Power Pros Forum

Chicago White Sox (31-26) @ Colorado Rockies (27-30)
June 6th, 2005

Chicago White Sox - 5
Colorado Rockies - 11

D. Mohr - 3-5, 2 2B, RBI, 3 R, .292
J. Piedra - 0-4, R, BB, .195
M. Holliday - 3-5, HR, 5 RBI, 2 R, .311
T. Helton - 2-4, RBI, R, BB, .370
J. Acaccia - 1-3, RBI, R, 2 BB, K, .361
C. Johnson - 1-4, 2B, BB, 3 K, .287
C. McMahon - 0-4, R, BB, 2 K, .259
D. Acosta - 3-5, RBI, R, .318
J. Jennings - 1-3, 2 RBI, R, K, .083
- J. Germano - 0-1, .125

J. Jennings (W, 5-4) - 6.2 IP, 5 H, ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 2.01
J. Germano - 1.1 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6.75
J. Lopez - 1.0 IP, H, ER, 2.70

June 7th to June 12th
6/7 vs. CHW - L, 9-5
6/8 vs. CHW - L, 8-3
6/10 vs. DET - L, 9-7
6/11 vs. DET - W, 7-1
6/12 vs. DET - W, 9-5

NL League Leaders Update
June 12th, 2005

Batting Average
1. Todd Helton - COL - .363
2. Rich Thompson - PIT - .359
3. Joey Acaccia - COL - .355
4. Cliff Floyd - NYM - .346
5. J.T. Snow - SF - .345

Home Runs
1. Jim Edmonds - STL - 17
2(t). Barry Bonds - SF - 16
2(t). J.D. Drew - LA - 16
2(t). Carlos Beltran - NYM - 16
5(t). J.T. Snow - SF - 15
5(t). Matt Holliday - COL - 15
5(t). Todd Helton - COL - 15
5(t). Phil Nevin - SD - 15

Runs Batted In
1. Edgard Alfonzo - SF - 50
2(t). J.T. Snow - SF - 49
2(t). Jeff Kent - LA - 49
4(t). Matt Holliday - COL - 48
4(t). Barry Bonds - SF - 48

Stolen Bases
1(t). Juan Pierre - FLA - 19
1(t). Carlos Beltran - NYM - 19
3(t). Corey Patterson - CHC - 17
3(t). Luis Castillo - FLA - 17
5. Danny McKnight - LA - 14

Doubles
1. Danny McKnight - LA - 20
2(t). Brian Giles - SD - 19
2(t). Carlos Lee - MIL - 19
4(t). Tim Redman - PIT - 18
4(t). Brian Schneider - WAS - 18

Triples
1(t). Doug Harris - HOU - 6
1(t). Rafael Furcal - ATL - 6
1(t). Luis Castillo - FLA - 6
4(t). Omar Vizquel - SF - 5
4(t). Aaron Miles - COL - 5

Danny leading in doubles, swaaaaaag

Colorado Rockies (30-33) @ Cleveland Indians (20-42)
June 14th, 2005

Colorado Rockies - 3
Cleveland Indians - 1

A. Miles - 2-4, R, K, CS, .294
D. Mohr - 2-4, RBI, 2 K, .302
M. Holliday - 1-4, .314
T. Helton - 2-4, HR, 2 RBI, R, .366
J. Acaccia - 0-4, K, .349
J. Piedra - 0-4, K, .202
C. Johnson - 0-4, .301
J. Closser - 0-3, .174
D. Acosta - 1-3, R, SB, .314

A. Bernero (W, 4-6) - 6.0 IP, 5 H, ER, 5 K, 4.59
D. Oliver - 1.0 IP, 3 H, 7.00
J. Lopez - 1.0 IP, H, K, 2.38
B. Fuentes (SV, 13) - 1.0 IP, 3 K, 5.65

June 15th to June 19th
6/15 @ CLE - W, 5-2
6/16 @ CLE - L, 9-8
6/17 @ BAL - L, 9-3
6/18 @ BAL - L, 5-3
6/19 @ BAL - L, 9-7

NL All-Star Voting Update
June 19th, 2005

Catchers
1. Mike Piazza - NYM
2. Michael Barrett - CHC
3. Ramon Hernandez - SD
4. Paul Lo Duca - FLA
5. Roger Chamberlain - MIL

First Basemen
1. Todd Helton - COL
2. Jim Thome - PHI
3. J.T. Snow - SF
4. Albert Pujols - STL
5. Jeff Bagwell - HOU

Second Basemen
1. Jeff Kent - LA
2. Kazuo Matsui - NYM
3. Luis Castillo - FLA
4. Mark Loretta - SD
5. Aaron Miles - COL

Third Basemen
1. Scott Rolen - STL
2. Joey Acaccia - COL
3. David Wright - NYM
4. Edgardo Alfonzo - SF
5. Mike Lowell - FLA

Shortstops
1. Danny McKnight - LA
2. Rafael Furcal - ATL
3. Omar Vizquel - SF
4. Domingo Acosta - COL

Outfielders
1. Barry Bonds - SF
2. Carlos Beltran - NYM
3. Larry Walker - STL
4. Jim Edmonds - STL
5. Carlos Lee - MIL

This log is great, please don't stop, thanks.

June 20th to June 22nd
6/20 @ HOU - W, 2-1
6/21 @ HOU - L, 6-1
6/22 @ HOU - L, 4-3

Rockies Demote Struggling New Pitchers
June 23rd, 2005
By Zachary Bluth

Following the disappointing conclusion to the Rockies' series with the Houston Astros, General Manager Michael Cathaway elected to demote the two pitchers he he acquired in May: Adam Loewen and Justin Germano.

Loewen, at age 21, pitched just 12.1 innings to the tune of a 6.57 ERA for the Rockies. While he's struck out 12, he's also walked 7 and has not impressed manager Clint Hurdle, and is thus being sent down to refine his abilities. Germano, 22, has pitched 33 innings for the Rockies since the May 11th trade that saw his arrival and has walked a whopping 26 batters. His ERA stands at 8.18 in those 33 innings, and he will accompany Loewen as the duo travels to Colorado Springs.

In the meantime, the Rockies have recalled two pitchers from the AAA Sky Sox. Starting pitcher Aaron Cook, who, as you may remember, was demoted on May 29th after a less-than-impressive start, will return to the big league club after going 3-1 with a 2.43 ERA in five AAA starts. Alongside him will be reliever Shawn Chacon, who was pitched 17.2 shutout innings and racked up 18 saves as the Colorado Springs closer. Chacon is 27 and lost his roster spot after a weak Spring, and will be looking to make an impact that solidifies his spot on the Rockies' big league club.

June 24th to July 3rd
6/24 vs. KC - L, 5-4
6/25 vs. KC - W, 7-4
6/26 vs. KC - W, 5-1
6/27 vs. HOU - W, 8-4
6/28 vs. HOU - W, 8-5
6/29 vs. HOU - L, 9-1
6/30 @ STL - L, 6-3
7/1 @ STL - W, 6-0
7/2 @ STL - W, 7-6
7/3 @ STL - L, 3-0

NL All-Star Voting Update
July 3rd, 2005

Catchers
1. Mike Piazza - NYM
2. Michael Barrett - CHC
3. Paul Lo Duca - FLA
4. Ramon Hernandez - SD
5. Brian Schneider - WAS

First Basemen
1. J.T. Snow - SF
2. Todd Helton - COL
3. Jim Thome - PHI
4. Albert Pujols - STL
5. Jeff Bagwell - HOU

Second Basemen
1. Jeff Kent - LA
2. Luis Castillo - FLA
3. Aaron Miles - COL
4. Kazuo Matsui - NYM
5. Mark Loretta - SD

Third Basemen
1. Scott Rolen - STL
2. David Wright - NYM
3. Edgardo Alfonzo - SF
4. Joey Acaccia - COL
5. Mike Lowell - FLA

Shortstops
1. Nomar Garciaparra - CHC
2. Danny McKnight - LA
3. Rafael Furcal - ATL
4. Jimmy Rollins - PHI
5. Omar Vizquel - SF

Outfielders
1. Barry Bonds - SF
2. Carlos Beltran - NYM
3. Larry Walker - STL
4. Carlos Lee - MIL
5. Jim Edmonds - STL

Twins, Blue Jays Execute Blockbuster
July 4th, 2005
By Zachary Bluth

Today, at around 6:00 EST, the Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays finalized a deal that ushered in the biggest trading month of the year.

The Twins, who sit atop the American League Central with the outstanding record of 52-28, sent 21-year-old starting pitcher Francisco Liriano to the Blue Jays in exchange for Steve Brassard, a outfielder of the same age. Both players are expected to make an significant impact at the major league level, although Brassard is considered more big-league ready and is currently leading the AL Rookie of the Year race with a .317 average, 8 home runs, and 10 stolen bases. Liriano, on the other hand, has been mediocre in AAA, posting a 4.70 ERA in 69.0 innings. Clearly, the Toronto front office doesn't see this as a red flag, as they happily gave up one of the best prospects in baseball. At 36-46, the Blue Jays don't seem to be making much of a playoff push, and are instead likely seeking out young pitchers who can accompany Roy Halladay and Ted Lilly atop the team's rotation.

Does the AL not have All-Star voting?

I wasn't planning on including the voting at all, but the lineups will be posted the day of the All-Star Game.

Loving the log.

One suggestion I have is maybe talk about the rest of the Rockies organization once in a while.

I admit this is kinda selfish because I want to see how Fraser is developing.

Yeah, and Royal.

Yeah, I definitely need to find a way to work that in. Off the top of my head, I know Case Royal has been fairly effective as the AA team's closer and Fraser is batting over .300.

/me wonders how Techer's doing with the Tigers.

Last I checked, pretty bad, despite him being their best starter and the best of all the players I created.

His ERA was over 5.00.

I AM fifth in the all star voting I going downhill

July 4th through July 7th
Los Angeles Dodgers (41-40) @ Colorado Rockies (39-43)

Game One

Los Angeles Dodgers - 4
Colorado Rockies - 5

A. Miles - 1-5, 2B, .283
D. Mohr - 0-4, BB, K, .319
M. Holliday - 1-5, 2B, K, .312
T. Helton - 0-2, R, 2 BB, .337
J. Acaccia - 1-3, HR, RBI, R, BB, K, .339
J. Piedra - 1-5, .248
C. Johnson - 1-2, HR, RBI, 2 R, 2 BB, K, .306
C. McMahon - 2-4, 2B, R, K, .274
J. Jennings - 1-2, 2B, 2 RBI, K, .172
- J. Lopez - 1-1, 2B, .375

J. Jennings - 6.1 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 6 K, 3.30
J. Lopez (W, 2-4) - 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 K, 2.70
B. Fuentes (SV, 19) - 1.0, 2 H, K, 3.86

Game Two

Los Angeles Dodgers - 2
Colorado Rockies - 0

A. Miles - 0-3, BB, .281
D. Mohr - 1-4, K, .318
T. Helton - 1-4, 2B, 2 K, .335
J. Acaccia - 0-2, 2 BB, 2 K, .337
C. Johnson - 1-4, K, .305
M. MacKenzie - 1-4, K, .182
B. Nunez - 0-3, BB, .333
D. Acosta - 2-4, K, .294
A. Bernero - 0-2, .000
- J. Closser - 0-1, K, .215
- C. McMahon - 0-1, .270

Remember that one time when I advanced past the game without getting the pitching stats? This is that time.

Game Three

Los Angeles Dodgers - 4
Colorado Rockies - 3

A. Miles - 3-5, 2B, 2 R, 2 K, CS, .285
D. Mohr - 1-5, 2B, RBI, K, .317
M. Holliday - 1-4, 2 RBI, SF, .311
T. Helton - 2-5, .336
J. Acaccia - 1-3, BB, .337
J. Piedra - 1-4, K, .248
C. Johnson - 2-4, 2B, 2 K, .309
C. McMahon - 0-4, K, .256
D. Neagle - 0-2, K, .273
- D. Acosta - 0-0, BB, R, .294

D. Neagle - 5.0 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 2.39
M. Morgan - 3.0 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 BB, K, 5.40
S. Chacon - 1.0 IP, H, BB, K, 6.75
J. Lopez (L, 2-5) - 2.0 IP, 2 H, ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 2.76

Tensions ran high in this extra-inning affair with Dodgers. When Danny McKnight stole his 17th base of the season off pitcher Denny Neagle, words were exchanged between the two players, paralleling McKnight's near-scuffle with Jeff Francis earlier in the year.

MckNight, a 24-year old rookie, has already gained a reputation for being outspoken and is widely disliked throughout the league. Dodgers manager Jim Tracy has not commented on the shortstop's actions nor taken any action to discourage this behavior.

Game Four

Los Angeles Dodgers - 2
Colorado Rockies - 1

A. Miles - 0-3, BB, CS, .283
D. Mohr - 0-4, 2 K, .313
T. Helton - 1-4, 2 K, .335
J. Acaccia - 0-3, BB, K, .333
J. Closser - 0-3, R, BB, K, .207
M. Holliday - 1-2, BB, K, .312
B. Nunez - 1-3, RBI, .333
D. Acosta - 0-3, 3 K, .291
J. Kennedy - 0-1, .207
- M. Davis - 0-1, .316
- J. Piedra - 0-1, .247

J. Kennedy (L, 4-6) - 6.0 IP, 6 H, ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 3.89
C. Tsao - 2.0 IP, H, ER, 2 K, 5.57
A. Cook - 1.0 IP, H, 7.20

July 8th to July 10th
7/8 vs. SD - L, 8-7
7/9 vs. SD - L, 6-4
7/10 vs. SD - W, 4-2

A Mid-Season Report
What's going wrong, what's going right, and what we have to look forward to.
July 11th, 2005
By Zachary Bluth

It's the day before the All-Star Game, and as the MLB takes a breather, now presents an excellent opportunity to take a moment to reflect on the team and its status. At 41-48, the Rockies are 4th in their division and are a whopping 18.0 games behind the Giants, whose record stands at a major league best 58-29. But that alone does not even begin to tell the whole story of this organization.

Despite what their record may suggest, the Rockies have done many thing well thus far. With a run differential of +6, a team batting average of .299, and a team ERA of 4.12, the Rockies are playing like an above average ball club; however, a record of 11-17 in one-run games has proved to be troublesome, and the Rockies are going to have to learn to overcome those deficits.

On the offensive side of things, three names obviously stand out: Veteran Todd Helton, 25-year old Joey Acaccia, and sophomore Matt Holliday. Between the three of them emerges a .328 batting average, 57 home runs, and 163 RBI. That kind of production, while incredible, is come to be expected from the trio. More surprisingly, perhaps, are the contributions of right fielder Dustan Mohr, rookie shortstop Domingo Acosta, and catcher Charles Johnson. All three are batting over .300 as starters, with Mohr leading the pack at .320 (with 12 home runs). Mohr is just a .277 career hitter, and Johnson just .249, so these numbers are unprecedented. Acosta was marketed to the Rockie faithful as a speedy defensive-minded infielder who was not expected to provide on offense, but his .304 average, 19 doubles, and 8 steals had him in the top 5 of All-Star voting at one point. Rounding out the lineup are second baseman Aaron Miles (.283, 11 HR, 7 SB, 442 SLG%) and outfielders Jorge Piedra (.254, 5 HR, 173 AB) and Bret Nunez (.331, 4 HR, 118 AB), who have split time in center field since the trade of Preston Wilson.

While success at the plate has come naturally to the Rockies, as it typically does, success on the mound has proved to be much more elusive. There are certainly some bright spots, such as in starters Denny Neagle and Jason Jennings and reliver Javier Lopez, but many red flags have been raised about the performances of Michael-Sea Morgan, Brian Fuentes, Chin-Hui Tsao, and Aaron Cook, all of whom have ERA's over 5.30. The performances of May acquisitions Justin Germano and Adam Loewen were also worrisome, although both young hurlers have found success since being designated for assignment. Overall, while the bullpen has been shaky, the relative success of the teams starting pitchers more than compensates.

As many know, the Rockies are a team looking toward the future. Not expected to win more than 75 games by even the most generous of estimates, this team is one that hopes to become a force not now, but later. Given that fact, it's important that we take a look at who's making a splash in the minor league system, one that figures to be one of the best in the majors.

In AAA, The Colorado Springs Sky Sox are currently 2nd in their division at 52-39. While some of the team's best offensive contributors are far from being prospects (Enrique Wilson, 31, Desi Relaford, 31, and Todd Greene, 34), outfielder Freddy Guzman has been working to improve his hitting abilities and is batting .278. Guzman, who was acquired in a trade that also brought Justin Germano to the ball club, is one of the fastest players in the minors and should steal bases for the Rockies for years. Also working on his hitting is third baseman Randy Klann, 20, who is batting a solid .268. Klann figures to see major league time by the end of 2006 and may earn himself a roster spot by 2007.

The AA Tulsa Drillers narrowly lost the first-half division title, going 35-35 and finishing a game behind the Arkansas Travelers. The team is now 10-8 in the second half and leading the division. The team's brightest offensive star is 20-year old second baseman Mac Fraser, who is batting .278 in the team's leadoff spot while also playing exceptional defense. Fraser is one of the organization's top prospects and, assuming his development goes well, should be a fixture in the Rockies' lineup throughout the next ten to fifteen years. The team's pitching rotation is headed by another 20-year old, a man by the name of Matthew Cain. Cain was acquired in the offseason when the Rockies trade recent draft pick Blake Carter to the Giants (who is now batting .255 with 5 HR for the Giants' AAA affiliate). Cain has been great, pitching his way to a 3.15 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 83.0 innings. In the bullpen, closer Case Royal is making a name for himself. At just 19 years old, Royal has 26 saves and a 2.83 ERA to go along with 25 strikeouts. A lefty, he throws four pitches: A fastball, a cutter, a curveball, and a knuckleball. All four need work, but Royal's youth and potential make him the organization's #1 relief prospect.

Between the 25-man roster and these two clubs, the Rockies organization is ripe with talent. Some major league ready (Jeff Francis, Domingo Acosta, Matt Holliday) and some with the sky as the limit (Mac Fraser, Matt Cain, Case Royal). All in all, the Rockies are undeniably on their way up. How far they go, however, is yet to be seen.