After a rather ordinary season, the Rockies’ farm system needs a fire-brand prospect whose numbers can generate anticipation for his arrival in the Coors Field dugout.
Kyle Parker, who combined football and baseball at Clemson University and is the Rockies’ recently signed first-round draft pick, believes he could be the player the Rockies need to put some clout in their farm system.
“They wanted a player with a lot of power from the right side of the plate,” Parker said last week after completing football practice. “I didn’t just play baseball last spring and was able to put up some good numbers.”
Parker hit .344 with 20 home runs and 64 RBIs last season for the Tigers, while dividing his time between baseball and spring football practice. His numbers indicate he could fill the bill of a corner outfielder in the manner of a Matt Holliday.
In his agreement with the Rockies, Parker was allowed to play football this fall and looks to be Clemson’s starting quarterback. But Parker claimed he could have been bought out of his final season of football, but he and the Rockies couldn’t agree on a price.
“I gave them a number that would have convinced me not to play football this fall,” Parker said. “It was around $3 million. I made my decision and I stuck to my word. Now that I’m on the football field, it feels as if I was supposed to come back.”
Parker insists that he wants to play baseball as a pro, but also is interested in any attention he might receive in the NFL draft next spring.
“I’m scheduled to go to spring training with the Rockies in February, and I’m excited about that,” Parker said. “I think I’m supposed to start out in Asheville.”
When would he expect to bring his power hitting to the Rockies?
“That’s tough for me to say right now,” Parker said. “I’m used to working my way up. I was at the bottom of the depth chart when I came here.”
While injuries diminished the chances for some big numbers among Rockies farmhands, the farm system provided some help.
Pitchers Casey Weathers, Greg Reynolds and Christian Friedrich, all first-round draft picks, were set back with arm problems.
Newcomers Jhoulys Chacin, Esmil Rogers, Matt Reynolds and most recently Samuel Deduno have joined the Rockies’ pitching staff. Eric Young Jr. has made an impact as a leadoff hitter. Jonathan Herrera proved there could be value in nondrafted free agents.
Down on the farm
Marc Gustafson, the Rockies’ director of player development, took injuries into account in naming the top five pitching prospects and the top five position-player prospects.
Pitchers R-L Team Rec. Projection
1. Tyler Matzek L A-Asheville 5-1 2013
2. Casey Weathers R A-Modesto 0-1 2011
3. Christian Friedrich R AA-Tulsa 3-6 2012
4. Rex Brothers L AA-Tulsa 2-3 2011
5. Juan Nicasio R A-Modesto 11-10 2012
Position players Pos. Team B.A. Projection
1. Wilin Rosario C AA-Tulsa .285 2012
2. Charles Blackmon OF AA-Tulsa .302 2012
3. Hector Gomez SS AA-Tulsa .269 2012
4. Jordan Pacheco C AA-Tulsa .322 2012
5. Nolan Arenado 3B A-Asheville .294 2013
Minor-league spotlight
Chris Balcom-Miller, P, Asheville
Chris Balcom-Miller has become one of the hottest pitchers in the Rockies’ farm system, just in time for the Asheville Tourists’ race to gain the postseason in the South Atlantic League.
Drafted in the sixth round of the June 2009 draft, Balcom-Miller has won his last five decisions and pulled his record to 6-6. With Balcom- Miller being the stopper, the Tourists are clinging to a game lead in the second half of the season in the divisional race.
Asheville finished the first half in last place.
“This is the time of the year we look for our minor-league pitchers to finish strong,” said Marc Gustafson, director of player development. “Balcom-Miller was limited in spring training because of a stress fracture in his right foot.”
Balcom-Miller was the pitcher of the year last season in the Pioneer League while pitching for Casper.
In his last five decisions, the 21-year-old right-hander kept the opposition under four hits in all five starts. He struck out 34 and walked five, allowing no walks in three of the five outings.
Organizational leaders (Through Thursday)
HITTING: (105 games) Matt Miller, Colorado Springs, .325; Jay Payton, Colorado Springs, .324.
RUNS: Miller, Colorado Springs, 84; Thomas Field, Modesto, 82.
HITS: Miller, Colorado Springs, 150; Jordan Pacheco, Modesto/Tulsa, 142; Ben Paulsen, Modesto, 142.
DOUBLES: Nolan Arenado, Asheville, 37; Travis Metcalf, Colorado Springs, 34.
TRIPLES: James Cesario, Modesto, 10; Eliezer Mesa, Asheville, 9.
HOME RUNS: Brad Eldred, Colorado Springs, 28; Jared Clark, Asheville, 24.
RBIs: Clark, Asheville, 82; Pacheco, Modesto/Tulsa, 81.
STOLEN BASES: Anthony Jackson, Tulsa, 32; Avery Barnes, Asheville, 27; Mesa, Asheville, 27.
PITCHING VICTORIES: Juan Nicasio, Modesto, 11; Alan Johnson, Colorado Springs, 10; Rob Scahill, Modesto, 10.
LOSSES: Brandon Durden, Tulsa/Colorado Springs, 13; Chaz Roe, Colorado Springs, 12.
SAVES: Adam Jorgenson, Modesto, 24; Sheng-An Kuo, Asheville, 20.
INNINGS: Nicasio, Modesto, 163L; Ethan Hollingsworth, Modesto/Tulsa, 150L.
WALKS: Tyler Matzek, Asheville, 56; Scahill, Modesto, 54.
STRIKEOUTS: Nicasio, Modesto, 152; Hollingsworth, Modesto/Tulsa, 142.
ERA: (starters) Matzek, Asheville, 2.99; Chris Balcom-Miller, 3.06 (relievers) Sean Jarrett, Tri-City/Tulsa, 1.86; Jorgenson, Modesto, Tulsa, 1.91.
