The Rockies have made progress on the field this season, but making the right moves off the field are required to accelerate the rebuilding process.
With the MLB trade deadline two weeks away on Aug. 3, the Rockies executed the first of what could be several deals, shipping hard-throwing Seth Halvorsen to the Dodgers for Triple-A reliever Nick Frasso and Class-A outfielder Landyn Vidourek.
“The idea of this trade was being able to add a player that is close for us at the major-league level in a similar role, and then taking a shot at a guy we feel has a significant upside,” Rockies president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta said.
Rockies general manager Josh Byrnes spent 11 seasons in the Dodgers organization as the senior vice president of baseball operations. So, he is leaning on familiarity in this transaction, which centers on Frasso.
The 27-year-old right-hander features a crossfire delivery from the third base side of the rubber, creating some funky movement given his 6-foot-5 frame. The Dodgers acquired Frasso from Toronto when Byrnes had his fingerprints on Los Angeles’ minor league system. Frasso brings heat, with his fastball sitting between 97 and 100 mph in his last Triple-A outing for the Oklahoma City Comets. He was considered one of baseball’s top 100 prospects when the Dodgers acquired him, but injuries slowed his progress.
He has 40 strikeouts in 24 2/3 innings this season with a 4.74 ERA and 1.66 WHIP in 21 games, using a delivery that draws comparisons to former big leaguer Jeff Weaver. Frasso will join his new franchise in Triple-A Albuquerque.
“He’s very tough on right-handers,” DePodesta said. “And while he hasn’t had the major-league opportunities yet that Seth has, we think he’s right on the cusp of that. We feel like he’s got a chance to help us here pretty soon.”
Added Byrnes, “He is right on the doorstep. He is front of mind as we think of staff at big league level. With the trade, we wanted to have him come in at the same level to get his feet on the ground.”
The Rockies are gambling that Frasso will be a better fit than the 26-year-old Halvorsen, who boasted a live fastball, but failed to gain traction.
“Seth has tremendous upside, and he’s already had some major-league success,” DePodesta said. “He clearly has a special fastball. And I’ve always very much appreciated his mentality. He’s not afraid and wants to be on the mound in big moments.
“So for all those reasons, we were hesitant to trade him. That being said, there was real interest in him around the league, and it is an area where we’ve got some real depth (in the bullpen).”
Halvorsen, selected in the seventh round of the 2023 draft by the previous Colorado regime, showed potential with a 100-mph fastball. However, he struggled with his command. He posted a 4.74 ERA in 21 games this season in the big leagues, issuing 15 walks in 19 innings, and was a frequent victim of the long ball. The right-hander allowed 12 home runs over the past two seasons, including nine on the road where he owns a career 5.46 ERA.
In Vidourek, the Rockies are taking a flier on a young left-handed hitter with power and position versatility who has to tame his strikeouts. He will report to Low-A Fresno.
“(Vidourek) has a rare combination of power and speed,” DePodesta said. “I think he has a chance to be a well-above-average defender in the outfield, too, to go along with it.”
Byrnes was part of the Dodgers front office that drafted Vidourek out of Cincinnati in the third round a year ago. He can put a charge in the baseball — 18 extra-base hits in Class-A — and has nine stolen bases this season. But he must show better plate discipline, as evidenced by his 100 strikeouts in 210 at-bats and a .170 batting average in Low-A. The Rockies will continue to play him in right field and center field.
“He is a really, really good athlete,” Byrnes said. “We have to solve the strikeout issue. Which he knows.”
The Rockies have several players who are expected to garner trade interest in the coming days, including reliever Antonio Senzatela and outfielder Mickey Moniak. DePodesta says the club will listen to offers for all players on the roster.
