When the Colorado Rockies drafted catcher Braxton Fulford out of Texas Tech in 2021, the team’s catching situation was murky. However, they had already drafted their potential “catcher of the future” in fellow Texan Drew Romo the year prior.
Fulford (no. 39 PuRP) has never been a top prospect for the Rockies organization. With the emergence of Hunter Goodman at the tail end of 2024, the draft pedigree of the aforementioned Romo, and the return of veteran Jacob Stallings at the beginning of the season, Fulford’s future with the organization was unclear at best.
After being a non-roster invitee to spring training, windows of opportunity started opening for Fulford.
Romo fractured his finger during a minor league spring training game, and veteran farmhand Austin Nola also went on the injured list before the season. Suddenly, the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes were without a starting catcher.
Fulford seized upon the chance. As the starting catcher for the Isotopes he went 15-for-38 to start the Triple-A season with three doubles, ten RBIs, and five home runs.
“My at-bats and my innings were looking like they were going to be in Double-A,” Fulford said. “Then some things happened, and I ended up going to Triple-A and getting to play a whole lot. It went well, and now I’m here.”
Then another opportunity arose.
When Kris Bryant was placed on the injured list in mid-April, the Rockies needed an extra bat. They summoned the red-hot catcher from Albuquerque.
Fulford made his major league debut against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 16th, and although it didn’t go quite as planned—Fulford struck out four times in four at-bats—it’s a day he won’t forget thanks to All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman.
“I squatted down in my catcher’s stance,” Fulford said, “and he literally bent over, put his arm around me and said, ‘Congratulations.’”
Fulford’s Coors Field debut would be memorable in a different way. As the Rockies’ starting catcher, he committed three throwing errors that contributed to a difference-making two unearned runs.
However, he also logged his first major league hit: a solo home run to left field.
“This game can beat you down and kind of pick you up,” Fulford said after the game. “I felt both of those (emotions) today. And as long as when I’m getting beat down, I’m not cowering and rolling over, I think that’s the most important thing. Obviously, a lot of things I wish I did better. But I kept going out there and fighting.”
Fulford appeared in two more games as a defensive substitution, but was optioned back to Triple-A just a few days later.
Although he wasn’t as fearsome at the plate compared to the start of the season, Fulford continued to hit well in Triple-A. He slashed .266/.342/.453 in 18 games with five doubles, two triples, a home run, and 11 RBIs.
Opportunity knocked yet again for Braxton Fulford.
In the midst of a historically awful season, veteran backup catcher Jacob Stallings was granted his unconditional release as the team focused on getting younger players more experience.
Fulford once again got the call. He was now the Rockies’ backup catcher behind Hunter Goodman.
As the backup catcher, Fulford will have to make the most of every start to prove he belongs. So far, he is rising to the occasion.
In his first game after being recalled, Fulford hit an RBI single to plate the Rockies’ first run of the game against the New York Mets.
In the series finale against the Atlanta Braves over the weekend, Fulford was a critical part of an unexpected Rockies blowout victory.
Fulford had his first career multi-hit game and had a career-high five RBIs as he drove home runs in three different plate appearances.
Despite his limited playing time, Fulford is confident that he can keep capitalizing on the opportunities presented to him.
“I think it’s given me confidence, honestly, despite how I played,” Fulford said. “I know my skill set. (I’ve) gotten to get out there, gotten to see a lot of players and go up against a lot of guys. And it’s given me confidence and belief that I can play at this level.”
If he can continue to contribute on days where he’s in the lineup, he will be forcing the Rockies to consider him as a part of their future.
★ ★ ★
Weekly Pebble Report: June 10th-June 16th
Triple-A: Albuquerque Isotopes (2-4, 30-38 Overall)
The Isotopes series—outside of a blowout victory in game one—against the Oklahoma City Comets (Los Angeles Dodgers) was a series of close, high-scoring games that unfortunately did not see the ‘Topes come out on top. Albuquerque won just two games as their quest for .500 continues.
⬆️ Stock Up: Sterlin’ the pot
Sterlin Thompson (no. 15 PuRP) was one of the Isotopes’ most valuable hitters as he continues a strong Triple-A debut campaign in 2025. Against the Comets, he went 9-for-26 at the plate with three doubles, a home run, four RBIs, and struck out just three times. He also had three multi-hit games. Thompson is currently hitting .275/.377/.488 with eight home runs on the season, primarily playing left field.
WOW is Sterlin Thompson cooking. A two-run homer gives us the lead. He’s 2-for-2 tonight, and now batting .402 since May 9!
B3: Isotopes 3, Comets 2 pic.twitter.com/Xcm88sRpSC
— Albuquerque Isotopes (@ABQTopes) June 13, 2025
⬇️ Stock Down: Hughes-ton, we have a problem.
Right-handed pitcher Gabriel Hughes (no. 11 PuRP) has not seen his last two starts go according to plan. After a solid 5 2⁄3 inning Triple-A debut to end the month of May, he has lasted less than four innings in back-to-back starts and given up at least five earned runs in each of them. Against the Comets he pitched 3 2⁄3 innings and gave up five earned runs on seven hits—including a home run—and three walks.
Double-A: Hartford Yard Goats (2-4, 32-31 Overall)
A series loss against the Akron RubberDucks (Cleveland Guardians) should officially put a first half playoff spot out of reach for the Yard Goats. They are 11 games behind the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (New York Mets) for their division in the Eastern League with the first half ending this coming Sunday.
⬆️ Stock Up: The ball’s in your Betancourt
Young Yard Goats catcher Bryant Betancourt was the difference maker in both of Hartford’s victories against Akron. Betancourt slugged home runs in both games and had three overall in the series while going 5-for-19 with six RBIs.
Who else?! Bryant Betancourt with a 3-run homer in the bottom of the 8th to put the Goats ahead. Yard Goats win 4-2! pic.twitter.com/RmJacGCXd9
— Hartford Yard Goats (@GoYardGoats) June 13, 2025
⬆️ Stock Up: Not one to Sully his good name
Another week, another season high for strikeouts. Left-handed pitcher Sean Sullivan (no. 8 PuRP) had one of the best outings of the week for the Yard Goats. He worked six innings while giving up three earned runs on four hits and two walks for a Quality Start. He also set a season high for strikeouts with ten, something he did three times last season.
High-A: Spokane Indians (0-6, 29-34 Overall)
Being swept in six games against the Vancouver Canadians (Toronto Blue Jays) was exactly what the Indians did not need. Spokane plummeted to the bottom of the Northwest League standings (just above the Tri-City Dust Devils) while the Canadians rocketed to the top. The Indians are effectively eliminated from first half playoff contention.
⬆️ Stock Up: Not a Con
Charlie Condon (no. 2 PuRP) saw a seven-game hitting streak come to an end on Sunday, but not before he went 10-for-22 overall with two RBIs and drew six walks to just four strikeouts. Condon might be bound for Hartford soon enough if he continues to see the ball well in Spokane. He is hitting .351/.474/.468 since returning from injury, but still hasn’t unleashed the power potential he’s capable of.
⬇️ Stock Down: Not going to bust out the Prosecko over this one
Left-handed pitcher Michael Prosekcy (no. 25 PuRP) had the toughest outing of his season so far against Vancouver. He lasted just 3 1⁄2 innings while giving up seven runs (six earned) on six hits—including a home run—and three walks. It should tell you how solid he’s been throughout his previous 12 starts that his ERA only jumped to 3.55 after this one.
Low-A: Fresno Grizzlies (3-3, 28-35 Overall)
Playing for first half pride, the Grizzlies turned in the best series of the week for any Rockies core affiliate by splitting the series against the Modesto Nuts (Seattle Mariners). They’ll keep pushing for .500 as the first half draws to a close this week.
⬆️ Stock Up: Robert rebounds
Grizzlies outfielder Robert Calaz (no. 5 PuRP) had a much-needed bounce-back series after a few difficult weeks at the plate. Calaz had a hit in all six games against Modesto, going 9-for-24 with three doubles, three RBIs, and striking out just once.
⬆️ Stock Up: The Cat Returns
Lefty starter Everett Catlett had another strong showing on the mound this week, pitching seven innings of two-run (one earned) baseball despite not having his best stuff. He gave up six hits but no walks and managed two strikeouts.
Arizona Complex League: ACL Rockies (4-1, 18-14 Overall)
It was a good week for the ACL Rockies, taking four of five and only dropping a game to the ACL Angels. They were able to close the gap slightly in the ACL East with the ACL Giants (San Francisco Giants), to whom they are now 5.5 games back of.
⬆️ Stock Up: The Zac Attack is Back, Jack!
It’s very encouraging to see Zac Veen (no. 4 PuRP) back in action for the first time since May 22nd, when he was sent to the Complex to work on his swing mechanics and rehab a nagging ankle injury. Veen appeared in three games this week with the ACL Rockies, hitting two singles, driving in a run, and drawing four walks to two strikeouts.
⬆️ Stock Up: Near, far, wherever you Andujar
Shortstop Ashly Andujar (no. 22 PuRP) went 8-for-15 at the plate in four Complex League games this week. He had one extra-base hit—a double—with three RBIs and drew three walks to two strikeouts while also nabbing a stolen base.
★ ★ ★
Please keep in mind our Purple Row Community Guidelines when you’re commenting. Thanks!