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.
Marlins Announce Jupiter Coaching Staff for 2025 Season
JUPITER, FL – The Miami Marlins have announced the coaching staff for the Jupiter Hammerheads for the 2025 season. Leading the sharks is new manager Nick Weisheipl, who takes over a Jupiter team that finished 65-65 in the Florida State League in 2024. Weisheipl enters his first season as a
Jupiter Hammerheads Schedule Adjusted for 2025 Season
JUPITER HAMMERHEADS SCHEDULE ADJUSTED FOR 2025 FSL SEASON JUPITER, FL – With the Tampa Bay Rays occupying George M. Steinbrenner Field, the home of the Tampa Tarpons (Class-A, New York Yankees), for the 2025 MLB season due to damage caused by Hurricane Milton at Tropicana Field, the Jupiter Hammerheads’ 2025
Jupiter Hammerheads Announce 2025 Schedule
JUPITER, FL – Minor League Baseball (MiLB) returns to "America’s Busiest Ballpark" this summer at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium as the Jupiter Hammerheads, Class-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, will begin their 2025 regular season campaign on Opening Night, April 4th, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. as the visiting team against
Eric Rataczak is Forging His Own Path
Eric Rataczak is the embodiment of the phrase “a diagnosis can change your life.” Before he was 19, Minnesota-native Rataczak didn’t think playing pro ball was in the cards for him. Having gotten no offers out of high school, he went to the University of San Diego and played club
Jupiter Eliminated from the FSL Playoffs with a 9-3 Loss to Palm Beach on Friday Night
JUPITER, FL – The Jupiter Hammerheads (65-63, 29-33) were officially eliminated from playoff contention as they fell to the Palm Beach Cardinals (81-47, 44-18) by a final score of 9-3 on Friday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Jupiter starting pitcher Nick Brink (L, 0-1), who was drafted in the
Jupiter on the Brink of Elimination Losing 4-2 to Palm Beach Thursday Night
JUPITER, FL – The Jupiter Hammerheads (65-62, 29-32) dropped Thursday night’s contest to the Palm Beach Cardinals (80-47, 43-18) by a final score of 4-2 at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. The Daytona/Bradenton game was postponed tonight, meaning if the Hammerheads lose any game this weekend, and the Tortugas win any
Jupiter's Playoff Hopes Hanging by Thread After 6-3 Loss to Palm Beach Wednesday Night
JUPITER, FL – The Jupiter Hammerheads (65-61, 29-31) are one game closer to elimination as they fell to the Palm Beach Cardinals (79-47, 42-18) by a final score of 6-3 on Wednesday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. With Daytona’s 8-6 loss to Bradenton, the Hammerheads are still two and
Hammerheads Stay in Playoff Hunt with 5-2 Win over Palm Beach Tuesday Night
JUPITER, FL – With the playoffs on the line and the odds stacked against them, the Jupiter Hammerheads (65-60, 29-30) defeated the Palm Beach Cardinals (78-47, 41-18) by a final score of 5-2 on Tuesday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. With the win, the Hammerheads are two and a
Hammerheads Shut Out Tortugas 6-0 in Regular Season Finale
JUPITER, FL – In the final meeting of the season, the Jupiter Hammerheads (61-57, 25-27) shut out the Daytona Tortugas (59-58, 28-23) by a final score of 6-0 on Sunday afternoon at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. It is the 10th shutout of the season for Jupiter who owns the head-to-head
Jupiter Snaps Five-Game Skid with a 5-2 Win Over Daytona on Saturday Night
JUPITER, FL – The Jupiter Hammerheads (60-57, 24-27) snapped their five-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the Daytona Tortugas (59-57, 28-22) on Saturday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. With the win, the Hammerheads win the regular season series over Daytona with a record of 13-10 going into
Fenwick Trimble is Trusting the Process
Born in Virginia, Trimble’s decision to go to James Madison University wasn’t unexpected. The ability to play at a higher level for a program that he connected to while also being close to home made for the perfect recipe for success. During his time at JMU, Trimble would go on
Jupiter Has Losing Streak Extend to Five Games with 2-1 Loss to Daytona
JUPITER, FL – The Jupiter Hammerheads (59-57, 23-27) matched a season-high five-game losing streak as they fell to the Daytona Tortugas (59-56, 27-21) by a final score of 2-1 on Friday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. With the loss, Jupiter loses the series and is now four and a
Jupiter Loses Late-Lead to Daytona Falling 2-1 Thursday Night
JUPITER, FL – In the fastest game of the season at one hour and 51 minutes, the Jupiter Hammerheads (59-55, 23-26) let a victory slip through their fins as they lost to the Daytona Tortugas (58-56, 27-21) by a final score of 2-1 on Thursday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet
Hammerheads Fall 7-1 to Tortugas Wednesday Night
JUPITER, FL – After falling into an early deficit, the Jupiter Hammerheads (59-54, 23-25) could not recover for the second consecutive night as they fell by a final score of 7-1 to the Daytona Tortugas (57-56, 26-21) on Wednesday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. With two losses to begin
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PARTNERS WITH SNAPCHAT
August 21, 2024 — On Wednesday, August 21st, Snapchat is coming to Jupiter, FL as a part of their recently announced partnership with Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) to promote their “Less Likes, More Love” campaign to highlight how people use Snapchat to spread love. All 120 Minor League teams will
Jupiter Hammered by Daytona 12-1 in Series Opener
JUPITER, FL – The Jupiter Hammerheads (59-54, 23-24) fell behind and didn't recover as they lost to the Daytona Tortugas (56-56, 25-21) by a final score of 12-1 on Tuesday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in the series opener. Daytona attacked quickly in the top of the first inning
Jupiter Drops Series Finale to Ft. Myers 5-4 in 10 Innings
JUPITER, FL – The Jupiter Hammerheads (56-50, 20-20) dropped the series finale to the Ft. Myers Mighty Mussels (56-47, 25-13) by a final score of 5-4 in 10 innings on Sunday afternoon. Jupiter goes 1-5 in the series and Ft. Myers takes the regular season series by going 7-5 in
Jupiter Drops Series to Ft. Myers with 6-3 Loss Saturday Night
JUPITER, FL – The Jupiter Hammerheads (56-49, 20-19) fell to the Ft. Myers Mighty Mussels (55-47, 24-13) by a final score of 6-3 on Saturday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. With the loss, Jupiter drops the series and falls to 2-5 in August. After a scoreless first inning, the
Jupiter Ends Four-Game Losing Streak with 10-5 Victory Over Ft. Myers Friday Night
JUPITER, FL – The Jupiter Hammerheads (56-48, 20-18) snapped their four-game losing streak with a comeback victory over the Ft. Myers Mighty Mussels (54-47, 23-13), winning by a final score of 10-5 on Friday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. It is the most runs scored by the Hammerheads since
Jupiter Drops Fourth-Straight Game Being Shut Out 2-0 to Ft. Myers Thursday Night
JUPITER, FL – The Jupiter Hammerheads (55-47, 19-18) dropped their fourth consecutive contest as they fell to the Ft. Myers Mighty Mussels 2-0 on Thursday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. It marked the seventh shutout loss for Jupiter in 2024 and first since July 2nd vs Palm Beach with
Jupiter Falls to Ft. Myers 10-2 After 8-Run Top of the First Inning
JUPITER, FL – The Jupiter Hammerheads (55-47, 19-17) were unable to overcome an eight-run top of the first inning as they fell to the Ft. Myers Mighty Mussels (53-46, 22-12) by a final score of 10-2 on Wednesday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. The Hammerheads had trouble getting out
Wild Pitch Gives Jupiter a 7-6 Walk-Off Victory over Daytona in 11 Innings
JUPITER, FL – The Jupiter Hammerheads (52-44, 16-14) walk-it-off on a wild pitch in the bottom of the 11th inning to defeat the Daytona Tortugas (46-47, 15-12) by a final score 7-6 on Sunday afternoon at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. It is the fifth walk-off win of the season and
Jupiter Falls to Daytona 5-2 on Saturday Night
JUPITER, FL - The Jupiter Hammerheads (51-44, 15-14) had their three-game win streak snapped with a 5-2 loss to the Daytona Tortugas (46-46, 15-11) on Saturday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. The game was scoreless until the bottom of the third inning. Kemp Alderman reached base on an error
Alderman's Walk-Off Home Run Gives Jupiter 4-3 Victory over Daytona in 11 Innings Friday Night
JUPITER, FL - After losing a lead late in the game, the Jupiter Hammerheads (51-33, 15-13) pulled away with a 4-3 walk-off victory in 11 innings on Friday night over the Daytona Tortugas (45-46, 14-11) thanks to a solo home run by Kemp Alderman. With the win, the Hammerheads extend
As the Oat Milkers, Jupiter Defeats Daytona 7-1 on Thursday Night
JUPITER, FL - Playing under the identity of MiLB's 121st professional team, the "Oat Milkers," the Jupiter Hammerheads (50-43, 14-13) defeated the Daytona Tortugas (45-45, 14-10) by a final score of 7-1 on Thursday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Jupiter got their bats going right away in the bottom