Greetings from Scottsdale, Arizona and Salt River Fields home of the Colorado Rockies during spring training. Be sure to tune in tonight for the Yard Goats Season Preview Show that I will be hosting on WTIC AM 1080 from 6-7 PM (audacy.com/wtic). We will visit with former Yard Goats turned Rockies Ryan McMahon, Brendan Rodgers and Brenton Doyle and hear from manager Bobby Meacham and Rockies Director of Player Development Chris Forbes. Berlin native Matt Carasiti, who’s trying for a spot in the Rockies bullpen will join us as well, as will Thomas Harding who does a great job covering the Rockies for MLB.com. Yard Goats President Tim Restall will stop by to talk about the fun things that fans will see at Dunkin’ Park this season. Look forward to talking with you tonight at 6!
The Yard Goats were well represented at Thursday’s Rockies-Cubs game at Salt River Fields. Ezequiel Tovar, Brendan Rodgers, Sean Bouchard, Elehuris Montero, Michael Toglia and Julio Carreras were all in the starting lineup for the Rockies. Former Yard Goats RHP Yency Almonte started and threw a scoreless innings for the Chicago Cubs. Charlie Blackman hit a two-run homer for the Rockies. Former Yard Goat Ryan Feltner allowed one earned run on four hits through 5.2 innings, walked one and struck out six in his third start this spring.
Bobby Meacham has been impressed with the outfielders, mostly because he has worked with them in camp. “Luis Lopez has been working with the infielders so I’ve been working with the outfielders and these young players have a lot of talent. Veen, Montgomery, Fernandez, and Kokoska have all been playing really well.”
The Rockies Daily roster shuffle continued on Thursday as the club traded LHP Joe Rock to the Tampa Bay Rays for INF/OF Greg Jones. Rock went 1-10 last year at Hartford, but tied a franchise record with 12 strikeouts on June 29th at Binghamton. To make room for Jones on the 40-man roster, the Rockies designated former Yard Goats OF Sam Hilliard. Additionally, former Yard Goats INF Coco Montes, INF Aaron Schunk were optioned to minor league camp and LHP Evan Justice was sent to Triple-A Albuquerque.
Former Yard Goats INF Ryan McMahon has had a very good spring training and is hoping the Rockies can carry the momentum they’ve built in the Cactus League and carry it into the regular season. “I just think we keep doing the same thing,” McMahon said. “We have all committed to trying to get better every day and stick with what we’ve got, so if we keep doing what we have been doing it's going to be a fun season.” McMahon is batting .366 in 15 games this spring.
It’s great to see Brendan Rodgers healthy and on the field. The former Yard Goats infielder went 1-for-3 on Thursday to extend his Spring hitting streak to nine games since March 6th. He has hit safely in 13 of 15 Cactus League games overall and is slashing .390/.432/.463. Rodgers says it feels good to be healthy throughout the spring and to contribute. “What I know I’m capable of which is playing hard, playing smart, and being healthy overall is the number one goal because when I’m healthy I know I can play,” Rodgers said.
It’s been a few years since RHP Matt Carasiti wore the Yard Goats uniform. In fact, the Berlin native was part of the first ever Yard Goats team in 2016. His journey has taken him from Hartford to the Major Leagues, off to Japan and now back with the Rockies organization. He is battling for a spot in the Colorado bullpen and has been lights out this spring. The hard throwing righty has not allowed an earned run all spring in seven appearances.
I’m excited about our new media partner Audacy & WTIC AM 1080. All Yard Goats games home and away will be broadcast live on the free Audacy app and select games will air on the 50,000-watt flamethrower AM 1080. The link to listen will also be available on the Yard Goats website and MiLB.com. The Yard Goats will have content, game highlights and interviews on the Audacy stations, including Brian & Company in the morning on WTIC.
Thanks for reading and more to come!
-The Voice of the Yard Goats
Jeff Dooley