When I tell you that a Colorado Rockies farm team is one of the best in their league, your mind probably goes to the 2024 Northwest League champion High-A Spokane Indians. Maybe you think of the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats, who made their first playoff run last season and appear to be on their way to another one.
However, the team I’m referring to is a team you can’t watch unless you go in person. The ACL Rockies of the Arizona Complex League.
The league started as an experimental short-season league called
the Arizona League back in 1988, where the Rockies had their Rookie-level affiliate from 1992 to 2000. In 2021—following the reorganization and contraction of the minor leagues and the elimination of many short-season affiliates—the Arizona League was rebranded to the Arizona Complex League. It’s sister league in Florida, the Gulf Coast League, was rebranded to the Florida Complex League.
Utilizing each Major League Baseball’s spring training homes in their respective states, the Complex Leagues now serve as short-season Rookie-level affiliates for the league’s youngest players. MLB teams also use their ACL affiliates for rehab assignments, performance and mechanical testing, and orientation for their newest draft picks.
Almost every 2025 Rockies draft pick has been assigned to the ACL Rockies to start their professional baseball journey, although none appeared in games before the season ended. Top prospects Brody Brecht (no. 6 PuRP), Sean Sullivan (no. 8 PuRP), Gabriel Hughes (no. 11 PuRP) and Kyle Karros (no. 12 PuRP) all had rehab assignments in Arizona, while Zac Veen (no. 4 PuRP) and Chase Dollander (no. 1 PuRP) were both sent to the Complex for mechanical and performance work.
Unfortunately, this all tends to overshadow the players and the league itself. Most of the time, you are only hearing about the Arizona Complex League in reference to the draft and rehab assignments. The league isn’t particularly marketed by Major League Baseball. It’s not available for streaming, the website is fairly bare-bones, and the only way you can catch a game in action is to be in Arizona and buy a ticket.
Honestly, it’s a shame because the ACL Rockies have been a fun and competitive team in the first five seasons of the league. They’ve made playoff runs in all but one of those five seasons. The lone year the Rockies didn’t make the playoffs in 2024, the Rockies had the league’s MVP instead.
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— Fresno Grizzlies (@FresnoGrizzlies) August 29, 2024
The @Rockies #10 prospect led the ACL in 7 different offensive categories, including the Triple Crown! Read more below! ⚾️ https://t.co/1iIJnFAy40 pic.twitter.com/Cym8PhE0Ui
The ACL Rockies clinched a wild card berth this season after tying the ACL Angels for the second-best record in the league at 37-22. Unfortunately, those same ACL Angels defeated the Rockies in the first round and went on to become the Arizona Complex League champions after toppling the juggernaut 42-17 ACL Giants (San Francisco Giants).
The 2025 ACL Rockies had the league’s third best run differential, the second fewest runs allowed, and finished the season with a .617 winning percentage.
While they weren’t exactly big boppers—finishing with the fewest home runs at 14 total—the ACL Rockies finished with the league’s highest batting average, lowest number of strikeout rates, and the second-best team on-base percentage at the plate. On the mound they had the third-best team ERA at 4.15, the third fewest walks allowed, and the second fewest home runs allowed.
The ACL Rockies’ lineup was anchored by three prospects in Wilder Dalis, Ashley Andujar, and Roldy Brito.
Andujar (no. 22 PuRP) was the headliner for the Rockies’ 2024 international class, signing for $1.7 million out of San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic.
The only member of the trio to be a ranked prospect at no. 22 organizationally per MLB Pipeline, Andujar is a switch-hitting middle infielder with quick feet, a strong arm, and solid plate discipline. He was also the youngest member of the team, having just turned 18-years-old today. Happy Birthday, Ashly!
Andujar hit .319/.370/.356 with seven doubles, 23 RBIs, and 15 walks to 31 strikeouts while playing in 53 games—the second most on the team.
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Photo by David Durochik/Diamond Images via Getty ImagesWilder Dalis, a switch-hitting third baseman from Maracay, Venezuela, was signed as part of the Rockies’ 2023 international class. After an excellent 2024 season with the Dominican Summer League in which he hit .327/.445/.450 and walked more than he struck out, the 18-year-old came stateside this season.
Dalis hit .352/.440/.525 with three home runs, 12 doubles, and five triples this season. He drove in 42 RBIs and walked 29 times to 44 strikeouts while playing in a team-high 56 games.
Wilder Dalis (46) 3B ACL Rockies IFA 2023 VZL #rockiesbaseball #rockies #coloradorockies #losrockies@roxmilbreport @rockies_fanly@PurpleRow @RockiesCensus @RockiesFutures @blakestbanter#ACL #ArizonaComplexLeague pic.twitter.com/ayTciIWMu5
— Phrake Photography (@phrakephoto) May 7, 2025
Rounding out the trio is another member of the 2024 international class. Originally just a middle infielder, Roldy Brito added center field to his skillset this season with strong results. He recorded six outfield assists and posted a .979 fielding percentage.
Brito was one of Baseball America’s top 25 ACL prospects this season thanks to his speed and athleticism, and his solid hit tool and plate approach. At just 18-years-old he also has the potential to grow into additional power.
If you’re a regular reader of the Pebble Report, you’ve seen me talk about Brito before. Despite being unranked in our Purple Row prospect rankings and very briefly being ranked at no. 30 per MLB Pipeline before the Ryan McMahon trade added two new prospects to the top 30, Brito was—in my opinion—the ACL Rockies’ standout player.
In 51 games his first season stateside, Brito led the ACL Rockies in doubles (13), triples (6), stolen bases (22), batting average (.368), on-base percentage (.445), slugging percentage (.555), OPS (1.000) and total bases (101). His three home runs were tied with Wilder Dalis for the team lead.
Brito was also among the league leaders in most offensive categories as well.
Roldy Brito turned heads in the during extended spring training and he's continuing to do so in the ACL.
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) May 30, 2025
He's sixth in the league in batting average (.367) with 22 hits.
He's one of five under-the-radar MLB prospects who are making noise in the desert … pic.twitter.com/ct3bdYohIn
I can only hope that as time passes, the league will start to dedicate more resources to the Arizona Complex League. Being able to stream all four other affiliates for every team has been a game-changer for the minor league baseball experience. Doing the same for the ACL would allow fans to follow even more steps the players take in their baseball journey.
For now, if you find yourself in Arizona next summer, grab yourself a ticket. You won’t be disappointed.
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Weekly Pebble Report: July 22nd-July 28th
Triple-A: Albuquerque Isotopes (3-3, 41-59 Overall)
The Isotopes battled their fellow basement dweller in the Salt Lake Bees (Los Angeles Angels) and emerged with a series split. They came close to a last minute series win on Sunday, but left the tying run at the plate in the top of the ninth.
⬆️ Stock Up: Karros continues to rise to the challenge
Kyle Karros (no. 12 PuRP) enjoyed his first full series in Triple-A, going 8-for-21 and recording a base hit in all five games he appeared in. He drew two walks to six strikeouts and recorded his first home run with the Isotopes in Sunday’s afternoon finale.
⬆️ Stock Up: Bashin’ Braxton
Catcher Braxton Fulford continues to see strong results at the plate with the Isotopes. In four games against the Bees—three of which where he was the starting catcher—he went 5-for-15 with five RBIs, struck out just three times, and drew two walks. Fulford also hit two more home runs during the series, tying him with Keston Hiura at 12 for third-most on the team.
No idea why the Salt Lake Bees keep pitching to Braxton Fulford, but you won't hear us complain!
— Albuquerque Isotopes (@ABQTopes) July 26, 2025
M2: Isotopes 1, Bees 0 pic.twitter.com/1ABwlM4Hq0
Double-A: Hartford Yard Goats (2-3, 50-45 Overall)
The Yard Goats’ series against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Toronto Blue Jays) ended on a somewhat sour note as they lost the two final games played. They were unable to go for the series tie as the Sunday finale was cancelled due to heavy rain in the area.
⬆️ Stock Up: Sullivan remains a strikeout machine
Sean Sullivan (no. 8 PuRP) had the best start of any member of the Yard Goats pitching staff, working 6 2⁄3 innings while giving up just one earned run on five hits. Sullivan pounded the zone for nine strikeouts without issuing a walk, though he did hit one opposing batter.
⬇️ Stock Down: Cooled Down Condon
It was a tough week at the plate for Charlie Condon (no. 2 PuRP), who recorded just one hit—a double—against the Fisher Cats in 19 at-bats while striking out eight times. Condon recorded his fewest hits in a series since since being promoted to Double-A, in addition to the fewest hits in a series of his entire season.
High-A: Spokane Indians (2-4, 45-51 Overall)
The Indians started and capped off their series against the Everett Aqua Sox (Seattle Mariners) with wins, but unfortunately lost the four games in between to drop the series as their quest for .500 remains out of reach for now.
⬆️ Stock Up: That Cat is BIG
Indians lefty Everett Catlett—the 6’7’’ Georgetown product I’ve affectionately dubbed “Big Cat II”—made his High-A debut in the Northwest League after a recent promotion. Catlett pitched a gem, giving up just one earned run on two hits and two walks over seven innings of work. That lone run came via a solo home run in his final frame of work. Catlett struck out ten Aqua Sox batters, a career and season high.
Everett Catlett was absolutely ⚡️ electric ⚡️ in his High-A debut against the AquaSox last night: 7 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 10 K. #GoSpo
— Spokane Indians (@spokaneindians.bsky.social) 2025-07-23T17:09:05.760Z
⬆️ Stock Up: What can Stu do for you?
Indians left-handed pitcher Stu Flesland III had his best start of the season in a game that unfortunately ended with a Spokane loss. Flesland III worked six shutout innings against the Aqua Sox, giving up just two hits and a walk while striking out five batters.
Flesland through five scoreless innings on one hit, one walk and 5 Ks. 66-47. Stu's longest appearance by inning this season. He's given up just one earned run and three hits over his four starts this season.
— Dave Nichols SR (@DNicholsSR) July 27, 2025
Low-A: Fresno Grizzlies (4-2, 47-49 Overall)
A .500 record is well within reach for the Grizzlies after a series win in Modesto against the Nuts (Seattle Mariners) thanks to a strong offensive effort all week. The Grizzlies can hit .500 with a series win against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Los Angeles Dodgers) this week.
⬆️ Stock Up: An Ober the Top performance
25-year-old undrafted free agent Jimmy Obertop out of Clemson is off to a strong start across the Arizona Complex League and Low-A. So far he is hitting .321/.418/.474 with four doubles, a triple, and two home runs. Obertop had an excellent series against the Nuts, going 9-for-21 with two doubles and a home run while driving in seven RBIs and stealing two bases.
OBERTOP WAYYYY OVER THE WALL!
— Fresno Grizzlies (@FresnoGrizzlies) July 28, 2025
Big inning for the Grizzlies to take the lead in the 7th. pic.twitter.com/8ZDLesF88y
⬆️ Stock Up: Clobberin’ Calaz
Put another strong showing for Robert Calaz (no. 5 PuRP) in the books. The 19-year-old outfielder went 8-for-21 against Modesto with both a double and triple, as well as five RBIs. Calaz has been on a tear in July, hitting .329/.395/.571 with three doubles, a triple, and four home runs.
A two hit, two rbi night Robert Calaz #Rockies #GsUp pic.twitter.com/TVKbYrJWYi
— Blake Street Banter ⚾ (@blakestbanter) July 23, 2025
Arizona Complex League: ACL Rockies (1-2, 37-23 Overall). Season Complete.
The ACL Rockies closed the book on their successful season on a sour note, being eliminated by the ACL Angels (Los Angeles Angels) in the first game of the Complex League Playoffs.
⬆️ Stock Up: Who else but Roldy Brito?
A name I’ve placed here many times throughout the short ACL season, Roldy Brito finished his time at the Complex well by going 4-for-10 with two doubles and a stolen base while striking out just twice. Brito is the obvious choice for the Rockies’ ACL MVP, finishing the season with a .366/.441/.548 line with 13 doubles, six triples, three home runs, and 21 RBIs.
The ACL Rockies have made the playoffs. The team was one of the most exciting to watch with a well-balanced lineup featuring Roldy Brito (COL No. 30), Ashly Andujar and Wilder Dalis. Here are some swings below in order: pic.twitter.com/powc7MEhjA
— Jesús Cano (@Jesus_Cano88) July 25, 2025
⬇️ Stock Down: Unemployment might be saying “bienvenidos” to Biembenido.
22-year-old right-handed pitcher Biembenido Brito had a standout season his fourth time through the Complex. Originally a free agent international signing by the Texas Rangers, Brito had never really found success until he joined the Rockies this year. In nine appearances—including seven starts—over 33 1⁄3 innings, Brito posted a career best 2.97 ERA with 38 strikeouts.
Following the end of the Arizona Complex League season, Brito was suspended for 60 games after testing positive for the performance-enhancing substance Stanozolol and the masking agent Hydrochlorothiazide.
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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!
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More from purplerow.com:
- Thursday Rockpile: The Rockies and the quest for the “big hit”
- Wednesday Rockpile: What’s the plan with Orlando Arcia?
- 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
