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.
Somerset Pitching Holds of Yard Goats
Somerset Pitching Holds of Yard Goats Patriots 2, Yard Goats 0 WP: Cam Schlitter (2-1) LP: Gabriel Hughes (0-1) S: Ryan Anderson (1) Bridgewater, NJ- Somerset starter Cam Schlitter fired seven scoreless innings helping the Patriots to a 2-0 win over the Hartford Yard Goats on Thursday night at TD
Yard Goats Win Afternoon Game in Somerset
Yard Goats Win Afternoon Game in Somerset Yard Goats 4, Patriots 2 WP: Carson Skipper (1-0) LP: Clayton Beeter (0-1) S: Matt Turner (3) Bridgewater, NJ- The Yard Goats broke a 1-1 tie with three runs in the 7th inning off NY Yankees reliever Clayton Beeter and defeated the Somerset
Two-Time Batting Champion LeMahieu Helps Somerset Beat Yard Goats
Two-Time Batting Champion LeMahieu Helps Somerset Beat Yard Goats Patriots 7, Yard Goats 3 WP: Brendan Beck (2-0) LP: Blake Adams (1-1) Bridgewater, NJ- Two-time batting champion DJ LeMahieu, on a Major League rehab assignment with the NY Yankees, had three hits including an RBI double and solo home run
Family Fun Day with Vintage Base Ball Coming to Dunkin’ Park
Yard Goats Announce Family Fun Day with Vintage Base Ball Coming to Dunkin’ Park Old Time Baseball, Inflatables, Crafts, Games, Kids Run the Bases Highlight Event (Hartford, CT ) The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, revealed details today for the team’s
Carrigg Homer Leads Goats to Third Consecutive Series Win
WP: Mason Green (2-0) LP: Lucas Giolito (0-1) S: Collin Baumgartner (1) Time: 2:16 Hartford, CT - Cole Carrigg cranked a solo home run in the third inning off Red Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito to help the Yard Goats win their fourth straight game against the Portland Sea Dogs 3-1
Kokoska Homer Leads Goats to First Place
Kokoska Homer Leads Goats to First Place WP: Mason Albright (1-2) LP: David Sandlin (1-1) S: Matt Turner (2) Time: 2:16 Hartford, CT - Zach Kokoska crushed a go-ahead two-run home run as the Hartford Yard Goats defeated the Portland Sea Dogs 4-2 and moved to first place in the
Torres Slams Goats to Win
Torres Slams Goats to Win WP: Victor Juarez (2-0) LP: Wyatt Olds (2-1) Time: 2:35 Hartford, CT - Jose Torres smashed a grand slam as part of a nine run seventh inning to help the Hartford Yard Goats defeat the Portland Sea Dogs 11-4 on Friday night at Dunkin’ Park.
Yard Goats Score Six Straight to Defeat Sea Dogs
Yard Goats Score Six Straight to Defeat Sea Dogs WP: Connor Staine (1-0 LP: Blake Wehunt (0-1) S: Sam Weatherly (1) Time: 2:14 Hartford, CT - The Hartford Yard Goats scored six straight runs to defeat the Portland Sea Dogs 6-3 on Thursday night at Dunkin’ Park. A pair of
Betancourt Homers in Yard Goats 10 inning Loss
Betancourt Hits First Home Run in Extra Innings Loss WP: Yordanny Monegro (1-0) LP: Collin Baumgartner (0-1) Time: 2:51 Hartford, CT - Bryant Betancourt smashed his first Double-A home run but the Hartford Yard Goats fell to the Portland Sea Dogs 7-5 in 10 innings on Wednesday night at Dunkin’
Yard Goats Comeback Effort Falls Short
WP: Connelly Early (1-0) LP: Jack Mahoney (0-1) S: Caleb Bolden (1) Time: 3:01 Hartford, CT - The Hartford Yard Goats fell to the Portland Sea Dogs 7-5 on Tuesday night at Dunkin’ Park. Portland scored five runs in the first before Hartford scored three runs to cut their deficit
Yard Goats Announce Liberty Bank as a Founding Partner at Dunkin’ Park Beginning This Season
Yard Goats Announce Liberty Bank as a Founding Partner at Dunkin’ Park Beginning This Season Liberty Bank is now the official Bank of the Hartford Yard Goats (Hartford, CT ) The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, and Liberty Bank announced a
Yard Goats Fall 2-1 as Road Trip Concludes
Yard Goats Fall 2-1 as Road Trip Concludes Rumble Ponies 2, Yard Goats 1 WP: Nolan McLean (1-0) LP: Mason Albright (0-2) S: Joander Suarez (1) Binghamton, NY- The Hartford Yard Goats fell to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at Mirabito Stadium in New York. Infielder Wyatt
Yard Goats Rally with 8 Runs in Final At-Bat to Win
Yard Goats Rally with 8 Runs in Final At-Bat to Win Game One: Rumble Ponies 10, Yard Goats 1 WP: Jack Wenniger (2-0) LP: Connor Staine (0-1) S: None Game Two: Yard Goats 8, Rumble Ponies 4 WP: Victor Juarez (1-0) LP: Daniel Juarez (0-1) S: None Binghamton, NY- The
Yard Goats Sweep Doubleheader in New York
Yard Goats Sweep Doubleheader in New York Game One: Yard Goats 4, Rumble Ponies 0 WP: Blake Adams (1-0) LP: Jonathan Pintaro (0-1) S: None Game Two: Yard Goats 5, Rumble Ponies 3 WP: Evan Shawver (1-0) LP: Joshua Cornielly S: Matt Turner (1) Binghamton, NY- The Hartford Yard Goats
Hartford Yard Goats & Eversource Kick Off 2025 Student Reading Challenge
Hartford Yard Goats & Eversource Kick Off 2025 Student Reading Challenge Students who read five books will earn two tickets to a Yard Goats game at Dunkin’ Park (Hartford, CT) The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, in partnership with Eversource, an
Yard Goats to Host First-Ever Card & Memorabilia Show at Dunkin’ Park
Yard Goats to Host First-Ever Card & Memorabilia Show at Dunkin’ Park Saturday, August 23rd from 9AM-2PM (Hartford, CT) The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, announced that it will host the first-ever HUGE card & memorabilia show at Dunkin’ Park, in partnership with
Yard Goats Set Franchise-Record with 16 Runs in Dominant Victory over Somerset
Yard Goats Set Franchise-Record with 16 Runs in Dominant Victory over Somerset WP: Brayan Castillo (1-0) LP: Colby White (0-1) Time: 3:01 Hartford, CT - The Hartford Yard Goats set a franchise-record as they dominated the Somerset Patriots 16-5 on Sunday afternoon at Dunkin’ Park. The record was set in
Yard Goats Fall 6-2 to Patriots
Yard Goats Fall 6-2 to Patriots WP: Barclay (1-0) LP: Albright (0-1) Time: 3:14 Hartford, CT - The Yard Goats fell to the Somerset Patriots 6-2 at Dunkin’ Park on Saturday afternoon. Somerset scored two runs on pairs of RBI-singles in the fifth and sixth innings to take a 4-0
Karros Opens Season with Walk-off Homer for Yard Goats
Karros Walkoff Home Run Leads Yard Goats to Victory WP: Green (1-0) LP: Diaz (0-1) Time: 2:58 Kyle Karros homered twice, including a solo walk-off shot that lifted the Yard Goats to a 5-4 victory over the Somerset Patriots in front of a sellout crowd (6,563) on Opening Day of
Yard Goats Partner with WTIC/Audacy for Radio Broadcasts & Promotions
Yard Goats Partner with WTIC/Audacy for Radio Broadcasts & Promotions WTIC NEWSTALK 1080 to Carry Selected Games (Hartford, CT) The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, announced that it has partnered with media giant Audacy for the second consecutive season. Selected radio broadcasts will
Hartford Yard Goats Announce 2025 Opening Day Roster
Hartford Yard Goats Announce 2025 Opening Day Roster Colorado Rockies Assign Several Prospects to Hartford (Hartford, CT ) The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A Eastern League affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, announced its 2025 Opening Day Roster. The Yard Goats roster is set with a league maximum 28
NESN/NESN+ to Televise 39 Yard Goats Games Live From Dunkin’ Park
NESN/NESN+ to Televise 39 Yard Goats Games Live From Dunkin’ Park Largest Television Broadcast Schedule in Team History (Hartford, CT) The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, announced that NESN (New England Sports Network) will televise 39 games live from Dunkin’ Park this season.
Yard Goats Announce Fan Friendly Parking and Commuter Plan
Yard Goats Announce Fan Friendly Parking and Commuter Plan Partnership with LAZ Parking, Hartford Parking Authority and Propark provide $5 parking at Yard Goats Games (Hartford, CT) The Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Club, the Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, announced fan friendly parking and commuter plan, which once again
Yard Goats Broadcaster Jeff Dooley is in Scottsdale for a First Look at the 2025 Yard Goats - VOLUME 4
Dooley’s Diary (Volume 4) Spring Training 2025 Scottsdale, AZ- Greetings from Salt River Fields, the official Spring Training home of the Colorado Rockies and Hartford Yard Goats. The Yard Goats have a road game on Sunday afternoon against the Chicago Cubs affiliate and the Rockies visit the Brewers. The Rockies