Farm Report: Former No. 1 Ryan Rolison Continues to Open Eyes
Ryan Rolison, the Rockies first-round draft choice in 2018, was under consideration for a spot in the Rockies rotation during the spring. But with only one full season in pro ball under his belt — he was sidelined a year ago when COVID forced cancellation of the minor league seasons — the Rockies took a cautious approach for 2021.
Rolison, however, is making sure he isn’t forgotten. The lefthander out of the University of Mississippi set the tone for Double-A Hartford’s 5-1 victory against Red Sox affiliate Portland on Saturday night, allowing one run in 5 2/3 innings. Rolison improved to 2-1 with a 3.07 ERA. The lefthander has struck out 20 in 14 2/3 innings.
Hartford’s offense gave Rolison a boost in the third inning with a three-run rally with RBIs coming on a Matt McLaughlin ground out, Max George sacrifice fly and Matt Hearn single.
In other Saturday Games
AAA Albuquerque (1-8) lost 2-0 at Arizona affiliate El Paso despite a strong effort by Kyle Freeland, who allowed one run in four innings of his first rehab assignment. Freeland is expected to start again on Thursday after which the Rockies will re-evaluate his potential activation at the big-league level. The Isotopes only had five base runners. Ryan Vilade, Brendan Rodgers and Greg Bird all singld, and Vilade and Jose Gomez drew walks. Rodgers is 3-for-6 in his first two starts of his rehab assignment.
High A Spokane (2-9) lost 4-2 against Blue Jays affiliate Vancouver, which is playing home games in Hillsboro, Ore., because of COVID restrictions in Canada. Willie MacIver (.147) hit his first home run of the season and Michael Toglia picked up his 10th RBI, despite a .171 batting average, by bringing home Brenton Doyle (.278) who had tripled. Helcris Olivarez (0-3, 6.23) gave up four runs on six hits in five innings.
Low A Fresno (8-3) maintained its share of first place in the Low A West North Division with a 14-4 victory against Visalia. Joe Aeilts got it started with a two-run home run in the first, and Zac Veen went 2-for-3 with a bases loaded walk, picking up three RBI. Robinson Hernandez (1-0) picked up the win with two shutout innings of relief in which he walked one and struck out three.