Wednesday Farm Report: Hoffman Battles Inconsistency at Albuquerque

Jeff Hoffman was expected to be a regular in the Rockies rotation by now.

Instead, he continues to battle inconsistency at Triple-A Albuquerque.

Hoffman, part of the package from the Blue Jays for Troy Tulowitzki in July of 2015, has spent time in the big leagues with the Rockies in 2016, 2017 and this year, compiing a 6-9 record with a 5.83 ERA in 37 games, 23 starts.

He has fallen behind six others in the Rockies rotation battle -- Kyle Freeland, Jon Gray, German Marquez, Tyler Anderson, Chad Bettis and Antonio Senzatela.

Meanwhile, having spent the bulk of this season in the Isotopes rotation, Hoffman is 5-8 with a 5.18 ERA. He has two quality starts -- at least six innings and three or fewer runs -- in 19 starts, and has worked six innings only four times. He has failed to work more than four innings in nine starts. 

In 86 2/3 innings, Hoffman has walked 43. The Isotopeslost 9-5 to Tacoma on Tuesday in Hoffman's most recent start. He gave up the nine runs on 12 hits and three walks in five innings, five of those runs coming in the fifth.

The Holliday Watch

Matt Holliday, hoping to claim a stretch-run role on the Rockies, was 1-for-5 with two RBI for the Isotopes on Tuesday. He is hitting.256 with two home runs, three doubles and 11 RBI, in 10 games with the Isotopes.

Tuesday's Games

AAA Albuquerque (55-66) lost 9-5 to Tacoma. Jose Fuentes (.316) hit his 11th home run. 

AA Hartford (54-63) won 5-3 at Reading. Sam Hilliard (.273) and Mylz Jones (.261) had RBI doubles in the sixth. Omar Corrizales (.227) was 3-for-5, including a two-run home run, his third of the season, in the eighth. Jesus Tinoco (7-10, 5.03) allowed one run on six hits and a walk, striking out six, in five innings. Reid Humphreys (3.86) earned his third save.

High A Lancaster (30-20 2nd half; 63-58) lost 5-4 against Stockton. Ty Culbreth (5-7, 6.31) allowed five runs on nine hits and a walk, striking out five, in four innings. Colton Welker (.330) was 4-for-4 with a double and two RBI.

Low A Asheville (27-22 2nd half; 54-64) was off.

Short-season A Boise (7-12 2nd half; 28-29) won 9-5 against Salem-Kaiser. Second baseman LJ Hatch (.250) was 3-for-5 with a run scored and two RBI. Eric Hepple (1-0, 2.74) retired two batters in the seventh and was credited with the win. Jeffri Ocando (7.81) allowed five runs, four earned, on six hits and a walk, striking out five, in 6 1/3 innings.

Rookie Grand Junction (11-7 2nd half; 31-25) won 11-4 against Missoula. Jared Skolnicki (3-0, 2.45) worked 3 2/3 shutout innings, allowing one hit, and striking out one. Cayden Hatcher (4.50) started and allowing two runs on two hits and three walks, striking out one, in 2 1/3 innings. Nick Delocati (.313) and Hunter Stovall (.286) both homered in the sixth. 

Dominican Summer League South (20-42) lost 7-1 at the Twins. Victor Azor (1-2, 5.79) allowed three runs, one earned, on three hits and three walks, striking out one, in two innings. Jose Cordova (.297) was 2-for-3 with a double.

Dominican Summer League Northeast (44-18) won 4-1 in a rain-shortened seven inning game against Pirates2. Third baseman Julio (.283) was 2-for-3 with his sixth home run. Carlos Perez (5-0, 2.92) earned the win with two shutout innings, allowing one hit and striking out two. Enrique Castillo (3.78) earned his second save. Helcris Olivarez (2.17) started, and allowed one run on three hits and a walk, striking out seven, in four innings.