Toglia, Jones slugging to open Triple-A season
DENVER -- Rockies No. 12 prospect Michael Toglia brought the power that showed up at the end of Spring Training to Triple-A Albuquerque. Isotopes teammate Nolan Jones, the No. 17 prospect, is displaying the total package.
On Saturday night against Salt Lake, the switch-hitting Toglia batted right-handed against lefty Jhonathan Diaz and swatted a two-run shot 112.3 mph off the bat that traveled a projected 455 feet. He followed with a three-run shot Sunday.
Toglia needs to match consistency with power. Saturday’s homer was his third this season, but he has seven hits through nine games this season, good for a .200 average.
Jones is busting fences, as well. His solo shot Sunday (when he reached base five times in the 11-10 victory over Salt Lake) was his sixth homer of the season, currently second in the Pacific Coast League. His numbers through nine games are eye-popping -- .353/.476/.941. Obtained from Cleveland this past offseason, Jones has played both corners of the infield and outfield.
More from the Rockies’ system over the last week:
Triple-A Albuquerque:
The need for starting pitching depth has put right-hander Peter Lambert on the radar, but the Rockies are being careful. After pitching minimally since having Tommy John surgery in 2020, Lambert has made two starts this season and thrown 4 1/3 innings (6.23 ERA, 6 H, 3 SO, 3 BB). … The pandemic was a disruption for 2019 second-round pick Aaron Schunk, but opportunities came his way late in Spring Training, and he responded by opening the Minor League season 12-for-29 with two homers and two doubles through eight games. … Keep an eye on righty starter Noah Davis, who is on the 40-man roster and could be next up if there’s an opening in the Rockies’ rotation. On Wednesday, he held Salt Lake to one run and three hits with three strikeouts in five innings.
Double-A Hartford:
Left-hander Joe Rock (No. 18) dealt with shoulder soreness during the winter -- a development that led the Rockies to bring him along slowly. In his first first start of 2023 on Saturday, he struck out five in 3 2/3 innings. He yielded five hits and four runs, including a homer. … Righty Case Williams (No. 25) struck out five and yielded just two hits in five innings of the team’s opener. … Many eyes are on outfielder Zac Veen (Rockies No. 2 and MLB Pipeline No. 25), who struggled at Double-A last season. Asked to improve his selectivity, he began the season 3-for-11 (.273) with three walks against three strikeouts and succeeded on his first two steal attempts. … Hunter Goodman (Rockies No. 15) homered, doubled and drew two walks to start his Double-A season after popping 36 homers over three levels last season.
Single-A Fresno:
Right-hander Jordy Vargas (No. 13), who pitched himself onto the radar last season, struck out three in five innings and gave up two runs on six hits in his first start, a 5-3 Grizzlies win over San Jose in Thursday’s opener. … Left-handed-hitting outfielder Yanquiel Fernandez (No. 11) hit 21 homers at Fresno last season and had some impressive at-bats in Major League Spring Training games. Fernandez began this season 3-for-13 (.231) with a double, three walks and six strikeouts.