Just over two weeks after having an emergency appendectomy, Pomeranz pitched three perfect innings yesterday for the Tulsa Drillers, the Rockies' Double-A affiliate. He will join the Rockies in Denver today, along with several other prospects.
Pomeranz blasted through seven innings in his debut with Tulsa, yielding only two hits and allowing no runs. Days later, he underwent an emergency appendectomy, seemingly ending his season.
But he was back on the hill yesterday, throwing three perfect innings and striking out three in the Drillers' final game of the season. Perfect is pretty much all the big Mississippi native has been since joining the Rockies' organization. Albeit in a minuscule sample size, Pomeranz has given up zero runs in nine of his ten innings for Tulsa. He's struck out seven batters and walked no one. In his 101 minor-league innings this year, he owns a 1.78 ERA.
Rockies manager Jim Tracy said Pomeranz will not be activated until he is ready to make his major-league debut later this month.
Pomeranz wasn't the only player to hear good news yesterday. The Rockies also called up catcher Wilin Rosario, relief pitcher Jim Miller, catcher/infielder Jordan Pacheco and infielder Chris Nelson, who's already seen time in the majors this year. For his part, Pacheco should get a look at third base, which has been a position contaminated with suck all year for the Rockies.
Rosario is easily the best prospect on the list. He was named the 41st best prospect in the minors by MLB.com earlier this year. As much as the Rockies have to love Chris Ianetta and his career .235 batting average, the hope is that the new guy will replace him. Rosario hit 21 home runs this year, but his batting average and OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) fell from last season.
With the Rockies out of playoff contention, these prospects should get a chance to prove they won't embarrass themselves on the big stage. But Tracy has said he doesn't put too much stock into play by September call-ups.
From the "good enough" department, Alex White, the other prized pitcher from the Jimenez trade, got his first win as a Rockie Saturday night. He pitched five innings, gave up four runs and struck out six before the bullpen held on for a 5-4 win over the San Diego Padres.
And this is what the Rockies' season has become -- Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez finally hitting the shit out of the ball at the same time, but only after playoff contention left, making room for the young kids to come and play.
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