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.
Francisca, Merejo Lead Names of Returners on Opening Day Roster
The Lynchburg Hillcats are excited to announce their Opening Day roster for the 2025 season. The new edition of the Hillcats features three players in the Top 30 of the Guardians organization, according to MLB Pipeline, including two in the Top 10. The roster also features several returners from last
Experience Unforgettable Entertainmentwith the Lynchburg Hillcats
Lynchburg is more than just a great place to catch a baseball game; it keeps you close to other cultural highlights like top-tier Broadway shows and stand-up comedy performances. Whether you’re a theater enthusiast or a fan of gut-busting comedy, the city offers something for everyone. Don’t forget to use
Exciting Changes Happening at Bank of the James Stadium
The Lynchburg Hillcats are thrilled to announce several new changes coming to the ballpark for the 2025 season. With single game tickets on-sale today, fans can explore all the new additions to the organization, from our ownership down to our gameday operations. New to the club this year is Dylan
Manager Jordan Smith Headlines Several Returners to Field Staff
The Lynchburg Hillcats are excited to announce their field staff for the 2025 season. Jordan Smith will once again return as manager for this season. Also returning to the coaching staff are bench coach Erlin Cerda, hitting coach Cole Nieto, strength & conditioning coordinator Jack Baldwin, and athletic trainer Yuka
Key Events: Brought to you by the Hillcats
Key Events: Brought to you by the Hillcats Welcome to the Lynchburg Hillcats Entertainment Guide! This comprehensive guide gives you a rundown of the most exciting and prestigious sporting events around the world. Whether you're a fan of heart-pounding motorsports, thrilling team championships, or world-class individual sports, we've got you
Hillcats Avoid Sweep, Win Final Home Game of Season
The Hillcats avoided the sweep against the Carolina Mudcats by winning their final home game of the season, 6-2. After a rough series, the Hillcats were able to display much needed patience at the plate. In addition, solid pitching outings from Jackson Humphries and Jervis Alfaro, both going four innings
Hillcats Saturday Night Game Against Carolina Canceled
Saturday night’s game between the Lynchburg Hillcats and Carolina Mudcats has been canceled due to inclement weather. The game will not be made up and only one game will be played on Sunday afternoon, scheduled to start at 2 p.m. at Bank of the James Stadium. Fans with tickets to
Carolina Wins Series As Hillcats Slide Continues
Another frustrating night for the Lynchburg Hillcats would go in favor of the Carolina Mudcats as they fell by a score of 9-5 on Friday evening. The Hillcats did not pick up their first hit until the fifth inning but were trailing 4-1 at that point. With the win, the
Lackluster Performance Downs Lynchburg Against Carolina
The Lynchburg Hillcats pieced together a lackluster performance against the Carolina Mudcats, dropping the game 7-1 on Thursday night. Lynchburg would struggle at the dish, finishing with three hits and three walks. Through three games in this series, the Hillcats have only registered five walks, while coming into the series
'Cats Bats Go Quiet, Mudcats Down Lynchburg
The Carolina Mudcats buried the Lynchburg Hillcats 7-3 on Wednesday evening, further dampening their playoff chances. After a torrid start, both teams quieted down before the Mudcats found their groove late in the evening. Lynchburg would be strapped with six straight one-two-three innings during the night. The Mudcats erupted early
Heartbreaking Call Ends Hillcats Late Rally
A slow start hurt the Lynchburg Hillcats as they would drop the series opener to the Carolina Mudcats by a score of 3-2 on Tuesday evening. Lynchburg had to wait until the bullpen would enter the game before scratching a run across. However, a close and controversial call finalized the
Hillcats Announce 2025 Schedule and Ticketing Plans
The Lynchburg Hillcats are excited to announce their 2025 Regular Season Carolina League Schedule and Season Ticketing options. The 2025 season will feature a similar format to years past as the league will operate with six-game series throughout the season. Lynchburg will host 11 separate homestands featuring nine of the
Lynchburg Holds Off Late Wood Duck Rally to Win Five of Six
Lynchburg held off Down East late to win five-out-of-six over the Down East Wood Ducks by winning 4-3. Kyle Scott would pitch a second gem of the series, finishing with five strikeouts over six innings, only allowing one run. Another crucial error by Down East would open the door for
Hillcats Benefited by Early Error, Win Series Over Down East
A disastrous first inning for the Down East Wood Ducks carried the Lynchburg Hillcats to victory in Saturday evening’s game, winning 6-4. With the win, Lynchburg secured themselves a win of the series before the finale on Sunday afternoon. A three extra-base hit by Ryan Cesarini carried Lynchburg as he
Down East Holds Off Lynchburg In Marathon
The Down East Wood Ducks held off the Lynchburg Hillcats on Friday night by a score of 5-3. The game began after an hour-long rain delay, cooling off both pitchers. When action began, Down East took advantage of the delay and attacked Jogly Garcia. For the third straight night, the
Hillcats Miraculous Comeback Completed by Francisca Walk-Off
The Lynchburg Hillcats completed a miraculous comeback against the Down East Wood Ducks on Thursday evening, winning 10-9 in extra innings. Lynchburg trailed by as many as seven before they marched their way back into the ballgame. A five-run eighth inning tied up the game, allowing for the walk-off victory
Merejo's Three Hits Carry Lynchburg Over Down East
Lynchburg squeaked by Down East after a late inning push, winning 6-3 on Wednesday night. The Hillcats and Wood Ducks would trade blows throughout the early part of the ballgame, with neither team able to pull ahead. However, a 3-5 night from Luis Merejo would power Lynchburg to victory. The
Lynchburg Shuts Out Down East in Series Opener
The Lynchburg Hillcats shut out the Down East Wood Ducks 4-0 on Tuesday evening, continuing where they left off down in Fayetteville. It was a dominant pitching performance from Kyle Scott and the rest of the Hillcats as they limited the Wood Ducks to four hits. Scott would pick up
Lynchburg Drops Heartbreaker to Fredericksburg on Sunday
The Lynchburg Hillcats dropped a heartbreaker to the Fredericksburg Nationals 6-5 on Sunday afternoon. The Hillcats had the lead up until the seventh inning when the wheels fell off on Jack Jasiak as he surrendered five runs in the frame to surrender the lead. Lynchburg struck first in the second
Hillcats Swipe Rain-Shortened Game From Nationals
The Lynchburg Hillcats stole a partial game victory from the Fredericksburg Nationals after the game was called in the fifth inning with Lynchburg leading 3-0. It was a race against the clock the entire night after an hour-long rain delay slowed the beginning of the game. Almost an hour-and-a-half later
Hillcats Wait Too Long, Rally Falls Short Again Against Fredericksburg
For the second straight night, the Lynchburg Hillcats late rally fell short to the Fredericksburg Nationals as they dropped game four, 5-4. Travis Sykora pitched a gem for the Freddies, throwing five innings of no-hit baseball. By the time Lynchburg made their run in the eighth, they had a long,
Hillcats Rally Falls Short as Nationals Hold Off for Win
The Lynchburg Hillcats dropped their first game of the series to the Fredericksburg Nationals by a score of 9-7 on Thursday night. It was a rough debut for Jogly Garcia, who surrendered six earned runs in just over three innings of work. The Nationals struck him early as Cristhian Vaquero
Bats Awaken as Hillcats Knock Off Fredericksburg
The Lynchburg Hillcats found their stride in a 7-3 victory over the Fredericksburg Nationals on Wednesday evening. In one of the most complete games for Lynchburg in the second half, the Hillcats picked up 11 hits without committing any errors, all while limiting the damage from the Nationals. However, the
Lynchburg Stuns Nationals Behind Depleted Pitching Staff
Behind a depleted pitching staff, the Lynchburg Hillcats walked-off the Fredericksburg Nationals by a score of 5-4 on Tuesday evening. The drama began before the game even began with two former Hillcats players being traded to the Nationals yesterday. Then, to add to the tension, the Hillcats scheduled starting pitcher,
Hillcat Duo Impresses on National Stage at MLB Futures Game
Jaison Chourio and Ralphy Velazquez impressed in their MLB All-Star Futures Game debuts on Saturday afternoon at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas with the National League winning 6-1. Playing for the American League, the Lynchburg Hillcat duo showed out in front of a national audience on MLB Network. Chourio,