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.
Sugar Land Completes Comeback, Takes Extra-Innings Victory Over Tacoma
The Sugar Land Space Cowboys (11-13) battled back from a three-run deficit to defeat the Tacoma Rainiers (10-14) 7-6 in 10 innings on Thursday night at Cheney Stadium. In the tenth inning, Jésus Bastidas moved the bonus runner over to third on a groundout to begin the frame before Shay
Sugar Land Belts Three Home Runs But Falls On Wednesday Night
The Sugar Land Space Cowboys (10-13) smashed three home runs, tying a season high, but a six-run fourth from the Tacoma Rainiers (10-13) led to the Space Cowboys falling 10-3 on Wednesday evening at Cheney Stadium. Zack Short wasted no time getting Sugar Land on the board, scorching the first
Brandon Walter's Gem Leads Sugar Land to Series-Opening Win
Behind five-scoreless innings from RHP Brandon Walter (W, 1-0) and a four-run sixth, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (10-12) took the series opener over the Tacoma Rainiers (9-13) 4-1 on Tuesday afternoon at Cheney Stadium. Walter silenced the Rainiers in the opening innings, setting down six of the first seven
Four-Run 11th Propels Sugar Land To Series Finale Win Over Las Vegas
Luis Guillorme and Zack Short combined for five RBIs in extra innings as the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (9-12) held on for an 8-4 11th-inning win over the Las Vegas Aviators (14-7) on Sunday afternoon at Las Vegas Ballpark. For the third game in a row, the Space Cowboys took
Sugar Land Knocks Six Extra-Base Hits In Saturday Evening Defeat
The Sugar Land Space Cowboys (8-12) took an early lead for the second game in a row, but a five-run third for the Las Vegas Aviators (14-6) sent Sugar Land to a 9-3 loss on Saturday night at Las Vegas Ballpark. Zack Short laced a double down the line in
Bullpen Fires 4.2 Scoreless Innings But Sugar Land Drops Friday Night Contest
The Sugar Land Space Cowboys (8-11) took an early 3-1 lead, but the Las Vegas Aviators (13-6) stifled Sugar Land’s offense the rest of the way in a 5-3 defeat on Friday night at Las Vegas Ballpark. Although RHP Tyler Ivey (L, 0-2) spun two strikeouts in the first, an
Four-Run Seventh Propels Sugar Land To One-Run Win
Behind five innings and seven strikeouts from RHP AJ Blubaugh and a four-run seventh inning, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (8-10) outlasted the Las Vegas Aviators (12-6) 7-6 on Thursday at Las Vegas Ballpark. César Salazar, batting lead-off for the first time this season, jumped on the third pitch of
Whitcomb Homers In Second-Straight Game, But Sugar Land Falls To Las Vegas
The Sugar Land Space Cowboys (7-10) smacked two home runs and picked up eight hits but dropped game two of their six-game series against the Las Vegas Aviators (12-5) 12-4 on Wednesday at Las Vegas Ballpark. Brice Matthews belted his first home run of the season in the second inning,
Whitcomb Records Three-Hit Game But Aviators Walk Off Space Cowboys
Shay Whitcomb and César Salazar each blasted two-run home runs, but the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (7-9) were walked off by the Las Vegas Aviators (11-5) 6-5 on Tuesday afternoon at Las Vegas Ballpark. Sugar Land opened the scoring in the first inning as Whitcomb whipped a single to left
Price's Grand Slam Supports Space Cowboys One Hitter In Sunday Finale
A six-run third and a one-hit combined shutout fueled the Sugar Land Space Cowboys’ (7-8) 7-0 series-clinching win over the Albuquerque Isotopes (6-9) on Sunday at Constellation Field. RHP Miguel Ullola sat down six of the first seven batters he faced, including two strikeouts to retire the side in the
Lance McCullers Jr.'s Four-Scoreless Frames Lift Sugar Land To Victory
Powered by eight combined shutout innings from RHP Lance McCullers Jr. and RHP AJ Blubaugh and two, two-run home runs, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (6-8) defeated the Albuquerque Isotopes (6-8) 6-2 on Saturday night at Constellation Field. McCullers Jr. marveled on the mound in his second appearance with Sugar
Sugar Land Records Season High In Hits But Drops Back-and-Forth Contest
SUGAR LAND RECORDS SEASON HIGH IN HITS BUT DROPS BACK-AND-FORTH CONTEST SUGAR LAND, TX – The Sugar Land Space Cowboys (5-8) mashed five extra-base hits on Friday, including two home runs, but dropped their second straight to the Albuquerque Isotopes (6-7) 8-4 at Constellation Field. Sugar Land fell behind 2-0
Early Deficit Too Much To Overcome For Sugar Land on Thursday
The Sugar Land Space Cowboys (5-7) fell behind 6-0 after three innings and could not mount a comeback, falling to the the Albuquerque Isotopes (5-7) 7-2 on Thursday night. RHP Aaron Brown (L, 0-3) toed the rubber and dazzled in his first inning of work, striking out the side on
Hamilton's Late Homer Lifts Space Cowboys To 3-2 Victory
A seventh-inning home run helped the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (5-6) take down the Albuquerque Isotopes (4-7) 3-2 on Wednesday night at Constellation Field. Sugar Land opened the scoring in the first when the first four batters reached, including walks to Luis Guillorme, Jacob Melton and Shay Whitcomb and a
Franchise Record 17 Walks Carries Space Cowboys To Win Over Isotopes
On a night in which they drew a franchise record 17 walks, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (4-6) rallied in the eighth to take down the Albuquerque Isotopes (4-6) 6-5 on Tuesday night at Constellation Field. RHP Miguel Ullola got the start for Sugar Land and fired a 1-2-3 inning
Space Cowboys Shut Out In Finale Against Durham
The Sugar Land Space Cowboys (3-6) were held off the board in a 6-0 defeat against the Durham Bulls (6-3) on Sunday afternoon at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Jesús Bastidas led off the game with a double but was stranded at second. Sugar Land got two runners on in the
Stellar Pitching Spoiled As Space Cowboys Walked Off in 11 Innings
Six pitchers from the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (3-5) combined to hold the Durham Bulls (5-3) to just one hit through the first 10 innings, but a walk-off single in the 11th handed the Space Cowboys a 2-1 defeat on Saturday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Sugar Land got
Long Ball Sinks Sugar Land On Friday Night
The Sugar Land Space Cowboys (3-4) saw the Durham Bulls (4-3) hit six home runs on Friday night as the Space Cowboys fell 15-1 at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Sugar Land was held without a baserunner through the first four frames. Brice Matthews singled with one out in the fifth
Whitcomb Goes Deep Twice As Space Cowboys Bats Come Alive in 7-1 Win
Strong pitching and six extra-base hits helped propel the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (3-3) to a 7-1 victory over the Durham Bulls (3-3) on Thursday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. On the mound, LHP Colton Gordon (W, 1-0) got the start for Sugar Land. The lefty worked around an
Ivey Stars In Return To Mound, But Space Cowboys Fall On Wednesday Night
A fifth-inning grand slam was enough for the Durham Bulls (3-2) to take down the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (2-3) 6-1 on Wednesday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. On the mound for Sugar Land, RHP Tyler Ivey (L, 0-1) made his first appearance for the Space Cowboys in 1,060
Bluaugh Sets Tone As Space Cowboys Blank Bulls
Despite being held to two hits, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (2-2) won their first ever game against the Durham Bulls (2-2), blanking Durham 2-0 on Tuesday night at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. After being held to a hit in the first two frames against RHP Joe Boyle (L, 0-1),
Sugar Land Rallies But OKC Scores In Ninth To Beat Space Cowboys 3-2
After rallying from down 2-0 in the early frames, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (1-2) saw the Oklahoma City Comets (2-1) manufacture a run in the top of the ninth in a 3-2 loss on Sunday afternoon at Constellation Field. RHP Lance McCullers Jr. made the start for Sugar Land
Hamilton Drives In A Pair But Space Cowboys Topped on Saturday Night
Despite drawing nine walks in the contest, the Sugar Land Space Cowboys (1-1) fell to the Oklahoma City Comets (1-1) 8-2 on Saturday night at Constellation Field. Sugar Land got out to a lead in the first inning thanks to a Brice Matthews lead-off single, a steal of second and
Season-Opening Stunner! Space Cowboys Score Four In Ninth To Walk Off OKC
After being held to just two hits in their first eight innings, the defending Triple-A National Champion Sugar Land Space Cowboys (1-0) scored four in the ninth to improbably top the Oklahoma City Comets (0-1) 4-3 in walk-off fashion on Opening Night at Constellation Field. Highlights of tonight’s game can
Lance McCullers Jr Scheduled To Join Space Cowboys On Rehab Assignment
Houston Astros RHP Lance McCullers Jr. is scheduled to join the Sugar Land Space Cowboys on a Major League rehab assignment as Sugar Land opens the season. McCullers Jr. is currently scheduled to start on Sunday, March 30 for the Space Cowboys 2:05 pm game against the Oklahoma City Comets