MAY 7, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM
COLTON WELKER
Nick Groke: Colton Welker, one of the Rockies top prospects... - The Athletic Colton Welker, one of the Rockies top prospects, tested positive for a banned substance, MLB said Thursday, and the league suspended him 80...
Faces 80-game suspension Welker tested positive for a substance banned under Major League Baseball's Drug Prevention and Treatment Program and was suspended for 80 games Thursday.
Impact Welker released a statement through the MLB Players Association stating that he tested positive for use of Oral Turinabol. Prior to the suspension, he nearly broke camp with the big-league team and was expected to make an impact in Colorado this season. This suspension will delay that debut, though he reached Double-A Hartford in 2019, so he could still ultimately reach the majors very late in the campaign.
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Sent to minors Welker was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday.
Impact Welker was being considered for a spot on the Opening Day roster this spring after slashing .366/.386/.512 with one home run and 10 RBI in 24 Cactus League games, but he'll head to Triple-A Albuquerque to begin the year. However, the 23-year-old could be in line to make his major-league debut at some point in 2021 if he continues to perform well in the minors.
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Welker on cusp of making Rockies; remembers dad, credits mom In the infield dirt before each game, Colorado Rockies prospect Colton Welker always scribbles the same three letters: M-P-P.
MARCH 24, 2021 • WASHINGTONTIMES.COM
Welker on cusp of making Rockies; remembers dad, credits mom In the infield dirt before each game, Colorado Rockies prospect Colton Welker always scribbles the same three letters: M-P-P.
MARCH 24, 2021 • OLEANTIMESHERALD.COM
Welker on cusp of making Rockies; remembers dad, credits mom
Colorado Rockies prospect Colton Welker is on the cusp of making the rosterMARCH 24, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
In hunt for roster spot The Rockies are giving consideration to carrying Welker on their Opening Day roster, Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports.
Impact Welker has experience at both corner-infield spots, but the Rockies are most likely viewing him as a candidate for duties at third base, since C.J. Cron has seemingly solidified himself as Colorado's everyday first baseman. The post-Nolan Arenado Rockies are far less settled at the hot corner, where Josh Fuentes (.714 OPS in 159 career MLB plate appearances) likely projects as the starter in the likely event Ryan McMahon is needed to fill in at second base for Brendan Rodgers (hamstring) to begin the season. Fuentes hasn't performed poorly enough this spring to lose his foothold atop the depth chart, but Welker has made himself relevant in the job battle by slashing .353/.378/.529 with a 23.5 percent strikeout rate over 34 plate appearances in Cactus League play. Harding notes that manager Bud Black has raved about the Welker's maturity and power potential throughout the spring, so the 23-year-old looks like he'll have a legitimate shot to stake his claim to a roster spot over the final few spring games. Welker could be someone worth considering in the end game of drafts, given the upside he would have as a potential everyday player at Coors Field.
MARCH 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Drives in three runs Wednesday Welker went 1-for-1 with a three-run home run in Wednesday's spring win over the Padres.
Impact Welker spent the entire 2020 campaign at the Rockies' alternate training site, but he's gotten off to a hot start to begin spring training in 2021. Across nine games, the 23-year-old has gone 7-for-16 with four extra-base hits, eight RBI, two runs, one walk and four strikeouts. Welker's contract was selected in November to protect him from the Rule 5 draft, and he could make his major-league debut at some point in 2021. "He's swinging the bat great," manager Bud Black told Thomas Harding of MLB.com. "He's got good bat speed, and his pitch recognition is great."
MARCH 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Third dimension: McMahon prepares to step in for Arenado
Colorado Rockies infielder Ryan McMahon is in line to get the first crack at filling in for Nolan Arenado at third baseFEBRUARY 24, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
