Pitcher Hunter Mann, catcher Jack O'Dowd among Colorado Rockies minor leaguers that will take part in fall baseball in the Valley of the Sun.
Once this 2026 MLB season wraps up for minor-league teams in the Colorado Rockies' franchise, that doesn't mean the season is over for a few players.
Eight Rockies players in the organization will go and play in the Arizona Fall League. They will be part of the Salt River Rafters, which will play at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. That's the Spring Training home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, who also will have players on the Rafters.
Pitcher Sean Sullivan, who is currently on the Rockies' 40-man roster, is a Top 30 organizational prospect and Top 10 overall prospect, will lead a contingent of pitchers from Colorado. Other Rockies pitchers playing for the Rafters include Hunter Mann, Konnor Eaton, Stu Feisland III, and Field Ulloa, who all played at Double-A Hartford this season.
Catcher Jack O'Dowd, who joins his other Hartford teammates in playing for the Rafters in the Arizona Fall League, looks to work on his game behind the plate. Infielder Andy Perez, another Top 30 organizational prospect, played for Hartford, too. The Cuban native also has a chance to brush up on his infield play and at-bats.
Outfielder Jared Thomas, yet another Top 30 organizational prospect, also played at Hartford this season.
Besides the Rafters, other Arizona Fall League teams include the Glendale Desert Dogs, Peoria Javelinas, Mesa Solar Sox, Scottsdale Scorpions, and Surprise Saguaros.
Arizona Fall League play officially opens on Saturday, Oct. 3. The Rafters and Desert Dogs get play underway from Glendale, Ariz. There will be plenty of top MLB prospects to see play among these teams. So, if you live in the Greater Phoenix metropolitan area, then fall baseball is just around the corner.
Can Rockies avoid 100 losses?
It's not looking too good right now if Colorado wants to avoid a fourth consecutive 100-loss season. The Rockies need to go 8-4 over their last 12 games to avoid that mark.
Games like Monday night's tough 8-7 defeat to the San Diego Padres at Coors Field extended the Rockies' current losing streak to eight games. Once again, a Colorado starting pitcher, this time it was Tomoyuki Sugano, was not able to provide a long start.
There have been plenty of chances where Rockies players have shown grit and determination, both at the plate and in the field. Colorado, though, has to stop the losing soon or that 100-loss season will become a reality.
Helton statue ceremony set
Legendary Rockies player and Baseball Hall of Fame legend Todd Helton will have his statue unveiled outside Coors Field on Saturday, Sept. 19, at the corner of 20th St. and Blake St.
Helton, Rockies president Walker Monfort, and sculptors George and Mark Lundeen will be present. Helton played all 17 MLB seasons for the Rockies from 1997-2013.
Helton was a five-time All-Star, too.
