DENVER -- The Rockies went young -- again -- by calling up their No. 5 prospect, left-handed-hitting Yanquiel Fernández, from Triple-A Albuquerque on Tuesday in a flurry of moves.
With the Astros starting left-handed pitcher Colton Gordon, manager Warren Schaeffer elected not to start Fernández, who has slashed .284/.347/.502 with 13 home runs and 39 RBIs in 63 games at Albuquerque.
At 22 years and 181 days, Fernández entered Tuesday in line to become the 25th-youngest player to appear in an MLB game this season. He would be the second-youngest Rockies player used this season, behind Adael Amador, an infielder who is a little more than three months younger and is back in Triple-A.
In keeping with the youth theme, Fernández could call his last homer for Albuquerque, well, one to grow on. On Sunday night, he parked a projected 473-foot shot at Las Vegas.
“When I hit the home run, I never thought that was going to be my final home run at the Triple-A level,” Fernández said in Spanish, with Edwin Perez interpreting. “I always go out there just to have fun and play baseball.”
The Rockies’ struggles -- 19-65 going into Tuesday -- have led them to accelerate a youth movement. Ryan Ritter, 24, has started consistently at shortstop since being called up on June 6.
Catcher Hunter Goodman, who returned to the lineup Tuesday after missing four games with a sore left hamstring, and left fielder Jordan Beck had rookie status last season. Four other starters Tuesday -- pitcher Chase Dollander, right fielder Tyler Freeman, center fielder Brenton Doyle and first baseman Michael Toglia -- are 27 or younger.
“I think we have some good young players,” general manager Bill Schmidt said. “We’ll call [Fernández] up and see what we have, especially this time of year. It is a good time to bring guys up and take a look.”
The belief is growing pains are worthwhile. Fernández’s career is an example of a player responding to challenges.
Originally signed out of Cuba for $295,000 in 2019 as a 16-year-old, Fernández has shown potential for power and, at one point, was an MLB Pipeline Top 100 prospect. The Rockies advanced Fernández as far as Double-A Hartford in 2023 and Triple-A last season, and his rankings dropped when he struggled with pitch selection against older competitors.
“At one point in High-A ball, he had more RBIs than games played, and then he got to Double-A and made some adjustments,” Schmidt said. “I was surprised last year when he went to Albuquerque and struggled because I really thought he would take off. But in half a season this year, he’s done some good things.”
Beck and Doyle start regularly in left and center, respectively. Freeman and Mickey Moniak, 27, have shared right field, but either could spell Doyle in center. Fernández, a right fielder by trade, will start against right-handed pitching, Schaeffer said.
Fernández hit safely in 13 of the 15 games before being promoted, batting .407 (24-for-59) with five home runs, four doubles and 16 RBIs.
“[Rockies hitting coach] Jordan Pacheco told me that June is my time, my season -- the month that I excel the best,” said Fernández, who added that his wife, Karla Moniz, will be in the stands Wednesday, when he’ll likely start against Astros righty Hunter Brown. “That comes with preparation. I never change my routine. It’s an accumulation of those things.”
Sam Hilliard, 31, was designated for assignment. If not claimed off waivers, Hilliard likely will return to Albuquerque, where he started the season. Because he avoided arbitration with a one-year, $1 million contract last year, Hilliard can keep his full big league salary by playing at Albuquerque rather than opt for free agency.
The other move on the Major League active roster was with the future in mind, even though it immediately made the Rockies older. Former Mariners and Padres catcher Austin Nola, 35, had his contract selected from Albuquerque while rookie catcher Braxton Fulford was optioned back to Triple-A.
Fulford, 26, has batted .250 over two stints with the club. Schaeffer said with Goodman healthy, he wanted Fulford to keep playing regularly.
“Braxton played very, very well here, and he continues to get better,” he said. “We think big things of Braxton.”
The Rockies also activated righty starting pitcher Tanner Gordon (left oblique strain) from the 15-day injured list, and optioned him to Albuquerque.