The Rockies are expected to call up outfielder Brenton Doyle from Triple-A Albuquerque prior to Monday’s game with the Guardians, according to Blake Street Banter (Twitter link). Doyle is already on Colorado’s 40-man roster, so the Rockies will have to just make one corresponding move tomorrow to create space for Doyle on the 26-man active roster.
This will be the first trip to the big leagues for the 24-year-old Doyle, who was a fourth-round selection for the Rockies in the 2019 draft. The Rox added him to their 40-man roster in advance of last winter’s Rule 5 Draft, wanting to protect the outfielder in the wake of a solid 2022 season that saw him hit .256/.300/.473 with 26 home runs and 23 steals (in 26 chances) over 548 combined plate appearances at Double-A and Triple-A. Only 41 of those PA came at the Triple-A level in 2022, but Doyle has looked great in a slightly longer audition in Albuquerque this year, as he has mashed his way to a .306/.404/.633 slash line over 57 PA.
MLB Pipeline ranks Doyle as the 16th-best prospect in Colorado’s minor league system, while Baseball America ranks him 21st amongst Rockies farmhands. Given plus grades for his defense and throwing arm, Doyle is already big league-capable from a glovework standpoint, able to play center field or (owing to his strong arm) right field. He also has plus speed, which has translated to success on the basepaths, and some raw power that has led to his power numbers.
Plate discipline is an ongoing question, as Doyle’s strikeout rates have been higher than 30% at each level beyond rookie ball. Pipeline’s scouting report did note that Doyle made a bit more contact after making some adjustments last season, indicating that Doyle might still be able to reach another level as a hitter.
The Rockies will see if Doyle can unlock some of that potential in the majors, but the fact that the Rox are calling up an outfielder might related to a pair of injury concerns. Kris Bryant left Saturday’s game after feeling pain in his sacroiliac joint, while Yonathan Daza left today’s game after being hit in the hand by a Zack Wheeler fastball. X-rays were negative on Daza and other players are day-to-day for now, but either a 10-day injured list placement could be coming Monday or Colorado might just be adding Doyle as outfield depth since neither Bryant or Daza may be available to face the Guardians.
With Randal Grichuk due back in a week or so, Doyle’s promotion seems tied to an IL stint.
Could be sending down Montero to get playing time and hopefully improvement at third base defense.
Too bad Montfort can’t get sent down.
Good power/speed combo…I wonder if he’s Irish?
Go get em kid
Whether it’s a brief 10-day cameo or a longer stint, kudos to the West Virginia kid for attaining his lifetime dream: To wit, he’s now a MLB player.
Rox are going nowhere this year, so might as well see if Doyle can play at this level. His speed will certainly be an asset in cavernous Coors outfield. The pop is legit. However, like a lot of prospects who offer power, swing-and-miss issues abound.
The Eastern League is a pitcher’s league, but Doyle still put up impressive numbers there. Enthusiasm about his PCL numbers need to be tempered., and by now, we all know why.
I say play him until he proves he doesn’t belong. Diaz, Grichuk and Blackmon are not in our future plans. All three might be wearing a different uniform by season’s end. Like it or not, we’re stuck with Bryant and his numerous ailments that show up every year.
Play the kids and see what each one has. Come trade deadline, or preferably sooner, get rid of the dead wood for more kids.
JMHO, but I don’t see the Rox competing for a playoff spot for at least five years. Thus, what have we got to lose by playing and sticking with the kids?
Looks like RH Florial.
Name kinda reminds me of “Tungsten Arm” O’Doyle