The Rockies are calling up high outfield prospect Jordan Beck for his massive league debut, as first reported by Ben McKee of GoVols 24/7. He’s not on the 40-man roster, so the Rox might want to make a minimum of one corresponding transaction and probably two. Luke Zahlmann of the Denver Gazette studies that fellow outfielder Nolan Jones is probably going headed to the injured listing. Jones has been bothered by a again harm just lately. He returned to the lineup Sunday however exited the sport early on account of continued discomfort. The Rockies are off at present however open a three-game set in Miami tomorrow. McKee writes that Beck is at present touring to Miami to affix the massive league membership.
Beck, 23, was the No. 38 total draft pick of the College of Tennessee in 2022 and entered the season ranked 81st amongst all massive league prospects, per MLB.com. He’s gotten out to a superb begin in Triple-A Albuquerque, hitting .307/.405/.594 with 5 homers, ten doubles, two triples, 5 steals (in 5 makes an attempt), a 14.9% stroll charge and a 19.8% strikeout charge in 121 plate appearances. By measure of wRC+, he’s been 40% higher than league common after weighting for his residence park and league run-scoring surroundings.
It’s a robust displaying for Beck and a very encouraging growth by way of his hit device; he’s posted massive offensive numbers at each degree since being drafted, however he fanned in an alarming 31.8% of his 223 plate appearances in his first style of Double-A final yr. He moved up a rung on the minor league ladder regardless, and a month or so into the 2024 season that appears prefer it was the precise name.
Enchancment to his hit device is important for Beck, as scouting studies have tended to tout his above-average to plus energy and common or higher velocity whereas concurrently expressing considerations about his contact skills. In rating Beck fourth amongst Rox farmhands, Baseball America famous that he has a selected penchant for swinging via velocity on the high of the zone however in any other case tends to make good swing selections, mitigating his contact points on pitches thrown to different areas.
As for the 25-year-old Jones, he’s had a nightmare begin to the 2024 season. In 103 plate appearances, he’s slashing simply .170/.243/.277 with a 36% strikeout charge on the season. Jones impressed with a standout .297/.389/.542 displaying as a rookie final yr, and whereas some extent of regression was all the time truthful to anticipate based mostly on a .401 BABIP and 29.7% strikeout charge, this degree of step again was typically surprising. Jones is definitely making extra contact on pitches inside the zone and chasing off the plate much less usually, however he’s seen his called-strike proportion balloon from 19.9% to 25.3%. His total swing charge is down from 41.5% to 39%, and the extra passive strategy appears to have led to an extra of referred to as strikes placing him behind within the depend.
Assuming Beck does certainly get the decision, it’ll be his first MLB look and it’ll include what ought to be a reputable likelihood to win a long-term position within the outfield. Jones appears to have left area locked down — assuming he can proper the ship as soon as activated — and Brenton Doyle is within the midst of a breakout efficiency in heart area (albeit with some important BABIP assist of his personal, at an unsustainable .446). Nevertheless, proper area continues to be largely up for grabs. Michael Toglia entered the season as the first proper fielder however has since been optioned to Triple-A. Sean Bouchard and Hunter Goodman have each gotten appears there however neither has established himself as an on a regular basis participant. Beck has expertise throughout all three outfield positions although, so he may fill a wide range of roles if he hits effectively sufficient to maintain himself within the massive leagues.
If Beck is within the majors to remain, he’d be on monitor totally free company following the 2030 season and could be arbitration-eligible 4 instances as a Tremendous Two participant, starting within the 2026-27 offseason. Future non-compulsory assignments may alter each trajectories.
