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.
Aces Offense Erupts in 20-7 Blowout Over Bees
SOUTH JORDAN, UT. - The Reno Aces came out swinging and never looked back in a dominant 20-7 rout of the Salt Lake Bees on Saturday afternoon. Reno Aces 20, Salt Lake Bees 7 WP: Taylor Rashi (1 - 0) LP: Brett Kerry (1 - 1) Game Summary Right out
Dana Deals, Bullpen Shuts Door on Reno
SOUTH JORDAN, UT. - The Salt Lake Bees advanced to over .500 for the first time this season thanks to a stellar performance from the entire pitching staff who tallied a season-high 15 strikeouts in the 5-2 win over Reno. Salt Lake Bees 5, Reno Aces 2 WP: Caden Dana
Bees Swarm Back with Sixth Inning Rally, Top Aces 6-3
SOUTH JORDAN, Utah - The Salt Lake Bees earned a come from behind victory on Thursday night by a score of 6-3 as Chuckie Robinson delivered a clutch two-run single in the sixth while the Bees bullpen kept the Aces off the scoreboard for the final seven innings of play.
Eighth Inning Fireworks Fuel Aces Comeback over Bees
SOUTH JORDAN, Utah - The Salt Lake Bees suffered a 6-2 loss on Wednesday night as Reno took advantage of the Bees leaving 16 runners aboard to set up a six run eight inning for the Aces to claim victory at The Ballpark at America First Square Reno Aces 6,
Davis Makes Grand Entrance in First Ever Game at America First Square
SOUTH JORDAN, Utah - The Salt Lake Bees opened its brand new ballpark in style Tuesday night, erupting early and holding off a late Reno rally to secure a 13-10. Salt Lake 13, Reno 10 WP: Kenyon Yovan (1 - 0) LP: Billy Corcoran (0 - 2) Game Summary The
Levy Teams Up with the Salt Lake Bees to Create Buzzworthy New Ballpark Experience
The Ballpark at America First Square features a Levy “double play” as Professional Sports Catering (PSC) oversees food and beverage while Rank + Rally curates retail offerings SOUTH JORDAN, UTAH (April 8, 2025) – The Salt Lake Bees, one of Minor League Baseball’s most historic franchises, officially move into their
Neto, Kieboom Power Bees Past Isotopes in Series Finale
ALBUQUERQUE, NM — The Salt Lake Bees held off a furious rally by the Albuquerque Isotopes to secure a wild 9–8 win on Sunday afternoon, improving to 4-5 on the season. Salt Lake 9, Albuquerque 8 WP: Touki Toussaint (1 - 0) LP: Jaden Hill (0 - 1) Game Summary
Campero Extends Hit Streak, Isotopes use Long Ball in Win Over Bees
Albuquerque, NM - The Salt Lake Bees suffered a 14-3 loss in Saturday’s contest as J.D. Davis came away with a three-hit night despite the isotopes taking control of the series. Albuquerque 14, Salt Lake 3 WP: Karl Kauffmann (1 - 0) LP: Mason Erla (0 - 1) Albuquerque’s Zac
Bees Stung Late in 5–4 Walk-Off Loss to Isotopes
Albuquerque, NM – In a game Salt Lake controlled for much of the night, a ninth-inning rally by the Albuquerque Isotopes turned the tables, sending the Bees home with a gut-wrenching 5-4 loss on Friday evening. Albuquerque 5, Salt Lake 4 WP: Evan Justice (1 - 0) LP: Jack Dashwood
Salt Lake Bees Play First Game at New Hive
Salt Lake Bees Play First Game at New Hive – The Ballpark at America First Square in South Jordan, Utah, on April 8, 2025 Salt Lake Bees Play Reno Aces on April 8 at 6:35 PM and Continue Homestand through April 13 Gates Open on April 8 at 5:35 PM,
Silseth Shines, Rivero and Neto Homer as Bees Hold Off Isotopes
ALBUQUERQUE, NM – The Salt Lake Bees bounced back in game three of the series with a 5-3 victory over the Albuquerque Isotopes on Thursday afternoon behind a stellar pitching performance from the Chase Silseth and the Bees bullpen. Salt Lake 5, Albuquerque 3 WP: Chase Silseth (1 - 0)
Isotopes’ Explosive Fifth Inning Buries Bees in 17-2 Defeat
Albuquerque, NM – The Salt Lake Bees endured a tough night at the plate and on the mound as they fell 17-2 to the Albuquerque Isotopes on Wednesday night. The game quickly slipped away from Salt Lake, with Albuquerque capitalizing on multiple errors and a big fifth inning to put
Kingery and Kerry lead in Bees Blowout Win over Isotopes
ALBUQUERQUE, NM - The Salt Lake Bees put on an offensive clinic Tuesday night, routing the Albuquerque Isotopes 15-1 at Isotopes Park. The Bees' bats came alive early and never let up, while their pitching staff stifled Albuquerque’s hitters from start to finish. Salt Lake Bees 15, Albuquerque Isotopes 1
Chihuahuas Rout Bees in Series Finale
EL PASO, Texas – The Salt Lake Bees endured a tough afternoon against the El Paso Chihuahuas, falling 13-2 in a game where early missed opportunities and a fifth-inning collapse proved costly. El Paso Chihuahuas 13, Salt Lake Bees 2 WP: Stephen Kolek (1-0) LP: Caden Dana (0-1) Game summary
Salt Lake’s Early Homers, Late Heroics Secure First Win of the Year
El Paso, Texas – The Salt Lake Bees jumped out to an early lead and held on late to secure a 7-6 victory over the El Paso Chihuahuas in a nail-biting contest on Saturday night.
Big Sixth Inning Boosts El Paso over Bees on Opening Day
EL PASO, Texas - The Salt Lake Bees fell to the El Paso Chihuahuas 10-3 in a game that saw early promise but ultimately slipped away due to a big sixth inning from the home team. Salt Lake struck first in the second inning as Scott Kingery launched a solo
Salt Lake Bees Announce 2025 Opening Day Roster
SALT LAKE CITY – The Salt Lake Bees, in collaboration with the Los Angeles Angels, have announced their preliminary roster for the 2025 season opener on Friday in El Paso, Texas. Returning Players The 2025 Opening Day roster features seven returning players, led by Bryce Teodosio, who played 114 games
Keith Johnson Enters Tenth Season as Bees Manager
SALT LAKE CITY (Feb. 14, 2025)– The Los Angeles Angels announced today their 2025 Player Development Staff. The Salt Lake Bees coaching staff is headlined by the return of Keith Johnson to the dugout for his tenth season as Bees manager. Returning to the dugout are Coach Jack Santora, Athletic
Salt Lake Bees Introduce New Logos, Uniforms for 2025 Season
SALT LAKE CITY (Nov. 25, 2024) – The Salt Lake Bees released new logos, marks, jerseys and caps today in advance of the 2025 season. “We wanted an evolution of the Bees brand, not a revolution,” said Ashley Havili, vice president of marketing and merchandise for Miller Sports + Entertainment.
The Grass Is Greener At The Ballpark
The grass is always greener at the Ballpark.
Bees Drop Season Finale, Conclude Historic Run at Smith's Ballpark
The Salt Lake Bees fell short in Sunday’s season finale at Smith’s Ballpark, losing by a final score of 3-1 to the Oklahoma City Baseball Club to close the book on the 2024 season. Hayden Seig made his second career start and his first with the Bees and fired a
Salt Lake Taken Down by Oklahoma City in Penultimate Game of 2024 Season
The Salt Lake Bees were taken down in the penultimate game of the 2024 season on Saturday evening, falling to the Oklahoma City Baseball Club for the third time this week by a final score of 13-2. Fresh off a tough defeat at the hands of the Bees on Friday,
Big First Inning Lifts Salt Lake to Victory Over Oklahoma City
The Salt Lake Bees took home their second win of the week against the Oklahoma City Baseball Club on Friday evening, emerging victorious by a final score of 6-4 to even up the final series of the year at two apiece. After it was Oklahoma City that jumped out to
Bees Drop Second Straight to Oklahoma City on Thursday
The Salt Lake Bees lost to the Oklahoma City Baseball Club for the second straight night on Thursday evening, dropping the third game of the series by a final score of 9-3. After being done in by a pair of crooked numbers in Wednesday’s blowout loss, the Bees once again
Salt Lake Suffers Biggest Loss of Season on Wednesday Against OKC
The Salt Lake Bees took home their biggest loss of the 2024 season on Wednesday night, dropping the second game of their series against the Oklahoma City Baseball Club by a final score of 20-6. One night after the Bees hung a nine-run inning on the board in their win