After a year and a half, it's time once again for Minor League Baseball. The pandemic wiped out the 2020 season, and a new agreement with Major League Baseball completely changed the landscape of MiLB as a whole. In Hartford, however, things will look the same.
The Yard Goats will begin the year today (May 4) with a trip to Richmond, with the fourth year at Dunkin' Donuts Park coming on May 11 against Portland. Still the Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, some of the organization's brightest prospects will be in Hartford, with a couple more potentially on the way later in the year.
As you get set for Opening Day, here are some of the notable names you should know on the 2021 Yard Goats:
Elehuris Montero: The highest-ranked Yard Goat to be on the Rockies' 40-man roster, he was one of the key cogs in the deal that sent Nolan Arenado to St. Louis. A 22-year-old infielder, Montero originally signed with the Cardinals as an international free agent in 2014 and is currently ranked as the ninth-best prospect in the Colorado organization, per MLB.com.
The (low-A) Midwest League MVP in 2018, he spent time in Double-A in 2019, but was hampered by injuries. With raw power from the right side, the Dunkin' cup in left field better watch out.
Ryan Rolison: A homegrown talent, Rolison begins his first year of Double-A ball as the Rockies' second-ranked prospect. The left-handed pitcher was the team's first-round pick in 2018 after three years at Ole Miss and has quickly climbed up the prospect rankings. He was a (high-A) California League All-Star in 2019, striking out 118 hitters in 116.2 innings and boasts a full arsenal in his repertoire (fastball, two breaking balls and a change-up). Projecting as a mid-rotation starter in the bigs, his starts could be must-see.
Jameson Hannah: Another new face to the organization, Hannah came to the Colorado system by way of a November trade from Cincinnati, after previously being drafted by Oakland. Still only 23 and with no prior experience above Class-A, the outfielder nonetheless tore it up at spring training with the big club, hitting .357 with six extra base hits (including a home run) in 16 games.
Tommy Doyle: A rare Double-A prospect with Major League experience, the 25-year-old made three appearances with the Rockies last year and will start the year in Hartford. A closer, Doyle has 40 saves in three years at the minor-league level, including a 2019 postseason All-Star season in high-A. A flamethrower, his fastball can touch 98 and generate a lot of swing and misses. In other words: don't leave early to try and beat the traffic.
Michael Toglia: He won't start the season in Hartford, but there's a chance the 22-year-old first basemen gets here later this summer, or at worst 2022. Colorado's No. 3 prospect, Toglia enters his second year of pro ball with High-A Spokane after being drafted in the first round in 2019 out of UCLA. Standing at 6-5 with pop, Toglia projects as a classic power-hitting, run-producing first baseman at the MLB level. MLB.com projects he could debut in the big leagues as early as 2022, meaning his time in Hartford - however short it may be - will come sooner than later.
The same can be said for Spokane's third baseman in Aaron Schunk. The Rockies' second-round pick in 2019 checks in as the fifth-ranked prospect in the organization... and suddenly there's a gaping hole at third base that needs filling with the parent club.