Blake Street Banter

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:

We are four games into Spring Training and the oldheads are already upset. Zac Veen bat flips after crushing a homer. Should the baseball world be upset? Chase Dollander, Bradley Blalock are fighting for a rotation spot. How are each making their case after 2 IP of work? We've had Zac Veen and Jordan Beck slotted in as the RF and RF next up, but Yanquiel Fernandez is making his case!

Spring Training is heating up, and camp battles are in full swing! This week on Best of the West, we break down the key position fights across the NL West.Arizona Diamondbacks: Will they roll with a six-man rotation, or is someone headed to the bullpen? Plus, a battle for the closer role between Justin Martinez and AJ Puk.Colorado Rockies: Who locks down the ninth inning—Tyler Kinley or Seth Halvorsen? Can Drew Romo hold off Hunter Goodman behind the plate? And what about right field—Jordan Beck, Zac Veen, Yanquiel Fernandez, or a mystery veteran?Los Angeles Dodgers: Is Roki Sasaki making the Opening Day roster? Who takes the closer job—Kirby Yates or Tanner Scott? And in left field, do the Dodgers go lefty (Michael Conforto) or righty (Andy Pages)?San Diego Padres: The DH spot is up for grabs, with Eguy Rosario, Tirso Ornelas, and maybe a surprise contender all in the mix.San Francisco Giants: Tyler Fitzgerald vs. Marco Luciano—who wins the second base job?We've got the latest updates, bold predictions, and plenty of banter. Tune in and get ready for another season of NL West chaos!

The Colorado Rockies held their first full-team workout of Spring Training at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Arizona. Manager Bud Black addressed a clubhouse looking to avoid their third consecutive 100-loss season.Noah Spirek and Patrick Lyons discuss the battles that are taking shape in Rockies Camp. Jordan Beck, Zac Veen and Yanquiel Fernandez look to push the envelope for the available OF spot. Does Chase Dollander have a case to make the Starting Rotation out of camp? Can Carson Palmquist solidify a role as a long reliever this Spring?

Chase Dollander, Carson Palmquist and Zac Veen are on everyone's list to crack the big league squad at the end of Spring Training. But what about the other non-roster invitees that are in camp? What other storylines are there to watch in camp -- how close is Adael Amador? What is Ryan Ritter's future.We dive in to the Colorado Rockies prospects every Monday!

Spring Training is here! And Shohei Ohtani is back on the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Japanese two-way superstar is expected to pitch again in 2025, but will we see his return during the Tokyo Series? Could he become a reliever or closer as he recovers from Tommy John surgery? As all 30 clubs in Major League Baseball report to Arizona and Florida, several questions loom large in the National League West. One of three divisions to have all five teams in the same place - and the only one in the Cactus League - there's plenty to watch for over the next six weeks.How badly do the San Francisco Giants need Jung Hoo Lee to stay healthy and lead their offense? Are the Arizona Diamondbacks really going to keep Jordan Montgomery and go with a six-man rotation?Kris Bryant is also set to return for the Colorado Rockies. Can we really believe he'll spend any time in the outfield after three injury-plagued seasons? Is this actually a bad idea all-around? And will we see the San Diego Padres make a flurry of moves like last year just ahead of Opening Day 2025?

We dive into the big news around Coors Field - Brenton Doyle extension and there is a plan on how to use Kris Bryant in 2025! Shold the Rox extend BD in his age 27 season? Depends on which numbers and comparisons you look at but there is a case.Kris Bryant and Jordan Beck will likely split time at DH and RF, why?

A.J. Preller and the San Diego Padres have had one of the quietest offseason in all of Major League Baseball... excluding the lawsuit between Sheel Seidler and the Seidler Brothers. Does any team in the National League West even have one bad transaction as awful as the Friar's winter? Los Angeles signed arguably the three or four best free agents in Roki Sasaki, Blake Snell, Tanner Scott and Teoscar Hernández. Were the Dodgers trades to acquire international bonus pool money and the Gavin Lux swap with the Cincinnati Reds better than any the Colorado Rockies achieved? Plus, Arizona Diamondbacks signed an ace in Corbin Burnes and the San Francisco Giants signed a future Hall of Famer in Justin Verlander. Include the Willy Adames deal and can it be argued that the Giants had the best offseason in the division?

Dick Monfort loves the potential of this years Rockies defense, but is that all that there is to be excited about? Spring training is just around the corner and the Rockies have released their Non-Roster Invites. Is there a chance that one or two of the players break camp with the Colorado Rockies? How much longer will we have to wait to see Veen or Dollander in purple? Do the Rockies have an optics problem? Our banter will dive deeper into how the Rockies front office is making decisions and how the fans are reacting.

MLB Pipeline and Baseball America drop their top 100 prospects lists for Major League Baseball in 2025. The Los Angeles Dodgers - no surprise - lead the National League West with six players headlined by Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki. Did the Dodgers exert some advantage to get these talented minor leaguers? And how much of an edge do they have compared to the rest of the NL West? Are the San Diego Padres duo of Ethan Salas and Leodalis De Vries a better bet than the Colorado Rockies tandem of Chase Dollander and Charlie Condon? Should fans of the San Francisco Giants (Bryce Eldridge) and Arizona Diamondbacks (Jordan Lawler) be worried their team has only one notable addition to these lists?

An interview with Colorado Rockies pitching prospect, Chase Dollander. Dollander is currently ranked in the Top 30 of MLB.com's Top 100 and is expected to make his MLB Debut sometime in 2025. The former Tennessee Volunteer discusses his offseason work, how his arsenal has changed and his opportunity to make the Opening Day roster following his Spring Training invitation. He'll also share about his experience at Rockies Fest this past weekend and respond to the high praise of Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon. Dollander also talks about his favorite experiences from 2024 from the first ever Spring Breakout, MLB Futures Game and his pro debut with High-A Spokane.

In this episode, we dive into the biggest MLB offseason questions, starting with the Los Angeles Dodgers. If the consensus was always Dodgers, what was the point of trade discussions? Does this Roki Sasaki crack the Opening Day roster, and how will LA deploy him to maximize their chances? We also debate the Dodgers' World Series odds: Are they truly the best on paper, or does the field of 29 other teams have the edge in a playoff gauntlet? History suggests it's not so simple—only six teams since 2000 with the best regular-season record have claimed the title. Shifting gears, we look at how teams like the Padres, Giants, and Diamondbacks should strategize their baseball operations with the Dodgers looming over the NL West. Plus, we break down free-agent fits for the division, including intriguing names like Nick Pivetta, Jack Flaherty, and Max Scherzer. And of course, we touch on the futures of Clayton Kershaw and Andrew Heaney. Don't miss this jam-packed episode full of hot takes, smart analysis, and the latest buzz around MLB's most competitive division! (Thumbnail photo credit Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Join us for a banter session with Austin Emener, a Colorado Rockies pitching prospect with an intriguing journey to professional baseball! From Georgia to the big leagues, Austin shares his experiences pitching for North Alabama and East Tennessee State before being drafted in the 16th round of the 2023 MLB Draft. We also chat about his mindset, his path to the Rockies organization, and what he's working on to take his game to the next level. Austin's IG: https://www.instagram.com/austinemener/

Roki Sasaki is ready to make his choice. Will it be the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres or Toronto Blue Jays? Are there any indicators as to who he'll choose? And did anything unusual happen on International Signing Day to suggest who it will be? Four big name players who rejected a qualifying offer are still free agents: Pete Alonso, Alex Bregman, Anthony Santander and Nick Pivetta. Do they have a fit with any team in the National League West? Plus, numerous other big names -- Max Scherzer, Tanner Scott, Clayton Kershaw and Jack Flaherty -- are still available. Could the San Francisco Giants or Arizona Diamondbacks have another trick up their sleeve? And might the Colorado Rockies bring back a familiar face for one more go-round in Denver?

Join us as we dive into the Colorado Rockies' potential shift to a six-man pitching rotation and what it could mean for their 2024 season. With Kyle Freeland leading the charge, we explore the historical trends across MLB, the team's past considerations for a six-man setup, and the challenges posed by their current rotation and bullpen. Can a revamped approach help elevate the Rockies from their struggles in starting and relief pitching (ranked 27th and 28th in 2023, respectively)? How would this impact the "Arm Barn" and players like Austin Gomber, Ryan Feltner, and Germán Márquez? https://www.denverpost.com/2022/07/18/rockies-considering-six-man-rotation/