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.
Mudcats Single-Game Tickets On Sale Now
ZEBULON, N.C. – The Carolina Mudcats, the Class-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, today announced that single-game tickets for the 2025 season are on sale now at www.carolinamudcats.com, by calling (919) 269-2287 and by visiting the Five County Stadium front office in Zebulon. Single-game ticket availability opens up all of
Job Fair Event Set for Thursday, Feb. 27
ZEBULON, N.C. - The Carolina Mudcats are hiring! The Mudcats will host their annual job fair event on Thursday, February 27 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, N.C. Through the job fair, the Mudcats will look to fill open part-time game-day and seasonal full-time
Nick Stanley Returning as Manager of the Mudcats
ZEBULON, N.C. – The Carolina Mudcats, in conjunction with the Milwaukee Brewers, are thrilled to announce that Nick Stanley is returning as manager of the Mudcats for the 2025 season. The announcement came today as the Brewers announced their player development staff assignments for the 2025 season, including Minor League
Wilson Minor League Baseball To Unveil Team Name And Branding At Public Celebration On Friday, November 22
MILWAUKEE – Wilson’s new Class A affiliated Minor League Baseball Team, which will debut in a beautiful new stadium downtown in 2026, is inviting the public to celebrate the unveiling of the team’s name and branding next Friday, November 22. The event will be hosted by the Milwaukee Brewers (the
Cooper Pratt Named Rawlings Gold Glove Award Recipient
ZEBULON, N.C. – Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) and Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc., today announced that 2024 Carolina Mudcats shortstop Cooper Pratt has been named the Rawlings Gold Glove Award® winner for defensive excellence for the shortstop position. Pratt, 20, handled 338 total chances, helped turn 51 double plays and
Pratt, Stanley Honored with Postseason Awards
ZEBULON, N.C. – Coming off a season in which the Carolina Mudcats finished with a 78-51 record, the best mark in the Carolina League, it was announced on Thursday that infielder Cooper Pratt and manager Nick Stanley were honored by Minor League Baseball as postseason All-Star selections. Pratt, a sixth-round
Bitonti Named Brewers Minor League Player of the Month
ZEBULON, N.C - The Milwaukee Brewers announced Monday that Carolina Mudcats infielder Eric Bitonti has been named the organizations Minor League Player of the Month for August. Bitonti is coming off a month in which he posted a slash line of .207/.286/.494 with seven home runs and four doubles while
Mudcats Announce 2025 Season Schedule
ZEBULON, N.C. – The Carolina Mudcats, in conjunction with Major League Baseball, today announced their 2025 regular-season schedule beginning on Friday, April 4 with the season opener at Five County Stadium against the Fredericksburg Nationals. Download a PDF version of the schedule here. Key home dates include Independence Day Week
Castillo Named Carolina League Player Of The Month
ZEBULON, N.C - Just a week after being named the Carolina League Player of the Week, Carolina Mudcats outfielder, Luis Castillo, was named the Carolina League Player of the Month for July as announced on Tuesday morning. Castillo is coming off a month in which he posted a slash line
Castillo Named Carolina League Player Of The Week
ZEBULON, N.C. – The Carolina League announced Monday that Carolina Mudcats outfielder Luis Castillo has been named the Carolina League Player of the Week. Castillo is coming off a series at Salem in which he hit .556 with four home runs and collected 16 RBI while posting a 1.933 OPS.
Mudcats Pratt Named to MLB Futures Game
ZEBULON, N.C. – Carolina Mudcats infielder Cooper Pratt was named to the National League squad for the 2024 MLB Futures Game. The game will be played on Saturday, July 13 as part of MLB’s All-Star event held this year at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. “I’m just super excited
Mudcats Soar Past Columbia
ZEBULON, N.C. - The Carolina Mudcats scored a season-high 16 runs and recorded a season-best 21 hits as they won their third straight game over the Columbia Fireflies by a 16-2 score on Thursday night at Five County Stadium. Columbia (12-11) tied the game at one in the top of
Walk-Off Hit Lifts Mudcats Past Fireflies
ZEBULON, N.C. - Juan Baez singled past a drawn in infield allowing Cooper Pratt to score to lift the Carolina Mudcats to a 2-1 victory in 12 innings over the Columbia Fireflies at Five County Stadium on Wednesday night. Columbia (12-10) had a chance to win the game in the
Mudcats Claim Opener from Fireflies
ZEBULON, NC - The Carolina Mudcats collected 11 hits as they captured the series lidlifter from the Columbia Fireflies 8-3 on Tuesday night at Five County Stadium in Zebulon. Carolina (16-6) jumped out early as Daniel Guilarte tripled to open the bottom of the first and scored one batter later
Guilarte, Garcia Homer As Mudcats Snap Losing Streak in Series Finale
Carolina Mudcats 4 - Salem Red Sox 3 Box Score ZEBULON, NC – The Carolina Mudcats (15-6) got two big swings from Daniel Guilarte and Yhoswar Garcia and a terrific relief appearance from Josh Timmerman Sunday afternoon at Five County Stadium that helped secure a 4-3 win over the Salem
Mudcats Drop Third Straight to Red Sox
Salem Red Sox 4 - Carolina Mudcats 2 Box Score ZEBULON, NC – The Carolina Mudcats (14-6) could not hang onto a one-run lead late Saturday night at Five County Stadium as the Salem Red Sox (9-11) rallied to win 4-2 and claim their third straight victory. The loss guarantees
Garcia Records Three Hits in Mudcats Defeat to Salem
Salem Red Sox 3 - Carolina Mudcats 1 Box Score ZEBULON, NC – Another strong pitching performance from the Salem Red Sox (8-11) was too much to overcome for the Carolina Mudcats (14-5), who fell to the Red Sox 3-1 Friday night at Five County Stadium. The Mudcats have dropped
Mudcats Fall at Home To Salem
Salem Red Sox 3 - Carolina Mudcats 1 Box Score ZEBULON, NC – A comeback wasn't in the cards Thursday night at Five County Stadium as the Carolina Mudcats (14-4) fell to the Salem Red Sox (7-11) by a final score of 3-1. The loss was just the second home
Mudcats Come Back Again Late to Stun Red Sox
Carolina Mudcats 4 - Salem Red Sox 3 Box Score ZEBULON, NC – The Carolina Mudcats (14-3) once again trailed by a pair of runs in the late stages Wednesday afternoon at Five County Stadium but once again prevailed in a 4-3 comeback win over the Salem Red Sox (6-11).
Seventh-Inning Rally Gives Mudcats Thrilling Win in Series Opener
Carolina Mudcats 4 - Salem Red Sox 2 Box Score ZEBULON, NC – The Carolina Mudcats (13-3) found themselves needing another comeback on Tuesday night at Five County Stadium and once again, their offense delivered late. Trailing 2-0, the Mudcats scored four times in the bottom of the seventh to
Carolina Drops Rain-Shortened Series Finale in Augusta
Augusta GreenJackets 3 – Carolina Mudcats 1 (F/6) Box Score NORTH AUGUSTA, SC – The Carolina Mudcats (12-3) would not have enough time to try and pull out another comeback Sunday afternoon at SRP Park as the Augusta GreenJackets (7-8) took home a 3-1 win after the game was called
Mudcats Complete Another Comeback, Win Fourth Straight
Carolina Mudcats 9 – Augusta GreenJackets 7 Box Score NORTH AUGUSTA, SC – Once again, the Carolina Mudcats (12-2) weathered the storm early and exploded offensively late Saturday night at SRP Park as the Mudcats took down the Augusta GreenJackets (6-8) by a 9-7 final score. Carolina has won four
Rodriguez Go-Ahead Grand Slam in Ninth Powers Mudcats to Thrilling Win
Carolina Mudcats 5 – Augusta GreenJackets 3 Box Score NORTH AUGUSTA, SC – In a game where the Carolina Mudcats (11-2) struggled for offense all night long Friday night at SRP Park, all it took was one swing from Yophery Rodriguez to change things. The 18-year-old drove a breaking ball
Mudcats Squash Augusta Rally to Take Series Lead
NORTH AUGUSTA, SC – The Carolina Mudcats (10-2) lost an early three-run lead Thursday night at SRP Park, but a late surge in the eighth coupled with clutch pitching was enough to push them past the Augusta GreenJackets (6-6) for a 4-3 victory. With the win, Carolina has now stretched
Nicasia Homers Again as Mudcats Even Series
Carolina Mudcats 7 – Augusta GreenJackets 3 Box Score NORTH AUGUSTA, SC – Another big swing from Carolina Mudcats (9-2) outfielder Kay-Lan Nicasia proved to be the catalyst Wednesday night at SRP Park as the Mudcats came from behind to take down the Augusta GreenJackets (6-5), 7-3. Carolina evens the