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.
Southwest Virginia natives Mabe, Fuhrman rejoin River Turtles for 2023 season
PULASKI, Va. - After spending the 2022 season with the River Turtles, pitcher Avery Mabe and outfielder Connor Fuhrman will return to Calfee Park for the 2023 campaign. Mabe, a graduate of George Wythe High School in Wytheville, Va., enjoyed the added benefit of playing close to home last season.
Calfee Park announces 2023 promotional nights calendar
In conjunction with the launch of individual game night ticket sales, Calfee Park Baseball, Inc. and the Pulaski River Turtles have released their 2023 promotional nights calendar. The expansive list of promotional nights includes traditional favorites such as Agriculture Night, the return of the popular Saddle-Up Sunday cowboy-themed night and
Pulaski River Turtles announce coaching staff
With a new baseball season less than two months away, the Pulaski River Turtles are unveiling the on-field staff that will lead the team’s 2023 Appalachian League campaign. Staff members joining third-year manager Clark Crist include third-year hitting coach Roger Hill, with pitching coach Chris Monroe and former MLB pro
River Turtles launching community service program in 2023
The Pulaski River Turtles have partnered with Foresight Design Services to introduce a new community service initiative benefiting the Town of Pulaski. Comprised of Pulaski River Turtles players, team members and front office staff, the “Pitch-In Program” will debut in June with the initial mission of roadside beautification on streets
Appalachian League's 2023 managers set to take the helm
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Over the last several weeks, Appalachian League teams have announced their managers for the 2023 season. That group includes four brand-new faces with more than 150 years of combined experience in professional baseball. Former big league manager John McLaren, along with Dennis Cook, Bill Kinneberg and
Appalachian League participates in MLK Day of Service
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - Appalachian League executives participated in the 28th annual MLK Day of Service on Jan. 16, 2023, volunteering in nine communities across North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. Tabbed as a “day on, not a day off” to celebrate the life and legacy of the Civil
Crist returning for third season as manager of River Turtles
PULASKI, Va. – The Pulaski River Turtles are hoping that the third time’s the charm with manager Clark Crist. Having notched a pair of top-two finishes in the Appalachian League East division in his first two seasons of competition as the manager of the Pulaski franchise, Crist is returning for
Appalachian League celebrates 2022 charitable contributions
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced that the league’s charitable outreach grew to more than $3.4 million of gift-in-kind and monetary donations this year. Additionally, the league and its clubs volunteered more than 11,000 hours of community service. The league’s reach impacts the towns and cities their 10
Pulaski River Turtles release 2023 schedule
PULASKI, Va. – A new season of Pulaski River Turtles baseball is slated to begin Tuesday, June 6, on the road against the Bluefield Ridge Runners, with Opening Night at Calfee Park scheduled for Thursday, June 8, against the Danville Otterbots. Released today, the 2023 Pulaski River Turtles schedule includes
Appy League adds Justin Morgenstern as director of player personnel
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League is pleased to announce the hiring of Justin Morgenstern as the new director of player personnel. Morgenstern joins the Appalachian League from the Philadelphia Phillies, where he was an area scout since 2016. Morgenstern spent his first three years with the organization covering
Appalachian League announces Humanitarian of the Year nominees
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced the 10 nominees for its 2022 Humanitarian of the Year award. The Humanitarian of the Year award is given to the Appalachian League player that has been judged to have made the most notable contributions in his community during the season through
2022 All-Appalachian League Team announced
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The Appalachian League announced the 2022 All-Appalachian League Team. The honorees were nominated and voted on by the league’s managers. The All-Appalachian League Team is highlighted by Bluefield’s Jackson Feltner, who was named Player of the Year, and Burlington’s Mason Ruh, who earned Pitcher of the
River Turtles finish home slate, sweep Otterbots
On Thursday night, in their home finale, the Pulaski River Turtles swept the Danville Otterbots with an 8-7 win. Despite Danville’s late surge, Pulaski’s hot start propelled it to a win in its final home game of the 2022 season. Appy League home run leader Christian Smith hitting a homer
Power and pitching leads Pulaski over Danville
Dominant pitching and a grand slam from Christian Smith hurled Pulaski to an 8-2 win over the Danville Otterbots on Wednesday. Danville got on the board early after a ground out from designated hitter Corbin Lanowitz brought in a run to put them up 1-0 after the first frame. Pulaski
River Turtles see fortunes reversed in Game 2 loss to Ridge Runners
The Pulaski River Turtles fell to the Bluefield Ridge Runners, 16-5, in Game 2 of Monday’s doubleheader. Spectators saw a completely different game played in the second half of the doubleheader, as Bluefield was on the offense this time around. Just like Game 1, Bluefield struck early. An RBI infield
Pulaski ride big inning to Game 1 win in doubleheader Monday
Pulaski’s offense shined Monday, as the River Turtles took down the Bluefield Ridge Runners, 13-4, in Game 1 of a doubleheader. Just like the last doubleheader at home, Pulaski had a dominant inning to take Game 1. Bluefield started the game off with a bang, where a three-run no-doubter from
Johnson Jr. hits walk-off single, East tops West at 2022 Appy League All-Star Game
BURLINGTON, N.C. -- The East defeated the West, 6-5, at the 2022 Appalachian League All-Star Game presented by Visit Alamance on Tuesday night at Burlington Athletic Stadium. After Greeneville's Brock Daniels (Missouri) hit a game-tying two-run single with two outs in the top of the ninth, Danville's RJ Johnson Jr
Fondtain, Herrmann receive Appalachian League weekly honors
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- The Appalachian League announced that Pulaski's TJ Fondtain (San Diego State) and Danville's Andrew Herrmann (Wofford) were named the Player and Pitcher of the Week of July 18-24, respectively. Fondtain hit .542 (13-for-24) with three home runs and nine RBI in six games played for the
River Turtles split doubleheader with Kingsport
Game 1 The Pulaski River Turtles took down the Kingsport Axmen 7-2 in Game 1 of a Sunday doubleheader. The game was on track to be a low-scoring affair until Pulaski exploded for six runs in the sixth. Kingsport got the board first, where an E-1 in the top of
River Turtles fall to Elizabethton in high-scoring affair
The Pulaski River Turtles fell to the Elizabethton River Riders, 22-16, on Friday night. The teams combined for 38 hits and 38 runs in an offensive shootout. Elizabethton got on the board quickly, scoring three runs in the top of the first. A wild pitch that brought in right fielder
River Turtles take down River Riders, 8-7
In a hard-fought battle, the Pulaski River Turtles take down the Elizabethton River Riders, 8-7, on Thursday. Pulaski got on the board as quickly as you can, as leadoff hitter Rodney Green Jr. homered the first pitch he saw over the right field wall. A groundout by third baseman Ryland
Roster announced for 2022 Appy League All-Star Game presented by Visit Alamance
The Appalachian League announced the rosters for the second Appy League All-Star Game presented by Visit Alamance. The rosters will feature 44 of the league's top players from the East and West Divisions, as nominated and voted on by the league's managers. The Visit Alamance All-Star Game is scheduled to