The last year has been a whirlwind for Colorado Rockies third base prospect Kyle Karros (no. 12 PuRP).
From a relatively unknown prospect with big league pedigree as the son of former Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Eric Karros
, Kyle Karros has rocketed up the Rockies’ prospect rankings and found himself in the Rockies’ plans for the next generation of big leaguers.Now a top 20 organizational prospect and one of MLB Pipeline’s top ten third base prospects, Karros has put himself on the map by helping
the High-A Spokane Indians to to their first Northwest League title since 2008.
In addition, he was a post-season Northwest League All-Star, took home minor league baseball’s Gold Glove Award at his position, and earned the accolade of being the Northwest League’s Most Valuable Player for 2024.
“I’m very grateful for it all. I think that’s the first word that comes to mind,” Karros told Evan Lang and Skyler Timmins.
“Just the opportunities I’ve been given in this organization, the belief they’ve shown in me, the teammates I’m surrounded with and the coaches that are around me. I really couldn’t have asked for a better setup and better people to kind of go through this journey with.”
After earning a non-roster invitation to spring training, Karros began the year with the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats. In 55 games with the Yard Goats, he slashed .294/.399/.462 with 17 doubles, two triples, and four home runs, stole seven bases, and drew 32 walks to 45 strikeouts.
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Photo by Ella Hannaford/Minor League BaseballIn Hartford, Karros found himself sharing a lineup with other members of the next potential “core” for Rockies baseball. His teammates included Charlie Condon (no. 2 PuRP), Jared Thomas (no. 14 PuRP), and Cole Carrigg (no. 10 PuRP) with pitchers Sean Sullivan (no. 8 PuRP) and Welinton Herrera (no. 34 PuRP) on the mound.
Karros likened the experience to the Spring Breakout game back in March.
“I always say probably the most fun baseball game I’ve played in this year was that spring breakout game this spring,” Karros said.
“Oftentimes we’re so split up. We’ve got guys in Triple-A, Double-A, some in the show. We never really get to take the field with all the guys that we’re trying to move up the ranks with. So to be on the field and share with all the guys and actually being in a lineup with all of them. That was super fun and gave me lot of optimism and hope.”
He continued, “We all get together off the field, especially during spring training and have a good time. But to actually take the field with all of us, was super cool.”
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Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty ImagesKarros stressed the importance of coming up with this group, both for himself and in baseball as a whole.
“That’s everything for baseball. Just being comfortable taking the field with those guys and being confident in yourself and in them. You know, pulling for them to come through in the big spots that that does that goes a long way in baseball.”
The Rockies promoted Karros to the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes to start the second half following the All-Star break, and he intends to keep the same mindset.
“At the forefront of what I’m looking to accomplish here is to get integrated with this group, blend in to the games that they’re playing, and really earn the confidence and the trust from the players here and the coaching staff,” he explained.
“I think that just makes baseball way easier when you know your team believes in you and your coaches believe in you.”
Like his Hartford teammate Charlie Condon, Karros believes in bringing a winning culture up through the farm system with him. However, he may have his work cut out for him with the Isotopes.
The Albuquerque Isotopes have yet to have a winning season since becoming a Rockies affiliate in 2015 and have made the playoffs just once. They lost 92 games last season and currently have a record of 38-56. The night Karros made his Triple-A debut, the Isotopes lost 15-1 to the Reno Aces. Much like their parent organization, they have struggled to find a winning formula.
“This is the first time I feel like I’m actually like, part of the the Rockies,” Karros admitted.
“I feel like in the in the lower levels of minor league baseball we’re doing our own thing. We’re expecting to win. There’s no like there’s no one looking at us differently because we’re the Rockies. Maybe there is that expectation or that kind of stigma that comes with being an affiliate. But this is the first time I’ve definitely experienced that.”
However, Karros is prepared to tackle this new challenge with the hopes of bringing winning baseball back to Denver in the long term.
“I think that it’s definitely an interesting aspect to navigate. It’s a new kind of vibe. When I was in Spokane, every time we went out there we knew we were the best team in the league. We were expecting to win. Same thing when I was playing in Hartford. Every time we took the field, we were expecting to win. And I think that we can change the kind of expectations and the vibe here [in Albuquerque] and in the next few years in the show.”
You can catch the full interview with Kyle Karros with Evan and Skyler on Rocky Mountain Rooftop.
Recently promoted to AAA we catch up with #Rockies 3B prospect Kyle Karros to chat about his accolades from last season & dive into a desire to bring a winning culture to Colorado! @ffsn.bsky.social buff.ly/tvJmkZB buff.ly/bih6G0R buff.ly/xBLsgyR buff.ly/FtwwAqT
— Rocky Mountain Rooftop (@rockymtnrooftop.bsky.social) 2025-07-21T17:35:03.080Z
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Weekly Pebble Report: July 15th-July 21st
Triple-A: Albuquerque Isotopes (1-2, 38-56 Overall)
The Isotopes returned from the All-Star break with a three game set at home against the Reno Aces (Arizona Diamondbacks). The ‘Topes dropped two of three, including a 15-1 beatdown in the series opener.
⬆️ Stock Up: Can’t take the shine off him.
Sterlin Thompson (no. 15 PuRP) played in two of three against the Aces and turned in two strong offensive performances. Going 2-for-4 each night, Thompson drove in two runs, hit a double and a home run, and struck out just once over eight at-bats.
Sterlin Thompson with a solo shot!
— Albuquerque Isotopes (@ABQTopes) July 20, 2025
B6: GCCB 4, Aces 2 pic.twitter.com/Opu547bUlA
⬇️ Stock Down: He sure felt that...
Right-handed pitcher Ryan Feltner labored in his start against the Aces. He threw 55 pitches while lasting just 1 2⁄3 innings, struggling to find his command and getting punished when pitches were in the strike zone. Feltner gave up six earned runs on four hits—including a home run—and four walks while striking out just two batters.
Double-A: Hartford Yard Goats (2-1, 48-42 Overall)
While I’m sure the Yard Goats wish Kyle Karros were still on their roster, they continued their winning ways against their rival Somerset Patriots (New York Yankees) by taking two of three coming out of the break.
⬆️ Stock Up: Reinforcements!
Utilityman Braylen Wimmer and left-handed pitcher Michael Prosecky (no. 25 PuRP) were promoted to Double-A in the wake of Karros’ departure and both shined in their debuts with Hartford. Wimmer went 4-for-13 in his first three games, including a double. Prosecky pitched five innings in his Double-A debut, giving up just one unearned run and striking out five batters. He allowed just two hits and two walks.
Yard Goats pitcher Michael Prosecky picks up his first career AA strikeout ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/hgqFf2haoh
— Hartford Yard Goats (@GoYardGoats) July 19, 2025
⬆️ Stock Up: Call of Juárez
Young right-handed pitcher Victor Juárez experienced some growing pains early in the season with the Yard Goats as he adjusted to coming out of the bullpen. However, he appears to be finding his rhythm in a relief role. Juárez has gotten his ERA down to 4.56 in 49 1⁄3 innings of work during his first season with Hartford. Against the Patriots, he pitched a flawless three innings of relief without allowing a baserunner and notched four strikeouts.
High-A: Spokane Indians (2-1, 43-47 Overall)
The Indians continue to push for .500 in the second half, helped by a series victory against the Vancouver Canadians (Toronto Blue Jays). 6’7’’ pitcher Everett Catlett was promoted to Spokane and will likely make his High-A debut this coming series.
⬆️ Stock Up: Not a scratch nor a Denton.
Indians reliever Cade Denton earned back-to-back saves in both Indians victories over the Canadians without giving up an earned run. Denton struck out three batters across the two innings of work and now has six saves on the season.
Cade Denton worked out of a ninth-inning jam to pick up his sixth save of the season on Sunday, July 20th. To find out how you can save, visit myavista.com. #GoSpo
— Spokane Indians (@spokaneindians.bsky.social) 2025-07-22T16:25:15.594Z
⬇️ Stock Down: A bit Messina
Catcher Cole Messina (no. 27 PuRP) went just 2-for-10 against the Canadians, though he did draw two walks and steal two bases. Messina has shown he can be a solid hitter at this level, but the hits definitely come in waves.
Low-A: Fresno Grizzlies (2-1, 43-47 Overall)
Also pushing for .500, the Grizzlies came out strong against the Stockton Ports (Sacramento Athletics). The held the Ports hitless through six innings in the second game of the series and shut them out entirely in the third.
⬆️ Stock Up: One-Man Brechting Crew
Brody Brecht (no. 6 PuRP) made his return to the Grizzlies roster from the injured list and celebrated with an excellent outing. Brecht pitched three hitless, scoreless innings and struck out fie of the nine batters he faced.
⬆️ Stock Up: Cox Rox
Jackson Cox (no. 26 PuRP) continues to find his footing in his post-Tommy John surgery career and may soon find himself promoted to High-A if he can continue to pitch well. Cox pitched his second consecutive five inning start against the Ports without giving up a run and striking out three batters.
Arizona Complex League: ACL Rockies (3-2, 36-22 Overall)
As we enter the final week of the regular short season in the Complex, the ACL Rockies have clinched a playoff spot! The postseason begins on July 26th.
⬆️ Stock Up: On the mend.
Gabriel Hughes (no. 11 PuRP) made his first rehab start since being placed on the injured list on June 19th with a shoulder impingement. Hughes worked 2 2⁄3 scoreless frames and struck out five batters.
⬆️ Stock Up: Emener may be imminent.
Left-handed pitcher Austin Emener was one of the fun stories of the 2024 season, making 12 starts with the Low-A Fresno Grizzlies with 67 strikeouts over 60 innings. Emener unfortunately ended up losing the rest of his season to Tommy John surgery. Now on a rehab stint with the ACL Rockies, he pitched for the first time since June 27th of last year. Emener worked a scoreless inning against the ACL Giants (San Francisco Giants) and struck out two batters.
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Prospect of the Week!
Who do you think should be named the Purple Row Prospect of the Week? You can vote here in the comments section or on any of our social media posts!
It was a short week in MiLB, but that still didn’t stop these prospects from showing out. Who is this week’s Purple Row Prospect of the Week? Vote in the comments below!
— Purple Row (@purplerow.bsky.social) 2025-07-22T17:13:48.558Z
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- Colorado Rockies minor league game thread: May 29th, 2025
- Friday Rockpile: Leadoff hitters are pivotal for Rockies wins
- Cubs 2, Rockies 1: Still a loss, but closer
- Weekly Pebble Report: Charlie Condon is focused on the present and looking towards the future (May 20th-May 26th)
- Colorado Rockies game no. 56 thread: Tanner Gordon vs. Matthew Boyd
