24-year old switch hitting 2B Eric Young Jr. was a hot topic in trade discussions last week but the Rockies were smart to keep him. Young was the Rockies’ #18 rated prospect when the season started according to Baseball America but he’s probably moving up that list fast. He has played in 97 games in AAA-ball so far this season and he is 113 for 383 (.295 avg, .797 OPS) with 92 runs scored, 6 homers, 36 RBIs and 51 stolen bases. If anything were to happen to either Troy Tulowitzki or Clint Barmes the Rockies would likely call up Young to start at 2B. Look for him to get a September call up from the Rockies.

The Rockies have called up 23-year old lefty swinging outfielder Carlos Gonzalez and have demoted Matt Murton to AAA. Gonzalez was a key part of the Matt Holliday trade with the Rockies over the winter. Gonzalez has played in 48 games in AAA-ball this season and he was 65 for 192 (.339 avg, 1.048 OPS) with 43 runs scored, 10 homers, 59 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. Gonzalez has also played in 85 games in his major league career and he is 73 for 302 (.242 avg, .633 OPS) with 31 runs scored, 4 homers, 26 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Matt Murton was playing decent for the Rockies before his demotion. He played in 22 games for the Rockies this season and he was 12 for 45 (.267 avg, .771 OPS) with 7 runs scored, 1 homer, 6 RBIs and 2 stolen bases.

The Rockies are really loaded with outfielders and 22-year old switch hitter is one of the best ones in the minor leagues. Fowler was the #3 prospect in the Colorado Rockies’ minor league system according to Baseball America coming into this season and he has not disappointed. Fowler has played in 87 games in AA-Ball this season and he is 113 for 343 (.329 avg, .932 OPS) with 72 runs scored, 9 homers, 54 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. He will be on the fast track to the majors now with the Rockies with an estimated time of arrival in Denver of September, 2008.

26-year old righty swinging outfielder Tony Blanco is ripping the cover off of the baseball for the Rockies this season. He has played in 64 games in A+AA ball this season and he is 87 for 247 (.352 avg, 1.096 OPS) with 40 runs scored, 19 homers, 56 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. Blanco is a little old for the levels he’s playing at so his production shouldn’t be too shocking. If the Rockies trade a few outfielders in the next couple of weeks Blanco could get a shot at the big leagues.

26-year old lefty swinging 1B Joe Koshansky is on fire in AAA but he’s blocked by Todd Helton on the Rockies. He has played in 65 games this season in AAA ball and he is 75 for 242 (.310 avg, 1.011 OPS) with 43 runs scored, 15 homers and 66 RBIs. He was the #17 prospect in the Rockies’ Minor League System when the season began according to Baseball America’s Prospect Handbook. If the Rockies don’t make a run soon they could look to trade Helton which could open an opportunity for Koshansky at the major league level.