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.
Big Fourth Frame Enough for Sacramento Against Tacoma
TACOMA, Wash. – A six-run explosion in the fourth inning was all the offense needed by the Sacramento River Cats on Tuesday, as Sacramento eased its way to a 6-1 victory over the Tacoma Rainiers in their series opener. In a game that started just after 7 p.m. due to
Carson Seymour Tabbed PCL Pitcher of the Week
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A dominant start for Carson Seymour has earned hardware from Minor League Baseball, as the Sacramento River Cats right-hander was named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week for April 1-6. Though he had just one outing, which came in game three of the series
River Cats Stay Close Until Late Against Aviators
LAS VEGAS – Twice in the early goings the Sacramento River Cats were able to knot the score with the Las Vegas Aviators, but in the end the Aviators put the game away with a six-run eighth to take the series finale by a score of 11-4 on Sunday. A
Wisely Homer Enough for Sacramento on Saturday
LAS VEGAS – A two-run blast from Brett Wisely in the top of the third was all the scoring needed by the Sacramento River Cats on Saturday, getting an early lift from the offense while the pitching did the rest of the work in a 2-0 shutout win over the
Early Cats Lead Slips Against Aviators
LAS VEGAS – Three straight runs helped the Sacramento River Cats build an early lead in game three of their series, but a pair of multi-run innings for the Las Vegas Aviators swung the game in favor of the home team by a 6-4 final on Friday. A Grant McCray
Cats Bunt Way to Extra-Innings Victory
LAS VEGAS – A two-run triple in the seventh erased the Sacramento River Cats’ lead on Thursday against the Las Vegas Aviators, but Sacramento persevered with a pair of runs in the 10th frame to win both its first road and extra-innings game by a 4-2 final. A well-timed stolen
Aviators Fly Over River Cats in Series Opener
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Six consecutive run-scoring innings, four of which were multi-run frames, were too much for the Sacramento River Cats to overcome as the Las Vegas Aviators controlled the series opener by a score of 14-2 on Tuesday. Pitching for the River Cats (2-2) had been stiff throughout
Brett Auerbach Named PCL Player of the Week
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Following an opening weekend in which he homered in both of the first two contests of the season, Sacramento River Cats infielder Brett Auerbach has been named the Pacific Coast League Player of the Week for March 28-30. For the series, Auerbach logged a hit in
Sacramento Denied Sweep as Albuquerque Takes Finale, 2-1
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A Brett Auerbach RBI double in the home half of the first seemed to put the Sacramento River Cats on the way to a series sweep, but the Albuquerque Isotopes fought back with a run in the third and fifth innings to steal the finale by
River Cats Ride Pitching to 2-0 Start
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Strong pitching efforts have spurred the Sacramento River Cats to a 2-0 start, as on Saturday the Sacramento staff shut down the Albuquerque Isotopes offense for most of the night while the River Cats used timely hitting for a 5-1 win. There was only one blip
Sacramento Starts Strong, Shuts Out Albuquerque
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Much like they did in 2024, the Sacramento River Cats started the 2025 in shutout fashion as Sacramento put together a complete effort in taking down the Albuquerque Isotopes, 8-0. Though not an identical copy of last season, there were many similarities in the 2025 River
Cats Claw Back, Bite Giants 4-3 In Exhibition
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – While big brother took the lead early, little brother got the last laugh with four unanswered runs as the Sacramento River Cats took down the San Francisco Giants by a final of 4-3 on Sunday night. The Giants (0-1), serving as the home team while visiting
River Cats Announce Partnership with Advanced Building Maintenance
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Sacramento River Cats and Sutter Health Park have announced a new multi-year partnership with Advanced Building Maintenance to lead engineering and janitorial services for the team and Sutter Health Park. “We are pleased to be partnering with Advanced Building Maintenance as we embark on a
The Nine — Reggie Crawford: Fluid as Water
Throughout February, MLB, MiLB and the Sacramento River Cats will celebrate the contributions and achievements of the Black baseball community, past and present, during Black History Month.
Kimberly-Clark Professional Becomes Proud Partner of Golden 1 Center and Sutter Health Park
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Today, the Golden 1 Center and Sutter Health Park announced a new multi-year, sustainability-focused partnership with Kimberly-Clark Professional™. Fans attending Kings and River Cats home games will benefit from Kimberly-Clark Professional’s high-quality paper towels, soap, and toilet paper, reinforcing both venues’ commitment to cleanliness and environmental responsibility.
The Nine — Spencer Bivens: Through the Valleys
Throughout February, MLB, MiLB and the Sacramento River Cats will celebrate the contributions and achievements of the Black baseball community, past and present, during Black History Month.
Sacramento River Cats Announce 2025 Coaching Staff
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Sacramento River Cats, proud Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, have announced their full coaching staff for the 2025 campaign. Returning in 2025 are four of Sacramento’s five on-field coaches from last season — Manager Dave Brundage, Pitching Coach Alain Quijano, Fundamentals Coach Jolbert
The Nine – Dusty Baker: A Baseball Life
Throughout February, MLB, MiLB and the Sacramento River Cats will celebrate the contributions and achievements of the Black baseball community, past and present, during Black History Month.
National Anthem Auditions Open for River Cats’ 2025 Season
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The opening of every ballgame starts with the National Anthem, and the Sacramento River Cats want to give you the chance to perform. The River Cats have announced their National Anthem auditions for the 2025 baseball season will take place at Sutter Health Park on Sunday,
River Cats Recognized as Top Triple-A Organization
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The Sacramento River Cats, proud Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, have been named the top Triple-A organization in Minor League Baseball (MiLB) as winner of the prestigious 2024 Bob Freitas Award by Baseball America. This is the second time that the River Cats have
First Half Single-Game Tickets on Sale, Promotions Revealed
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Fans will be sure to find plenty of fun and new surprises at Sutter Health Park next season as the Sacramento River Cats, proud affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, are excited to share the first half of their 2025 promotions schedule while also announcing single
River Cats 24-25 Offseason Update No. 1
With Thanksgiving (and all its leftovers) come and gone and all the kitchen stoves cooling off, the baseball hot stove is heating up as both MLB and MiLB teams start experimenting with their recipes for the 2025 campaign. Each team is building their holiday wish list, so let's dive in
River Cats Earn Gold, Three Bronze Medals from GOAL
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Thanks to the continued implementation of sustainability practices, the Sacramento River Cats have been awarded four medals from Green Operations & Advanced Leadership (GOAL) for their work on Waste Reduction, Diversity & Inclusion, and Sustainable Partnerships. For efforts throughout the 2024 season, the River Cats were
River Cats, Giants Set to Face Off at Sutter Health Park in 2025
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – For the second straight year and the fourth time in their shared history, the Sacramento River Cats will see the San Francisco Giants come to town for an exhibition contest to begin the season. Sutter Health Park will once more play host to the Giants, as
Close Contest Completed in Favor of Cats, 3-1
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. – A single run in the first, third and seventh innings were all that were needed for the Sacramento River Cats on Saturday, as Sacramento snatched a win in the penultimate game of the season thanks to a 3-1 decision over the Sugar Land Space Cowboys. During