Potential Candidates for Rockies September Call-Ups

Candidates for Rockies September Call-Ups

Zac Veen Time Part Two?

Since being drafted ninth overall in the 2020 MLB Draft, left-handed hitting outfielder Zac Veen was one of the most highly anticipated prospects in Rockies’ history. But numerous injuries delayed his development until Veen finally made his long-awaited debut earlier this season. That happened on April 8 against the Milwaukee Brewers. He had a very solid spring training for the Rockies, but his offensive success did not translate to the majors.

He got his first career hit in his debut, but struggled mightily at the plate overall. In 10 games with the Rockies, Veen hit just .118 with 14 strikeouts in 34 at-bats. Following a 0-for-4 outing against the Washington Nationals on April 20, Veen was promptly sent down for further development. He has not been recalled since. But he did not sulk, put his head down, and has put together a very strong season with Triple-A Albuquerque.

Over 315 at-bats, Veen is hitting .295/.362/.489 with an excellent .851 OPS. He has been one of the top producers for the Isotopes with 26 extra-base hits, 10 home runs, and 49 RBI. There is still a very high ceiling for the 23-year-old outfielder. There is no doubt that the beginning of the season did not go as Veen envisioned. But if his strong play can earn him another shot in the majors before the 2025 season comes to a close, it will be a great way for Veen to end his first season reaching the Majors on a high note.

Sterlin Thompson, Outfielder

Another outfielder who has had a stellar season with Albuquerque is 24-year-old left-handed hitter Sterlin Thompson. Thompson was drafted 31st overall in the 2022 MLB Draft out of the University of Florida. The Rockies took him with his offensive potential in mind. That potential has shown up this season. In 103 games with Albuquerque, he has hit .292/.338/.512 with a .900 OPS.

Like Veen, Thompson has also been an excellent producer for the Isotopes. He has 33 extra-base hits, 14 home runs, and 54 RBI in 377 at-bats. Thompson has also shown solid plate discipline, striking out just 25% of the time. Defensively, he has seen time in the infield, but has settled in as a left fielder this season. It will be a special moment when Thompson gets the call from the Rockies, as he was born in Longmont, Colorado.

Mickey Moniak and Jordan Beck have had excellent seasons manning the corner outfield spots for the Rockies. But it seems like a safe bet that either Thompson or Veen will be one of the Rockies’ September call-ups. Both players have swung the bat very well this season and earned an opportunity. Even if they are not able to see the field, both players have seen time at DH this season. It is also worth noting that MLB Pipeline is now projecting Thompson to debut this season, and he has yet to appear in the majors. As a bat-first prospect, it would make a lot of sense if the Rockies gave Thompson the final month of the season to try and successfully translate his offense from Albuquerque to Coors Field.

Gabriel Hughes, RHP

The Rockies drafted Gabriel Hughes, now 24, 10th overall in the first round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of the University of Gonzaga. Hughes reached Double-A in 2023, but was shut down that July and required Tommy John surgery. However, he recovered in time to record six starts in the Arizona Fall League in 2024, still showing the same stuff that he possessed pre-injury. This season, he has split time between Double-A Hartford and Triple-A Albuquerque.

In nine games with Hartford, Hughes held opposing lineups to just a .184 average and posted an impressive 0.854 WHIP. He also had a solid 7.68 K/9 paired with a 1.76 BB/9, earning himself a promotion to Triple-A after 41 IP with Hartford. The Pacific Coast League that Albuquerque plays in is very hitter-friendly, so pitching stats have to be taken with that in mind. Nevertheless, it is good preparation for pitchers who will need to pitch at Coors Field in their future.

In 41 1/3 IP with the Isotopes, Hughes’ ERA ballooned to 6.31 and his WHIP to 1.742. Opposing hitters are hitting .307 against him in Triple-A. He has still maintained a 6.75 K/9, but he has a less-than-ideal 4.57 BB/9. However, there is notable progress for Hughes. In three of his last four starts, he has allowed two or fewer earned runs. The most impressive start yet came against the Sugar Land Skeeters on August 26. Hughes achieved six IP in Triple-A for the first time, holding the Skeeters to just three hits and one earned run with five strikeouts to two walks.

Hughes’ Opportunity is Now?

In an interview with MLB.com’s Thomas Harding, Hughes talked about the progress he has made with his pitch mix. It includes a two-seam and four-seam fastball in the 91-93 mph range with a changeup and curveball to supplement.

“I’m just getting a better idea for how to read swings, how to see how a hitter reacts to a certain pitch, and then base the next pitch I throw off that, instead of just relying on a fastball by guys and trying to go slider or curveball in the dirt for a chase,” Hughes said. “I’ve become a much more complete pitcher instead of just a thrower.”

Perhaps the Rockies will decide to keep Hughes in Triple-A and hope he continues his upward trajectory. This move would make sense. If Hughes continues to excel at Triple-A, it would be a great jumping-off point into the offseason. But it would undeniably be intriguing if the Rockies decide to give Hughes his first opportunity this September.

Hughes has made noticeable progress in a notorious hitter’s haven in the last month. He still has to work on limiting walks, which will always come back to haunt a pitcher at Coors Field. But the Rockies have already embraced a youth movement all around the roster. Why not let Hughes join fellow youngsters Tanner Gordon and McCade Brown in the starting rotation? Kyle Freeland and Germán Márquez are two of the few veterans remaining on the Rockies’ roster. Márquez recently returned from the injured list and had one of his worst starts of the season against the Chicago Cubs, allowing eight earned runs in 4 1/3 IP.

Márquez is also in his age-30 season and an impending free agent. It does no good for the 38-98 Rockies to give him another start. Why not continue with the youth movement? Use one of the extra roster spots on one of your top pitching prospects and see how he performs in his first taste of major league action. There is nothing to lose in doing so. The Rockies already possess the worst starting rotation in the majors. Give Hughes his opportunity to get crucial development instead of a veteran starter who would simply be playing out the season for Colorado.

Crucial Development Opportunities in the Final Stretch

September call-ups can be crucial for depth on contending teams gearing up for a run in the final month of the season, but for teams already out of contention, like the Rockies, it is an opportunity for more development of their younger players. Besides playing for pride and being a pesky spoiler to contenders, that’s the main thing the Rockies can get out of this season.

It has been an exciting season for Rockies prospects. Warming Bernabel, Kyle Karros, and Chase Dollander, among others, have all had special moments in a very tough season in Colorado. It will be intriguing to see which two prospects will be next as the final month of the season approaches.