It seems that Jon Gray always has a challenge in the way of making a trip from Albuquerque to Denver and a place in the Rockies’ starting rotation.
The latest challenge comes after a shaky start for the Triple-A Isotopes. Just when it seemed that he might be on his way to his major-league debut, Gray pitched a clunker. In a three-inning performance, the Rockies’ No. 1 pick in the 2013 draft allowed four runs and six hits in a loss.
Now what?
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“The key for Jon is to see how he responds to that recent blip on his record,” said Zach Wilson, the Rockies’ director of player development. “He has made tremendous progress this season, and you have to keep in mind that this is only his second full year in professional baseball.”
Gray is 4-6 with a 4.80 ERA. He leads the pitchers in the Rockies’ farm system with 90 strikeouts.
There had been talk that the former University of Oklahoma star could join the Rockies for their series this weekend in San Diego, but it seems more likely that he will show his response to his last setback on the mound with Albuquerque.
“He’s right here in the clubhouse with me,” Isotopes pitching coach Darryl Scott said Friday, adding that Gray is learning how to be a professional pitcher.
“His ability to throw strikes has been nice,” Scott said. “But he also has learned how to stretch the zone with two strikes on a hitter. In those situations, it doesn’t have to be a strike to be a strike.”
Scott wasn’t scheduling a trip to Denver for his talented right- hander.
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“He’ll tell us when he’s ready to move up by how he pitches,” Scott said. “He’ll let us know when it happens.”
Rockies farm system is up and running.
Wilson likes what he’s seeing from the Rockies’ six farm teams.
“As a system, we’re playing really good baseball right now,” Wilson said. “Across the board, we’re getting good performance from players at all positions.”
WATCH:
ORGANIZATION LEADERS
(Through Thursday)
HITTERS
BATTING AVERAGE: (minimum 68 games) Raimel Tapia, Modesto, .328; Cristhian Adames, Albuquerque, .318.
RUNS: Jordan Patterson, Modesto, 62; Matt McBride, Albuquerque, 56.
HITS: Tapia, Modesto, 118; Ryan McMahon, Modesto, 97.
DOUBLES: McMahon, Modesto, 29; McBride, Albuquerque, 27.
TRIPLES: Patterson, Modesto, 12; Forrest Wall, Asheville, 8.
HOME RUNS: Tom Murphy, New Britain, 13; Dustin Garneau, Albuquerque, 12; Trevor Story, New Britain and Albquerque, 12.
RBIs: Correlle Prime, Modesto, 53; Drew Weeks, Asheville, 53.
STOLEN BASES: Wes Rogers, Asheville, 44; Weeks, Asheville, 26.
PITCHERS
VICTORIES: Harrison Musgrave, Modesto and New Britain, 10; Zach Jemiola, Asheville and Modesto, 10.
LOSSES: Ryan Carpenter, New Britain, 9; Johendi Jiminian, Modesto, 8; Carlos Polanco, Asheville, 8; Sam Howard, Asheville, 8.
SAVES: Josh Michalec, Asheville, 20; Austin House, New Britain, 19.
INNINGS: Jemiola, Asheville and Modesto, 112 ; Matt Flemer, New Britain, 111.
WALKS: Jon Gray, Albuquerque, 35; Helmis Rodriguez, Asheville, 33.
STRIKEOUTS: Gray, Albuquerque, 90; Musgrave, Modesto and New Britain, 87.
ERA: (starters) Antonio Senzatela, Modesto, 2.53; Flemer, New Britain, 3.00; (relievers) Trent Daniel, Modesto, 1.98; Nelson Gonzalez, New Britain and Albuquerque, 2.09.
Irv Moss: 303- 954-1296, imoss@ or
