Blake Street Banter

This week on Blake Street Banter, we're joined by one of the most electric players in the Rockies system, Cole Carrigg. We banter about everything from his straight steal of home and that Oniel Cruz-style cannon from center field, to setting the Hartford Yard Goats single-season stolen base record.We dive into his unique journey—from catching at San Diego State to patrolling the outfield daily, spring training takeaways, and building bonds with top prospects like Charlie Condon and Roc Riggio.He talks plate approach changes, hidden power, and yes, that wild pitching stat line from 2022. Plus: favorite position, go-to road trip snack, and what off-days really look like in the minors.

The Colorado Rockies finally made moves at the 2025 trade deadline — and they were big ones. In this episode of Data Dump, we break down three key trades:

We sit down with Colorado Rockies prospect Aidan Longwell for a wide-ranging conversation that hits everything from his Ohio roots to crushing it at Kent State and adjusting to life in the pros.

Tim Slack, the voice of the Fresno Grizzlies, joins us on The Road to Blake Street to talk about some of the top Rockies prospects making noise in the California League. We dive into the standout seasons of key players, what it's like watching them grow day-to-day, and how the Grizzlies' clubhouse culture helps shape future Rockies. Tim brings a unique behind-the-scenes perspective that Rockies fans won't want to miss.

Blake Street Banter dives into the Colorado Rockies' full 2025 MLB Draft class — all 21 picks. From first-round strategy to late-round sleepers, we break down each selection and what it could mean for the future of the farm system. Who stands out? What positions did the Rockies target? And which names could rise fast through the system? Tune in for our full analysis, scouting insights, and how this draft class fits into the bigger rebuild picture.

In this episode of Blake Street Banter, James and Aaron take a step back and talk honestly about where the Colorado Rockies are as a franchise. It's not just the record — it's the patterns, the lack of direction, and the missed opportunities. The conversation covers everything from roster construction to player development, with a focus on what feels off and what, if anything, gives hope moving forward.A grounded, candid discussion from two fans who care — maybe too much.

In this episode of Data Dump, we dive into Zac Veen's recent AAA surge and what's changed since his rocky big league stint. While the surface stats look promising — a 105 wRC+, improved ISO, and better K/BB rates — his issues with elevated fastballs still raise red flags? We dissect his swing decisions, zone contact rates, and plate discipline to see if this version of Veen is sustainable.Then, it's draft time. We break down two lefty college arms — Jamie Arnold vs. Liam Doyle — and stack up their raw stuff, pitch shapes, and how each might (or might not) translate at Coors. Is Doyle's elite fastball and five-pitch mix worth the risk? Is Arnold's CH/SL combo a safer fit?We wrap with a look at Aiva Arquette, a big-bodied, power-hitting shortstop who might remind Rockies fans of a certain franchise icon. Does the pop and glove profile fit what this org needs?

In this episode of Data Dump, we break down two of the most intriguing Rockies storylines using advanced stats and sharp insight.

In this episode of Banter Sessions, we sit down with Colorado Rockies pitching prospect Bryson Hammer to talk about his wild baseball journey — from redshirting at Clemson, to dominating JUCO hitters at Catawba Valley, to finding his groove at Dallas Baptist University before being selected in the 12th round of the MLB Draft.We also get into his 2024 season, which started in the ACL and has now taken him to Spokane via Fresno — what's behind all the movement, and how has he handled the grind? Plus, we dive into his pitch mix, development philosophy, and the fact that the Rockies had three Hammers in three years — coincidence or conspiracy?

In the first episode of Data Dump, Tyler and Aaron break down the advanced stats behind two Colorado Rockies players: Adael Amador and Carson Palmquist.⚾ Amador's ApproachDespite elite contact rates vs breaking balls and low whiff rates, Amador is striking out more than expected—and making very poor contact. We explore:His sky-high chase rate vs offspeedWhy he might be pressingWhether it's a coaching issue or adjustment period

A fun week of callups and great performances. Louis and Isaac are here to break down everything that has happened in the Rockies prospect world.

This week on Blake Street Banter, we're kicking things off with the Hunter Goodman All-Star Game campaign! Each of us shares a unique stat or fun fact to hype up his impressive 2025 campaign. Can we get the people behind this guy?Then, we dive into a spicy Banter Topic: Is the Rockies' recent win streak… actually bad for the long term? We break down why it might be, especially with veterans carrying the load while key prospects like Toglia, Amador, and Ritter remain out of the spotlight.We follow that up with a "Concern Meter" segment:Are we worried about Chase Dollander after a few rocky outings?What about Brenton Doyle's inconsistency?Is German Márquez still reliable?And who else might be stuck in the middle?--------------------VOTE HUNTER GOODMAN FOR ALL STAR GAME!- https://www.mlb.com/all-star/ballot

In this week's episode, we dive into the latest Colorado Rockies news and transactions — including Michael Toglia's demotion and what it means for the club moving forward. We break down his struggles at the plate, underrated defensive issues (-3 OAA), and whether the Orlando Arcia era makes sense.We also spotlight lefty Carson Palmquist's most recent start — while the box score wasn't pretty, there's more than meets the eye.Then, it's prospect time. Ryan Ritter torched Triple-A in May and earned Rockies Organizational Player of the Month honors after posting a 1.363 OPS. Is the 2022 draft pick forcing his way into the MLB conversation? We highlight top MiLB performances across all levels, from Ritter and Warming Bernabel in Albuquerque to Juan Guerrero's Player of the Week honor in Hartford, and solid outings from Cole Carrigg, Charlie Condon, and Jackson Cox across the system.Whether you're tracking the future of the Rockies or want deeper analysis on players like Carson Palmquist and Ryan Ritter, this episode has it all.

Noah Spirek (@NoahSpirek) breezed into town last week for the Colorado Rockies' seven-game homestand. He had his reporter's notepad and a series of questions and concerns over Warren Schaeffer's club. Did he find the answers he was looking for? Was he happy with those answers?What else has he learned during the first one-third of the 2025 season? Is the old Germán Márquez back? Noah and Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) dig into the organization's philosophy, concern over certain players' struggles and determine if there should be more members of the Denver Broncos, Colorado Avalanche and Denver Nuggets showing up at Coors Field.

MiLB prospects who are rising.

Ryan Ritter and Welinton Herrera receive MiLB rewards Plus, a quick look at the Albuquerque Isotopes, Hartford Yard Goats, Spokane Indians and Fresno Grizzlies

Hard fought game by the Colorado Rockies under new manager Warren Schaeffer produces the same results in Texas despite a near no-hitter by rookie Chase Dollander. What differences in managerial style were noticeable in game one of the Schaeffer era? Will the results actually be different?Colorado is now on pace or 8 wins away from Denver. How far away are they from not breaking another dubious record?Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) and Noah Spirek (@NoahSpirek) discuss the big managerial change in 15 years and hypothesize what might come next for Dick Monfort's club.

2022 10th overall pick joins us top talk about his season so far. Plus, a quick look at the Albuquerque Isotopes, Hartford Yard Goats, Spokane Indians and Fresno Grizzlies

As we approach the quarter-mark of the 2025 season, it's time to start looking ahead for a very competitive National League West.Skyler Timmins and Kenneth Weber of Purple Row dig into upcoming impactful series for each club – including the Arizona Diamondbacks matching up with some of their contemporaries for the first time this year. Could the Snakes be on the verge of a run?They also look at pictures starting to form for each roster in a too early start to the trade deadline season. Is Max Muncy going to cut it for the Dodgers at third base all season? Has the clock struck midnight for LaMonte Wade at first base by the bay? Do the Padres have an answer for LF on the roster and what (if anything) would a contender want to trade for off the Colorado roster?

One awful month down and five more to go for the Colorado Rockies. Was March/April 2025 the worst month on offense in franchise history? Are there any signs of turnaround on the horizon for Colorado?Jordan Beck and Hunter Goodman have led the lineup. Will they continue their success at the plate and be considered the best bats by the end of the season?When's the next reprieve in the schedule? Is it possible life could get worse before it gets better?

We're back with a jam-packed episode! First up, we break down the latest in Rockies MiLB news and transactions:Alan Trejo heads to the bigsLucas Gilbreath lands on the 7-day ILRobert Calaz returns—why he's one of the more intriguing names to watchCondon, Sullivan, Cande, and Hammer report to the ACLThen we highlight our Player of the Month: Gabe Hughes, and give a shoutout to Jared Thomas for a strong stretch.This week's focus is pitching. We dig into key metrics to analyze whether arms like Carson Palmquist are ready to rise, despite not having "nasty" stuff. We look at:How does his performance stack up against names like Dollander and Blalock? We break it down.Lastly, we touch on the Coors Field conundrum—how the physics of altitude impacts pitch movement and what it means for Rockies player development.Plus, a quick look at the Albuquerque Isotopes, Hartford Yard Goats, Spokane Indians and Fresno Grizzlies

The National League West continues to shine aside from a historically bad start from the Colorado Rockies. But as we get deeper into the season, the injuries are starting to pile up around the division.Skyler Timmins and Kenneth Weber of Purple Row dig into the biggest injury impacts for each club. Highlighting those impacted the most and what depth each team has behind them to weather the storm. The Los Angeles Dodgers' envious SP depth is set to be tested with Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow hitting the injured list with shoulder troubles. In the desert, the Arizona Diamondbacks have been without All-Star Ketel Marte but are facing issues of their own on the mound.The San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres have remained relatively healthy so far, but do they have the depth to keep up if the injury bug finds their clubhouse?Then there's the Colorado Rockies. The injuries are significant, but how much of their record is a byproduct of the missing pieces?

Minor League Recap 4-29ABQ 3 - SL 2⭐️ Tanner Gordon: 5.1 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 3 K HAR 7 - BOW 4⭐️ Connor Staine: 4.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 7 KSPO 1 - TC 7⭐️ Cole Messina: 2-4, 2 2BFRE 5 - VIS 0⭐️ Brody Brecht: 4 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 9 K

What are the stats showing us on the Farm? How can AAA player be ready for the MLB action? We look at SO% and BB%, ISO and BABIP and try to make sense of the "advanced" stats that are readily available to us to determine what a player may or may not need to improve to be ready for the next level. There is a clearly something missing from the MiLB to the MLB.

The National League West has been the best division in baseball, by far. The Los Angeles Dodgers have the best record in MLB and the San Diego Padres with Fernando Tatis Jr. looking like an NL MVP are nipping at their heels.Skyler Timmins and Kenneth Weber of Purple Row dig into the biggest surprises for all five clubs out west. Will Japanese superstar Roki Sasaki continue to have struggles? Should anyone be concerned about all the injuries occurring at Dodger Stadium?The San Francisco Giants are doing that thing they did in 2021 when they won the division. Can we believe Jung Ho Lee's breakout? For that matter, is Corbin Carroll back to being a world-beater for the Arizona Diamondbacks after a sophomore slump?Then there's the Colorado Rockies. Is the biggest surprise coming out of Denver that they actually made a coaching change?

The Colorado Rockies need a new game plan after what may be their third consecutive 100-loss season. Have the Kansas City Royals figured out a way to be successful in a smaller market? And should the Rox adopt this strategy?Which fanbase has it worse: Royals fans or Rockies fans? Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) and Noah Spirek (@NoahSpirek) break down the success, failures, Hall of Famers and ballparks between the two clubs. Is it pretty obvious who's had a better life rooting for their hometown nine?Plus, Charlie Condon's Class of 2024 draft-mate has been promoted to the Majors and more Rockies' prospects on the way this season… probably.

This week, we kick things off with a look at the latest news and roster shuffling throughout the Rockies system. We also take a moment to send love and support to Brenton Doyle.

Kris Bryant is on the injured list once again, the ninth time in four seasons with the Colorado Rockies. Will we ever see him in purple pinstripes again? With the offense struggling immensely and a bullpen that could use some more consistency, what options exist at Triple-A Albuquerque? Braxton Fulford was added to the roster to provide a boost; what's his background?Did you know Jackie Robinson has two Hall of Fame plaques? Let's discuss…

The NL West has three of the four teams in Major League Baseball with a .700 winning percentage or better. The Los Angeles Dodgers were expected to be here, but are they in trouble following injuries to Freddie Freeman and Blake Snell?Have the San Francisco Giants found the magic of 2021 when they won the National League West with 107 wins? Did it just take Bob Melvin a year to figure out how to elevate his club? How will the San Diego Padres handle the loss of Jackson Merrill to the 10-day IL?What will the Arizona Diamondbacks do without Ketel Marte? And will Corbin Burnes start to figure things out?Welcome to Best of the West your go-to podcast for everything NL West for Rockies fans! Hosted by Skyler Timmins and Kenneth Weber, we break down the biggest storylines, hottest takes, and season predictions for the Dodgers, Padres, Giants, D-backs, and Rockies.

Chase Dollander makes his Major League debut and Zac Veen gets promoted to the Colorado Rockies on the same day! Is this the turning point for an organization in search of a new identity? And are there more prospects in the pipeline ready to make an impact in 2025?What are the realistic expectations for Dollander and Veen this season? Should either of them catapult into contention for the National League Rookie of the Year Award?

We're back with a full rundown of the latest Colorado Rockies Minor League action! From a high-profile debut to clutch performances across the system, here's what went down this week:

Welcome to Best of the West your go-to podcast for everything NL West for Rockies fans! Hosted by Skyler Timmins and Kenneth Weber, we break down the biggest storylines, hottest takes, and season predictions for the Dodgers, Padres, Giants, D-backs, and Rockies.

The Colorado Rockies scored as many runs (9) as the New York Yankees hit home runs (9) during a game this past week. What's the deal with Torpedo bats? Is the science behind the innovation legit? And, most importantly, is it actually legal?Colorado has been in a winning position all four games this season against the Tampa Bay Rays and Philadelphia Phillies, yet have only one win to show for it. Who is letting down the Rockies? Are they missing that intangible of knowing how to win?Marlins gets a team Hall of Fame and Denver readies for the Coors Field home opener on Friday… so long as it doesn't get rained out.

The Minor League season is here! We're breaking down everything you need to know about the Colorado Rockies farm system heading into opening weekend.

Let's do that baseball: 2025 MLB Season Preview! Focused on all things National League West, Skyler Timmins and Kenneth Weber break down the biggest storylines, hottest takes, and season predictions for the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Arizona Dbacks and Colorado Rockies.In this episode, Best of the West dives into:

The Colorado Rockies will play 162 MLB games during the 2025 season. Beyond that, it's anyone's guess what happens with the likes of Kris Bryant, Brenton Doyle, Ezequiel Tovar, Kyle Freeland and Germán Márquez.Will Bud Black's team lose 100 games again? Is there a Platinum Glove winner on this roster? Will any of their prospects make a push for the National League Rookie of the Year Award?Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) and Noah Spirek (@NoahSpirek) preview and predict exactly everything that will happen - guaranteed! - to the Rockies this season.

Zac Veen is heading to Albuquerque! Plus, the Rockies make another "Nolan" trade—Nolan for Freeman... when will it stop?

A YOUTUBE EXCLUSIVE SHOW. THIS WILL BE THE ONE TIME TO LISTEN AS A PODCAST!!Welcome to Behind the Seams with Josh Rogers, where we dive deep into the game beyond the box score! Former MLB pitcher Josh Rogers takes you inside the minds of players, breaks down key moments, and gives you the real story behind the game.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are officially 2-0 on the 2025 MLB season after sweeping the Chicago Cubs in Japan during the Tokyo Series. But is their Achilles' heel going to be the health of their superstar? Can injuries to Freddie Freeman and Will Smith derail their pursuit of another World Series? When will Clayton Kershaw, Tony Gonsolin, Brusdar Grateral and Michael Kopech return?Skyler Timmins and Kenneth Weber here also dig into the top prospects in the National League West and how they fared after Spring Breakout 2025. Could Dalton Rushing (L.A) and Jordan Lawlar (Arizona Diamondbacks) be sneaky NL Rookie of the Year Award picks? How serious are the setbacks to Charlie Condon (Colorado Rockies) and Bryce Eldridge (San Francisco Giants)?

The Athletic surveyed fans of all 30 MLB clubs and one thing is apparent about fans of the Colorado Rockies: they are not hopeful about 2025. After those in the Rocky Mountain region ranked last place in 2023 and 2024, where do fans of the Rox sit this year? And will exceeding expectations do anything to provide more hope?Plus, the Tokyo Series is off to a roaring start with Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shota Imanaga making Opening Day history as the first all-Japanese matchup to begin the regular season. What's the history of Major League Baseball in Japan? And what's next for MLB going international?

In this episode, we break down the latest Colorado Rockies news, including a tough injury blow for Charlie Condon, who will miss 6+ weeks with a broken wrist. Plus, Zac Veen is still in camp—what does that mean for his chances of making the Opening Day roster? We discuss the odds of him cracking the 26-man squad.Then, we kick off our BSB Top 40 Rockies Prospects Countdown with spots 40-26! Check out our rankings here:

This week on Best of the West, we break down the latest headlines, including Hyeseong Kim's demotion, Michael Grove's season-ending surgery, and why Michael King and Dylan Cease are staying put. Plus, the Giants' San Jose affiliate takes on the Oakland Ballers in an exhibition game to keep the Battle of the Bay spirit alive.Our main topic: Who's on the hot seat? We dive into the job security of front offices and managers across the NL West. With Dave Roberts locking in a four-year extension and Buster Posey stepping into the PoBO role for the Giants, which teams are secure, and which could see major shake-ups?Tune in for all that and more on Best of the West!

George Kirby, Grayson Rodriguez and Gerrit Cole (Tommy John surgery) are down with injuries to start the 2025 season. The Colorado Rockies have been fortunate so far through the first month of Spring Training. Can they count on their luck continuing through the 162-game marathon?Kyle Freeland and Austin Gomber get back on the mound, but will they be ready for Opening Day? Could Bud Black's team begin the year with only four starters? And will Chase Dollander hold one of those spots in the rotation?Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) and Noah Spirek (@NoahSpirek) break down the latest Rockies transactions at Salt River Fields, update on the camp battles and determine if Tyler Kinley can get back to dominance in the bullpen.All that and more on this episode of The Blake Street Banter!

The Colorado Rockies roster for Spring Breakout 2025 is absolutely stacked. OF/3B Charlie Condon, OF Robert Calaz and OF/1B Jared Thomas set to make their first start in the top prospect showcase.- RHP Tyler Burch, former Baltimore Orioles farmhand and current Rockies minor leaguer, joins the Banter Session to discuss being selected in the MiLB phase of the Rule 5 Draft- Spring Breakout Roster Reactions: Who made it, who didn't and how exciting is it to see 17-year-old SS Ashly Andujar

Roki Sasaki looked every bit the favorite in Las Vegas for 2025 Rookie of the Year in the National League. The Los Angeles Dodgers phenom was outstanding on Tuesday night against the Cincinnati Reds, striking out five in three scoreless innings of work.Who else from the NL West can possibly challenge the latest Japanese pitching sensation for the Dodgers? Will teammate Hyeseong Kim steal some attention and, ultimately, votes from Sasaki? Is Jordan Lawlar of the Arizona Diamondbacks really the next best prospect in the division?Could Bryce Eldridge, as a midseason call-up for the San Francisco Giants, do enough in four months to take home the Jackie Robinson Award? Is Tirso Ornelas the San Diego Padres top challenger? Could Drew Romo of the Colorado Rockies have a better shot than any number of rookie relievers like Seth Halvorsen, Jaden Hill and Luis Peralta?

Spring Training is heating up for the Colorado Rockies and so are the roster battles! Chase Dollander, Jordan Beck and Hunter Goodman make their case to earn a spot on the Opening Day roster. Who else is making noise and who's struggling down in the Cactus League?Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) and Noah Spirek (@NoahSpirek) break down the key competitions going on at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, AZ: - Is Chase Dollander forcing his way into the starting rotation? - Can Bradley Blalock find his way into the mix? - Does Drew Romo or Hunter Goodman have the edge for backup catcher? - Will Seth Halvorsen or Victor Vodnik lock down the closer role?Plus, the boys take a look at a series of pitching injuries for Bud Black's staff and what Tony Clark's latest comments mean for MLB's future. All that and more on this episode of Blake Street Banter!

In this episode, we sit down with Brendan Hardy to talk about running a camp back home during the offseason, his free agency experience, and the biggest takeaways from last season. Then, we dive into the latest Rockies news—does Lawrence's DFA open the door for a young arm? We break down the case for Castillo, Agnos, Justice and Chivilli. Plus, Kyle Karros has been on fire at the plate, but could a move to first base be in his future? And with RyMac locked in through 2027, we will discuss if that's too long of a commitment. Tune in for all that and more!

Today the Rockies rolled out a lineup that could be similar, if not the same, as Opening Day lineup. Nolan Jones and Jordan Beck are struggling out the gate, is there concern or the two corner outfielders or can Zac Veen sneak his way into the opening-day roster?Between Jefry Yan and Zac Veen, the Rockies have seen a lot of media attention. How can they stay relevant through the season?

Spring Training is off and running, and we've already got plenty to talk about! Here's what's caught our eye after the first week: