southern Tier Spicy Meatballs For Select Games This August
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – In honor of National Meatball Day, the Binghamton Rumble Ponies are excited to unveil the Club’s newest alternate identity for the 2025 season, the Southern Tier Spicy Meatballs. The introduction of the Southern Tier Spicy Meatballs comes following the successful unveiling of the Binghamton Bathtub Donkeys, which