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.
Taco and Margarita Festival!
TACO AND MARGARITA FESTIVAL COMES TO APPALACHIAN POWER PARK CHARLESTON, WV (May 16, 2022) – The Dirty Birds to host a taco and margarita festival on August 13th from 12pm-8pm at Appalachian Power Park. The festival will include specialty tacos, margaritas and live entertainment on the field with bands and
THE CHARLESTON DIRTY BIRD HAS BEEN NAMED DUSTY BY THE FANS
CHARLESTON, WV (April 8, 2022) – The fans have spoken and the Charleston Dirty Bird has been named Dusty via an online poll where over 2,000 fans voted to name the team’s coal dust covered mascot. The Charleston Dirty Birds announced on March 28, 2022 via social media that the
CHARLESTON DIRTY BIRDS EXHIBITION GAMES SCHEDULE
FREE admission Saturday, April 16, and Sunday, April 17 at 12pm CHARLESTON, WV (March 29, 2022) – The Charleston Dirty Birds will return to Appalachian Power Park for two scheduled exhibition games against the Washington Black Sox on Saturday, April 16 and Sunday, April 17 at 12pm. Both exhibition games
CHARLESTON DIRTY BIRDS TO DONATE PORTION OF MERCHANDISE SALES IN MARCH TO MARCH OF DIMES
CHARLESTON DIRTY BIRDS TO DONATE PORTION OF MERCHANDISE SALES IN MARCH TO MARCH OF DIMES The Dirty Birds will donate 10 cents of every dollar sold of merchandise to March of Dimes for the remainder of March CHARLESTON, WV (March 8, 2022) – The Charleston Dirty Birds announce that for
ALBERTO CALLASPO HEADLINES NEXT WAVE OF DIRTY BIRDS ADDED TO THE 2022 ROSTER
CHARLESTON, WV (March 3, 2022) – The Charleston Dirty Birds announce six new players joining the 2022 Roster. Popular Infielder and 2021 Charleston Dirty Birds’ MVP, Alberto Callaspo is returning to Charleston for the 2022 season. Callaspo made his major league debut in 2006 with the Arizona Diamondbacks and has
DIRTY BIRDS ANNOUNCE SIX NEW PLAYERS JOINING THE 2022 ROSTER
The Charleston Dirty Birds announce six new players joining the 2022 Roster: catcher Alfredo Gonzalez, right handed pitcher Jordan Stephens, outfielder Anfernee Seymour, right handed pitcher Francisco Carrillo, right handed pitcher Tyler Wilson, and infielder Angel Garced. Alfredo Gonzalez, a catcher who played for the Chicago White Sox in 2018
ATLANTIC LEAGUE CLUBS INTRODUCE BALLPARK PASS
(Feb. 2, 2022, New York) – The Atlantic League (ALPB) and its clubs today announced the introduction of Ballpark Pass, a new concept which will allow any full season ticket holder entry to any ballgame at any park throughout the Atlantic League. “Our clubs are universally excited about the potential
ATLANTIC LEAGUE RESTORES 60’6” PITCHING RUBBER DISTANCE
ATLANTIC LEAGUE RESTORES 60’6” PITCHING RUBBER DISTANCESuccessful Automated Ball - Strike Technology Migrates to Affiliated Minor League (January 13, 2022, New York, N.Y.) – The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) announced today that it will return the distance of the pitching rubber to its conventional 60’6” and will resume
EDWIN ESPINAL HEADLINES FIRST WAVE OF 2022 DIRTY BIRDS’ ROSTER
The Charleston Dirty Birds announce seven new players joining the 2022 roster. Popular first baseman/DH Edwin Espinal is returning to the Dirty Birds for the 2022 season. Espinal returned to Charleston for the 2021 season after playing for the former West Virginia Power in 2014. Espinal had a productive first
CHARLESTON DIRTY BIRDS TO GIVE AWAY 100 TURKEYS
The Charleston Dirty Birds will host a turkey giveaway to families just in time for the Christmas holiday. The event will take place at Appalachian Power Park on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at 4pm. Families in need of a turkey for the holidays are invited to stop by Appalachian Power
TESTA, KELLY, COROMATO NAMED DIRTY BIRDS COACHING STAFF
TESTA, KELLY, COROMATO NAMED DIRTY BIRDS COACHING STAFF Joe Testa, Scott Kelly and Anthony Coromato signed as coaching staff for the 2022 season The Charleston Dirty Birds announced today that two familiar faces will be seen on the field and coaching staff for the 2022 season. Joe Testa and Scott
BILLY HORN NAMED CHARLESTON DIRTY BIRDS MANAGER
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (December 7, 2021) - The Charleston Dirty Birds announced today that Billy Horn will be the Manager of the Dirty Birds for the 2022 season. “We are thrilled to have someone with Billy’s experience and stellar reputation at the helm of the Dirty Birds for the 2022 season”
CHARLESTON DIRTY BIRDS RELEASE 2022 SEASON SCHEDULE
CHARLESTON DIRTY BIRDS RELEASE 2022 SEASON SCHEDULE Tuesday-Saturday games will now begin at 6:35pm, and Sunday games will start at 5:05pm. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (November 15, 2021) - The Charleston Dirty Birds have released their full schedule for the 2022 season, which includes 67 home games beginning Thursday, April 21, 2022.
ATLANTIC LEAGUE ADDS 10TH TEAM FOR 2022
ATLANTIC LEAGUE ADDS 10th TEAM FOR 2022 Kentucky Club To Share Legends Ballpark for League’s 24th Season (November 11, 2021, New York) – The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) announced today it has added a 10th team for 2022. Referred to as the Kentucky team (KY), the club will
West Virginia Power are now the Charleston Dirty Birds!
Charleston Dirty Birds Hatched CHARLESTON WEST VIRGINIA BASEBALL HATCHED AS THE CHARLESTON DIRTY BIRDS On September 28th, the West Virginia Power has retired as the new name, logo and identity was revealed to a great Tuesday night crowd at Appalachian Power Park. You will see below, as our local sports
Today's 9/5 game has been postponed!
Due to present weather conditions and the forecast for the remainder of the day today’s scheduled 1:05 contest between the High Point Rockers and West Virginia Power at Appalachian Park has been postponed and will be made up as part of a Doubleheader on Tuesday, September 14th at 5:05 PM.
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT FOR WEST VIRGINIA POWER BASEBALL
\\FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\
BIG ANNOUNCEMENT FOR WEST VIRGINIA POWER BASEBALL
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (September 2, 2021) – West Virginia Power Baseball returned to Charleston, West Virginia for the 2021 season and fans have been enjoying the excitement of a nine-inning carnival all season. The carnival on social media surrounding the Power
ATLANTIC LEAGUE OFFICIALLY APPROVES NEW TEAM FOR HAGERSTOWN, MARYLAND
Professional baseball’s return will coincide with Maryland Stadium Authority’s construction of a new multi-use sports and event facility in downtown Hagerstown, Maryland. (New York, Sept. 1, 2021) – The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) Board of Directors has approved the membership application of Downtown Baseball, LLC to join the
David Kubiak’s Contract Purchased by the Texas Rangers August 26, 2021,
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jeremy Taylor, Senior Executive Director of Baseball and Stadium Operations Phone: 304‐344‐2287 E‐Mail: jtaylor@wvpower.com Yet Another Power Player Has Contract Purchased RHP David Kubiak’s Purchased by the Texas Rangers August 26, 2021, Charleston, WV. — The Texas Rangers have purchased the contract of starting pitcher David
Save Minor League Baseball: A message to our fans
Relief Act would provide grants to eligible MiLB clubs
RHP Aaron Blair and RHP Edwin Quirarte Heading to MiLB and Mexico Respectively
July, 20, 2021, Charleston, WV. — The San Francisco Giants have purchased the contract of starting pitcher Aaron Blair, while the Leones de Yucatan have purchased the contract of relief pitcher Edwin Quirarte. RHP Edwin Quirarte, who reached the Triple-A level with the San Francisco Giants in 2015, is the
3 Power Players Have Contracts Purchased by Mexican League Team
SP Elih Villanueva, OF Jose Tabata, RP Jean Machi Purchased by Sultanes de Monterrey July, 9, 2021, Charleston, WV. — The Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League have purchased the contracts of three roster members the Power announced today. SP Elih Villanueva, who reached the Major League level with
Preview of the Upcoming Homestand
Furry Friend Friday September 3rd vs High Point Rockers Furry Friend Friday! Fans are invited to bring their pets to the ballpark, all pets are welcome including horses, pigs, goats, iguanas, dogs, cats and even hamsters! Pet passes are just $2, all proceeds from pet passes are donated to the
9/5 Game has Been postponed
Due to present weather conditions and the forecast for the remainder of the day today’s scheduled 1:05 contest between the High Point Rockers and West Virginia Power at Appalachian Park has been postponed and will be made up as part of a Doubleheader on Tuesday, September 14th at 5:05 PM.
Wiz Khalifa Concert July 9th
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (May 17, 2021) – Multi-platinum selling, Grammy and Golden Globe nominated recording artist Wiz Khalifa will burst into Appalachian Power Park for a one night event on Friday, July 9th. Bone Thugs N Harmony and Chevy Woods will also be in the stadium for this summer concert for