Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders with the latest installment of his Rockies Mailbag.
Pose a Rockies — or MLB — related question for the Rockies Mailbag.
Hey Patrick, what are your thoughts on Nolan Jones so far? He’s been one of the few bright spots this year. He’s got power, speed and a heckuva arm.
— Mark, Arvada
Mark, I’ve also been impressed by Jones.
Based on discussions with general manager Bill Schmidt and manager Bud Black, I wasn’t sure if Jones’s skills would transfer from Triple-A Albuquerque to the majors this quickly. There were questions about his defense in the outfield and at first base. But so far, so good.
Jones is incredibly athletic and it’s a pleasure to watch him play. He’s provided a needed spark for a struggling team.
Here are some particulars of what he’s done so far (through Monday’s game at Cincinnati):
• Reached base safely in a career-long 13 games, tied for the longest active streak in the National League.
• Since his recall from Triple-A on May 26, slashed .321/.404/.551 with six doubles, four home runs and 12 RBIs, with four stolen bases.
• Hit a walk-off homer on June 11 vs. San Diego, the first walk-off of his career, and the Rockies’ first walk-off homer since Elias Diaz on Sept. 9, 2022.
• His walk-off homer flew 472 feet, the longest walk-off home run in baseball in the Statcast Era (since 2015). He also hit a 483-foot home run on June 7, the second-longest home run in the majors this season. He’s the only player in the majors with two of the 10 longest home runs this season.
Any word on how Ryan Rolison or Riley Pint are looking in the minors?
— Mike, Denver
Mike, Rolison continues his rehab from shoulder surgery last summer. It’s a slow process and even when Rolison made his four starts earlier this season at Triple-A (0-1, 9.00 ERA), he was on a limited pitch count. Now he’s back on the injured list getting treatment. The Rockies are hopeful he can progress this summer but he’s a long way off from making his big-league debut. Shoulder injuries are often more difficult to fix than elbows that are repaired via Tommy John surgery. Rolison’s career is definitely in limbo.
Pint made his Rockies debut earlier this season, but he pitched just one-third of an inning. At Triple-A Albuquerque, he’s pitched in 22 games as a reliever, going 1-3 with a 6.07 ERA and 1.820 WHIP. He might get another chance to prove himself against major league hitters but there is certainly no guarantee that’s going to happen. However, farm director Chris Forbes told me that Pint is making progress.
Do you still think Zac Veen will make his major league debut this year? His .209/.304/.308 slash line at Double-A Hartford isn’t inspiring much hope in my book. I’m more curious about this Hunter Goodman kid. He’s clobbered 18 homers in Double-A so far.
— Peter S., Fort Collins
Peter, it’s looking doubtful that either one of those Yard Goats players will make their debut this season. I was told during spring training that Veen had a legitimate chance to get called up this season, possibly before the All-Star break, but right now he will probably spend most of the year in Hartford.
Veen, just 21, has struggled, hitting just two home runs in 46 games (201 plate appearances). But those who’ve watched him play on a daily basis say he’s making progress, especially as a corner outfielder. Veen certainly flashed promise during spring training. In 20 Cactus League games, he slashed .271/.314/.375 with one home run, two doubles and eight stolen bases. But he’s had a rough go of it in his first full season at Double-A.
He’s been dealing with a left wrist injury that continues to flare up from time to time. From what I’ve been told, his attitude and work ethic remain solid, but he’s clearly still a work in progress. Also, remember that the average age in the tough Eastern League is 23 1/2, so Veen is still something of a kid.
When Veen, along with catching prospect Drew Romo, was sent down from big-league camp, manager Bud Black said: “Are they equipped to play 30, 40, 60, 100 (major league) games? I don’t know. Not right now. That’s why they are in the minors.”
Goodman has shown off his power, but he’s only slashing .231/.336/.537 and there are other young players who are performing better right now.
The Nuggets just won their first title. The Avs are perennial contenders. The Broncos look to be on an upswing. What are we looking forward to with the Rockies outside of one of our vaunted prospects coming up and possibly showing some bright moments? I mean, what’s a win for the Rox? Not finishing last in the National League? This team is frustrating.
— Kevin K., Cheyenne, Wyo.
Kevin, yes, the Rockies are frustrating.
Any kind of “win” for the Rockies this season won’t be seen in the won-loss record. Given the state of their starting pitching, the first 100-loss season in franchise history is a possibility and last place in the NL West is a probability.
So a win for the club would be continued growth from young players such as shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, center fielder Brenton Doyle and Nolan Jones, some smart trades to acquire pitching prospects, and a solid draft.
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