When the Colorado Rockies selected right-handed pitcher Cade Denton (No. 42 PuRP) in the sixth round of the 2023 draft, MLB Pipeline considered him one of the best pure relievers available.
The hard-throwing righty had just helped his Oral Roberts Golden Eagles go deep in the 2023 College World Series by posting a 1.83 ERA over 35 appearances and carried a 12.1 SO/9 over 64 innings of work. You might have overlooked both Denton and Oral Roberts as that was the season Paul Skenes took Louisiana State
all the way, but the Rockies didn’t, signing him for above slot value and quickly assigning him to their farm system.
He made eight appearances that season: four with the Arizona Complex League following the draft and four with the Low-A Fresno Grizzlies to end the season.
However, Denton seemed to largely fly under the radar during his minor league career and hasn’t been ranked among the organization’s top prospects despite solid results. He spent most of the 2024 season with the Grizzlies, posting a 2.86 ERA in 26 relief appearances, but struck out just 23 batters in 28.1 innings.
Following a late-season promotion to the High-A Spokane Indians, Denton made an additional five appearances. However, he struck out just three batters and had a 7.36 ERA over 7.1 innings.
Denton was assigned again to Spokane for the 2025 season, where he found his footing. A workhorse reliever for the Indians, Denton made 42 appearances and posted a 3.73 ERA with 63 strikeouts over 50.2 innings. He also tallied seven saves. He did struggle somewhat with his command, issuing career high 20 walks for a 3.6 BB/9—a career high tying his metric during his initial four-game stint in Fresno. He also gave up a career high eight home runs.
The potential initially seen in Denton was still there, though. He was invited to participate with the Rockies’ delegation on the Salt River Rafters for the Arizona Fall League.
Once there, Denton quickly stood out. He struck out 18 batters and walked only four over 13 innings of work for the Salt River Rafters. He did allow five earned runs, but all five came in one bad inning that included a grand slam on October 16th. Denton finished the Fall League with a 3.46 ERA due to his combined efforts outside of that outing.
An important part of Denton’s success in Arizona was finding rhythm with his fastball. Delivering out of a low arm slot, Denton’s fastball rides upwards and is at its best when he places it at the top rail with higher velocity—maxing out around 96 MPH. Denton had lost velocity on the pitch in 2024, but during the Fall League, he had regained the velocity and control.
“During the Fall League I finally got [the fastball] to the top of the zone where I wanted it to be. It’s not a four-seam carry fastball, but pitching coaches prior [had said] that it’s a deceptive arm slot,” Denton explained of his success. “So just trying to get that ball to the top of the zone to get whiffs, just trying to keep emphasizing filling up the zone, filling up the top of the zone with the fastball and everything else will keep working the way that it’s supposed to.”
Denton was not only named to the Arizona Fall League “Fall Stars” All-Star Team for his efforts, but he was also named to the All-Arizona Fall League team and took home honors as the Arizona Fall League Reliever of the Year.
“That was really cool,” Denton said. “After a rough second outing—I think it was—in the Fall League where you go out there and you give up a grand slam. You’re like ‘yeah, pitch [well] the rest of the Fall League, put your name out there.’ [I] didn’t expect to be reliever of the year. There was quite a few guys that that I think were also deserving of that honor, but I was super excited. It was really cool.”
He went on to praise his wife and family for the support and excitement they’ve shown for him.
“My wife was really excited whenever that happened. Those are the moments that you get to share that joy with other people and family and friends and stuff,” he said. “So it was definitely a good fall and definitely a cool award to get.”
Denton has continued to emphasize the importance of family throughout his baseball journey.
“It’s been amazing,” he continued. “I mean, without them, I wouldn’t be where I am right now. They came to probably about every college baseball game I played in, and they were just here for spring training. It’s really cool to just share that with the people that are closest to you and the people that got you to the place you are now. Now you’ve just got to go out and prove it to everybody else.”
Denton joined the big league camp multiple times during spring training and appeared in three Cactus League games as the Rockies tried to grow on the momentum he gained during the fall. He gave up one earned run on one hit—a solo home run—while striking out four batters and walking one over 2.1 innings. Denton also appeared in the Spring Breakout prospect showcase game.
“With the the new the new pitching directors here, pitching staff, there’s a lot of the mental side of the game that I think comes into play [in spring training] where you’re trying to find a way to get into a groove.”
Denton was assigned to the Double-A Hartford Yard Goats to start the season. As he works with the new pitching development staff in the organization, their philosophies remain aligned.
“The philosophy, like I said, it’s ‘fill up the zone to two strikes’ and then then, you know, ‘kill.’ That’s what they said, is ‘Get there and your stuff’s meant to get guys out with two strikes. You’re not trying to generate whiffs as early in counts. You’re trying to get strikes. Whiffs are fine. Whiffs are good. Whiffs will always be okay, but fill up the zone, strike guys out and finish at bats when you can.’”
Weekly Pebble Report: April 28th-May 4th
Triple-A: Albuquerque Isotopes (3-3, 18-15 overall)
Once again, the Albuquerque Isotopes managed to split a game series, winning the final three games against the El Paso Chihuahuas (San Diego Padres). It marked the third time since the six-game format was implemented that Albuquerque won the final three contests to earn a split after losing the initial three games. The Isotopes outscored El Paso 49-18 over the final three games of the series. On Friday, Albuquerque exploded for 26 runs, the most scored in franchise history, as every player recorded at least one hit, an RBI, and a run scored. The following day, they scored 19 runs to win 19-7 after being down 5-0 in the first inning. On the homestand, they ended up batting .332/.433/.484 with 41 strikeouts and 40 walks. Meanwhile, pitching posted a 6.67 ERA, allowing 53 runs (40 earned) on 74 hits with 45 strikeouts and 28 walks.
⬆️ Stock Up: Cole Runnings
Not that his stock needed much more raising, Cole Carrigg (No. 4 PuRP) had himself quite the week, earning Player of the Week honors in the Pacific Coast League. During the series against El Paso, Carrigg slashed .583/.615/.875, going 14-for-24 with two doubles, a triple, a homer, eight RBI, and four stolen bases. He led the PCL in runs scored (11) and stolen bases (four), while tying for first in hits (14) and placing third with 21 total bases. This also comes as Carrigg is in the midst of a 24-game on-base streak and a 13-game hitting streak. Last Saturday, he also went 4-for-5 with four runs scored and five RBI, tying career highs in all three categories.
⬇️ Stock Down: Turbulence on the flight of the Condor
After a hot start out of the gate, Charlie Condon (No. 1 PuRP) has hit a bit of a rougher patch where he isn’t seeing much success at the plate. During the home stand, Condon slashed .150/.393/.150, going 3-for-20 with three RBI. His plate discipline remains impeccable, as he drew six walks and had just five strikeouts and increased his on-base streak to 24 games. In 59 plate appearances at home this season, Condon has just one extra-base hit. Hopefully, Condon can tap back into the damage he can do with his bat and complement the discipline even more.
Upcoming
The Isotopes head to Sugar Land, Texas, to face off against the Space Cowboys (Houston Astros).
Double-A: Hartford Yard Goats (3-3, 11-15 overall)
The Yard Goats ended up splitting the series against the Reading Fightin’ Phils (Philadelphia Phillies). They were outscored 40-32 including both a 12-6 victory on Sunday, as well as an 11-3 loss on Friday and a 15-5 loss on Thursday.
⬆️ Stock Up: Take a good look, you won’t see it for Long-well!
Aidan Longwell went on an absolute tear this week, going 9-for-23 with three doubles, a triple and three home runs in six games. The first baseman also recorded nine RBI with just one walk and three strikeouts.
In 26 games this season, Longwell is slashing .282/.333/.524 with 11 doubles, one triple, four homers, 20 RBI, six walks and 18 strikeouts. The double lead only Andy Perez (10); he’s tied with Dyan Jorge and Benny Montgomery with one triple apiece; the four homers rank second behind Bryant Betancourt; and the 20 RBI lead the team ahead of Roc Riggio’s (No. 14 PuRP) 16.
⬇️ Stock Down: Pa-checo yourself before you Pa-wrecko yourself
LHP Alberto Pacheco had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad outing this week. He came in to relieve the titular Cade Denton in the third inning of April 30’s contest against the Phils and did not record a single out, but gave up seven earned runs on three hits (though one resulted in a grand slam). He also hit a batter and walked three without any strikeouts.
Upcoming
This week, the Yard Goats will head to Binghamton for a series against the Rumble Ponies (New York Mets).
High-A: Spokane Indians (1-5, 9-18 overall)
The Spokane Indians have struggled so far in 2026, which was reflected in their week against the Eugene Emeralds (San Francisco Giants). Despite having two off days last Monday and Tuesday (which resulted in a Saturday doubleheader), they only managed one win on Friday. Additionally, they were outscored 34-17 (including an 11-0 loss in Game 1 of the doubleheader and an 8-1 loss on Sunday). They did, however, win 7-1 on Friday behind an excellent two-pitcher performance (see below).
⬆️ Stock Up: The Cat-lett is out of the bag
LHP Everett Catlett had an excellent outing this week, earning him Northwest League Pitcher of the Week honors.
Catlett made one appearance on Friday against the Emeralds and absolutely dominated in the 7-1 victory. He threw six innings behind starter Lebarron Johnson Jr., who pitched three innings and only allowed one run on one hit in three innings of work.
Catlett finished the game with six scoreless innings of work, allowing twice as many hits as Johnson Jr. (2) but striking out 11 and only walking one batter. That lowered his ERA from 5.09 to 3.80 in five starts for the Indians.
In his previous start on April 24th, Carlett threw 4.2 innings and allowed one run (a solo homer) on two hits with five walks and seven strikeouts. His stock is definitely climbing!
⬇️ Stock Down: Min Belyeu
Max Belyeu (No. 15 PuRP) struggled this week at the plate, going just 2-for-15 (.133) with one RBI, three walks and 10 strikeouts. He attempted to steal one base, but was caught. Belyeu has struggled in his repeat High-A assignment (though he only played 21 games there last year after the Draft. In 22 games, Belyeu is slashing just .185/.290/.395 with a team-leading 38 strikeouts.
Upcoming
This week, the Indians will welcome to Avista Stadium the Tri-City Dust Devils (Los Angeles Angels).
Low-A: Fresno Grizzlies (3-3, 15-12 overall)
The Grizzlies equalized the Stockton Ports (Athletics), outscoring their competition 43-33. They started off the week with a bang, shutting out the Ports 10-0. They also had two 9-8 games directly following, one being a win and the other being a loss. They scored nine runs for a third time on Saturday en route to a 9-4 victory.
⬆️ Stock Up: Jolly Holliday
Ethan Holliday (No. 2 PuRP) is becoming more comfortable, as was evident this week. The fourth-overall draft pick went 6-for-12 with a double, two home runs (one of which was a grand slam), 11 RBI, eight walks and just three strikeouts.
⬆️ Stock Up: He has a Brito future ahead of him
Not to be outdone, Roldy Brito (No 11 PuRP) also had himself quite a week. He went 8-for-21 with three doubles, two home runs (including a grand slam), seven RBI, three walks and three strikeouts.
⬇️ Stock Down: De-Klein in production
While the infield soared, the backstop struggled. Matt Klein went just 1-for-16 with a run scored. He also recorded three walks, but struck out five times. Klein is hitting just .156/.304/.313 in 18 games this year.
Upcoming
The Grizzlies will travel to San Jose for a series with the Giants (San Francisco Giants).
Arizona Complex League: ACL Rockies (2-0, 2-0 overall)
The Arizona Complex League kicked off on Saturday, and the ACL Rockies have played two games so far, winning both. They beat the ACL Angels on Saturday 4-0 and the ACL Giants on Monday 4-3.
⬆️ Stock Up: U-got-it, Ronny!
Over two games, 21-year-old Ronny Ugarte had quite the showing! The Venezuelan first baseman went 5-for-7 with a double, a home run and three RBI with zero strikeouts and one stolen base.
⬇️ Stock Down: Garci-oh
On the flip side, 19-year-old Dariel Garcia has yet to record a hit. The Puerto Rican shortstop went hitless (0-for-6) with a walk and two strikeouts.
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