Rox young sluggers aim to bring pop back to Coors Field
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Coors Field may provide the best run-scoring environment in Major League Baseball, but the Rockies haven’t taken advantage of it in recent years. Even without adjusting for Coors, they have fielded offenses worse than the league average the past three seasons, and they scored the fewest runs
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Coors Field may provide the best run-scoring environment in Major League Baseball, but the Rockies haven’t taken advantage of it in recent years. Even without adjusting for Coors, they have fielded offenses worse than the league average the past three seasons, and they scored the fewest runs per game (4.21) and generated the second-lowest slugging percentage (.400) in franchise history in 2024.
Not coincidentally, Colorado lost 101 games last season, two shy of the franchise low point established the year before.
Fortunately for the Rockies, they have some slugging outfielders on the way. They spent the No. 3 overall pick and a Draft-record $9.25 million bonus on outfielder Charlie Condon in July, just as Robert Calaz was putting the finishing touches on an MVP season and Triple Crown in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League. Yanquiel Fernandez had a strong season at Double-A and could arrive in Denver at some point this year.
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
Condon was the most devastating hitter in college baseball last year, winning the Golden Spikes Award as the nation’s best amateur after leading NCAA Division I in batting (.433), slugging (1.009), OPS (1.565), homers (37), extra-base hits (58) and total bases (233) as a redshirt sophomore at Georgia. He not only features top-of-the-scale raw power that plays from foul pole to foul pole, but he also has a relatively compact right-handed swing and makes good swing decisions.
Colorado has yet to see Condon at his best. A bone spur in his right finger led to him changing his grip on the bat during an underwhelming pro debut at High-A. Now he’ll miss the first month of this season after sustaining a non-displaced fracture of his left wrist while diving for a ball on March 11.
“I’ve been here a while,” said farm director Chris Forbes, who started with the Rockies as an area scout in 2006, “and Charlie is probably the most complete hitting prospect we’ve had. We didn’t get the best version of him last year because he got hit by a pitch on his hand at Georgia and tried to play through the injury. There could be more power in there because we haven’t tapped into the strength component yet.”
The prize of the Rockies’ 2023 international class, Calaz signed for $1.7 million out of the Dominican Republic. After posting a .984 OPS in his pro debut in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League, he came to the United States last year and slashed .349/.462/.651 with 10 homers and 45 RBIs in 49 ACL games. Already quite physical at 6-foot-2 and 202 pounds, he continued to mash at Single-A in the final month as an 18-year-old, making exceptionally loud contact for his age.
“Robert didn’t even want to play baseball growing up,” Forbes said. “The kids in his town needed him to fill out their team and he wanted to ride his horse. They were frustrated because they knew how good he could be, so they threw rocks trying to knock him off his horse.
“The beauty of Robert is that he can’t describe how he does what he does. That innocence is intriguing. His body moves really quick. He’s still learning the game.”
Another product of Colorado’s international efforts, Fernandez left Cuba before signing for $295,000 in July 2019. As physical as Calaz, Fernandez totaled 46 homers in his first two full pro seasons but tapered off to 12 last year. He made adjustments and provided more consistent contact when he repeated Double-A to begin 2024 but scuffled following an August promotion to Triple-A.
“In Double-A, we saw his hit ability start to show up,” Forbes said. “He started recognizing what pitchers were trying to do to him and started taking what they gave him. Sometimes he tries to create power, and in Triple-A, guys mixed their pitches and located better and cut him up. He needs to lock into making better swing decisions.”
Camp standout: Zac Veen
The ninth overall pick in the 2020 Draft, Veen has played in just 111 games the past two seasons while dealing with wrist, thumb and back injuries. He’s healthy now and making an unexpected push for a starting outfield job with his play and nonstop energy in the Cactus League. Through last Saturday, he led the Rockies in homers (two), extra-base hits (seven) and steals (six) while slashing .325/.413/.625.
“This is a ton of fun -- the most fun I’ve ever had,” Veen told MLB.com’s Thomas Harding. “It’s so much fun because we’re playing baseball every day, and I get to play with a lot of guys I’ve watched growing up and guys that I came up with in the system. It’s a great time.”
Breakout potential: Kyle Karros
An ankle injury at UCLA helped knock down Karros down to the fifth round of the 2023 Draft, but the third baseman won High-A Northwest League MVP honors in his first full pro season and nearly captured the Triple Crown as well by slashing .311/.390/.485 with 15 homers and 78 RBIs in 126 games. The son of 1992 National League Rookie of the Year Eric Karros, Kyle is one of the best pure hitters in the system and could tap into some more power.
“We eventually see Kyle as a 20-25-home run guy,” Forbes said. “He’s done exactly what we’ve asked of him, which is stay with the hittability piece for now. We love the way he has carried himself in his first big league camp. He’s got pedigree and he sure got some good advice from his dad.”
Bounceback candidate: Benny Montgomery
The Rockies still have high hopes for Montgomery, whom they drafted eighth overall in 2021. He lost half of 2022 to a quadriceps injury and most of last season to surgery on his left shoulder. He needs to prove he can make consistent contact but still possesses an all-around tools package as good as any in the system, with double-plus speed and plus raw power, arm strength and center-field defense.
“I think Benny is going to have a very good year,” Forbes said. “He’s healthy and looked good in our high-performance camp in January. He came in from high school and it took some time to get comfortable in the pro setting, but he looks like a man now.”
Jim Callis is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him @jimcallisMLB and @jimcallis.bsky.social. Listen to him on the weekly MLB Pipeline Podcast.
Offense Stalled In 7-2 Setback To Tarpons
TAMPA, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays offense was stymied as they fell to the Tampa Tarpons 7-2 on Thursday night in game three of a six-game series at The Tank. RHP Austin Cates (5.1 IP, 4 R, 6 H, 2 BB, 1 K) fired 5.1 frames with four runs
Aponte Clears the Bases, Jays Win Thriller in Tampa
TAMPA, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays defeated the Tampa Tarpons 6-5 on Wednesday night in a thriller in game two of their six-game series at The Tank. Dunedin has won back-to-back games to open up their series, and have won four of their last five contests. RHP Gilberto Batista
Munoz’s Three-Hit Game, Defensive Gems Spark Jays Past Tarpons
DUNEDIN, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays topped the Tampa Tarpons 6-3 on Tuesday evening backed by timely hitting in game one of their six-game series at The Tank. RHP Khal Stephen (5 IP, 2 R, 2 R, 6 H, 0 BB, 5 K) fired five frames and allowed a
Varsho Continues Rehab Assignment, Jays Drop Series Finale to Lakeland
DUNEDIN, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays dropped their series finale to the Lakeland Flying Tigers 4-1 on Sunday afternoon at TD Ballpark. Daulton Varsho appeared in his second game on MLB Rehab Assignment with Dunedin, and played seven innings in centerfield, going 0-for-3. RHP Colby Holcombe (5 IP, 3
Arnold Goes Deep Twice, Yesavage and Stanifer Combine for 17 Ks In Win Over Lakeland
DUNEDIN, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays were firing on all cylinders as they defeated the Lakeland Flying Tigers 12-3 on Saturday night at TD Ballpark in game five of a six-game series. After falling behind 3-1 in the 5th inning, Dunedin scored 11 unanswered runs. The Jays are nine
Daulton Varsho Assigned To Dunedin On MLB Rehab Assignment
DUNEDIN, FL – The Toronto Blue Jays have assigned outfielder Daulton Varsho to Class-A Dunedin on MLB Rehab Assignment beginning Saturday, April 19, ahead of Dunedin’s 6:30 PM game against the Lakeland Flying Tigers at TD Ballpark. Varsho, who was named the 2024 American League Gold Glove winner for centerfield
Munoz Homers In Third Straight, Jays Outslug Flying Tigers
DUNEDIN, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays offense erupted to take down the Lakeland Flying Tigers 11-7 on Friday night at TD Ballpark in game four of a six-game series. Dunedin’s 11 hits, two home runs, and four extra-base hits all mark their second most in a contest this season.
Munoz Homers Again, Jays Fall On Education Day
DUNEDIN, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays fell 6-4 to the Lakeland Flying Tigers in Thursday’s matinee at TD Ballpark in game three of a six-game series. RHP Daniel Guerra (3.2 IP, 4 R, 4 H, 3 BB, 3 K) yielded three runs in 3.2 innings of work and was
Offense Explodes For 18 Runs As Jays Down Flying Tigers
DUNEDIN, FL - A 12-hit, 18-run, three-homer offensive outburst powered the Dunedin Blue Jays to an 18-2 victory over the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Wednesday night at TD Ballpark in game two of a six-game series. The Blue Jays opened the contest by scoring 16 unanswered runs in the first
Tibbitts Goes Deep, Dunedin Falls In Series Opener To Lakeland
Dunedin, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays fell to the Lakeland Flying Tigers 4-2 on Tuesday night at TD Ballpark in game one of a six-game series. RHP Colby Holcombe (5 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 H, 3 BB, 7 K) took the loss, allowing two earned runs in
Javen Coleman Named FSL Pitcher of the Week
DUNEDIN, FL - Dunedin Blue Jays LHP Javen Coleman has been named the Florida State League Pitcher of the Week for April 8–13, after he combined to throw 4.1 shutout innings across two appearances in Jupiter, allowing just one hit, no walks, and striking out nine. The 23-year-old picked up
Freethy Drives In Five, Yesavage Shines As Jays Rout Jupiter
JUPITER, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays downed the Jupiter Hammerheads 10-2 on Sunday afternoon at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in their six-game series finale, securing a series split. Dunedin’s 12 hits and four extra-base hits marked the team’s season highs. RHP Trey Yesavage (4 IP, 1 R, 3 H,
Beltre’s Big Night Not Enough, Jays’ Skid Hits Three
JUPITER, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays dropped their third straight contest to the Jupiter Hammerheads, falling 13-6 on Saturday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in game five of a six-game series. The contest saw four lead changes in the first four innings. RHP Austin Cates (2.2 IP, 5
Arnold Homers, Late Rally Falls Short
JUPITER, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays were defeated by the Jupiter Hammerheads in a heartbreaker 5-4 on Friday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in game four of a six-game series. After trailing 5-0 early, Dunedin mounted a late comeback by scoring twice in both the 8th and 9th
Stephen Fans Nine, Walk-Off Sinks Jays
The Dunedin Blue Jays fell to the Jupiter Hammerheads in walk-off fashion 3-2 on Thursday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in game three of a six-game series. Over the first five games of the season, Blue Jays starting pitchers have allowed just two earned runs over 27.2 combined innings
Walk-Heavy Jays Top Jupiter For Second Straight Win
JUPITER, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays took down the Jupiter Hammerheads 7-4 on Wednesday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in game two of a six-game series. Dunedin has won back-to-back games for the first time this season. With six walks on Wednesday, the Blue Jays have worked 45
Record-Setting 22 Walks Lift Dunedin Over Jupiter In Wild Win
JUPITER, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays defeated the Jupiter Hammerheads 19-5 in a record setting walk fest on Tuesday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in game one of a six-game series. The Blue Jays worked 22 walks, the most in a Florida State League game, and the most
Cates Dominates In Debut, But Jays Fall In Series Finale
The Dunedin Blue Jays fell by a score of 4-2 to the Clearwater Threshers on Sunday afternoon at TD Ballpark in their three-game series finale. RHP Austin Cates (5 IP, 0 R, 5 H, 0 BB, 2 K) threw five shutout innings in his professional debut. Cates, last year’s seventh
Rudd’s Career Day Powers Dunedin To First Win Of Season
The Dunedin Blue Jays took home their first win of the 2025 season on Saturday, defeating the Clearwater Threshers 4-1 at TD Ballpark in game two of a three game set. The victory marks the first in the managerial career of Blue Jays skipper Gil Kim. Dunedin’s pitching staff combined
Stephen Shines, Shaw Homers As Jays Drop Opener
The Dunedin Blue Jays fell to the Clearwater Threshers 8-4 in the 2025 season opener at TD Ballpark in game one of a three game set. RHP Khal Stephen (5 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 6 K) chucked five shutout frames with six strikeouts in his professional debut.
Dunedin Blue Jays Announce 2025 Opening Day Roster
DUNEDIN, FL – The Dunedin Blue Jays, Class-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, have announced their 2025 Opening Day roster, headlined by top pitching prospects RHP Trey Yesavage (Toronto’s No. 2 prospect per MLB Pipeline) and RHP Khal Stephen (No. 11), both set to make their professional debuts. Yesavage,
Dunedin Blue Jays Announce 2025 Promotional Schedule and Daily Specials
DUNEDIN, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays, Class-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, have announced their promotional schedule and daily specials for the 2025 season at TD Ballpark. Each day of the week throughout the season features a promotional offer to make the night at the park fun and
Dunedin Blue Jays Announce 2025 Coaching Staff
The Toronto Blue Jays have announced the 2025 coaching staff for the Class-A Dunedin Blue Jays, led by first-year manager Gil Kim. Kim brings a wealth of experience as a player, coach, and executive to Dunedin. He joined the Blue Jays front office in 2016 as Director of Player Development
Dunedin Blue Jays Announce 2025 Schedule
DUNEDIN, FL - The Dunedin Blue Jays have announced their schedule for the 2025 Florida State League season, which begins with Opening Day at TD Ballpark on April 4 vs. Clearwater (Phillies). The club will play a total of 66 home games at TD Ballpark against seven different teams across
Dunedin Kicks Off Spring Training With Free Welcome Back Blue Jays Event
DUNEDIN, FL - The City of Dunedin welcomes back the Toronto Blue Jays for Spring Training with a free open house event at TD Ballpark on Saturday, February 15th from 12 p.m. until 3 p.m. The event kicks off with a golf cart parade coordinated by Dunedin Goes Carting. The