Yard Goats hosting New Hampshire; fans to get first look at top prospect Zac Veen
The Yard Goats’ drive for a playoff spot in the Eastern League continues as the Blue Jays’ Double-A affiliate, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, come to Dunkin’ Donuts Park for six games beginning Tuesday.
The Goats’ overall record, 63-44, is third best in the league, but they narrowly lost the first-half title on June 26 and are fighting now to make the playoffs as second-half Northeast Division champs. Toward that end, they are 20-18 and trail first-place Portland by 3 1/2 games after losing eight of 12 games on the recent road trip through Reading and Somerset. Hartford has 31 games left, including three long home series before the regular season ends Sept. 18.
So they need to turn things around this week against New Hampshire, 16-23 in the second half and 47-61 overall.
This will be Hartford’s first look at outfielder Zac Veen, considered the top prospect in the Rockies organization. Veen was promoted from Class A last week, and has replaced Michael Togilia, who set a Hartford franchise record with 23 homers before being promoted to Triple A. Toglia is 5 for 22 with a homer since moving up to Albuquerque.
Shortstop Ezequiel Tovar remains in Hartford as the season winds down. In 66 games, he’s hitting .318 with 13 homers, 47 RBIs and 17 steals in 20 tries.
Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming week at Dunkin’ Donuts Park:
Probable starters and promotions
Tuesday: Yard Goats RHP Noah Gotsis vs. RHP Adam Kloffenstein, 7:05, p.m.
Los Chivos de Hartford cap for first 2,000 fans
Wednesday: Yard Goats RHP Noah Davis vs. RHP Alejandro Melean, 7:05 p.m.
Chompers Birthday Party, with mascots from other teams
Thursday: Yard Goats RHP Mike Ruff vs. TBA, 7:05 p.m.
Strike Out Cancer Night
Friday: Yard Goats RHP Mitch Kilkenny vs. LHP Ricky Tiedemann, 7:05 p.m.
Irish Heritage Night, with music and step dancers
Saturday: Yard Goats RHP Tony Locey vs. TBA, 6:05 p.m.
Roberto Clemente Day, baseball clinic in the morning, post-game fireworks
Sunday: Gotsis vs. TBA, 1:05 p.m.
Faith & Family Day/Kids Run the Bases
How to watch/listen
Radio — FM 100.9 or AM 1410 WPOP; Video Stream — MiLB.tv; Internet — newsradio1410.iheart.com (iHeartRadio app)
For tickets and information: Visit yardgoatsbaseball.com or call 860-246-4628.
About Zac Veen
Veen, 20, was Colorado’s top pick, No. 9 overall, in the 2020 MLB draft. A right-handed hitter and thrower, Veen is 6 feet 4 and 195 pounds out of Spruce Creek High in Port Orange, Fla. He debuted at Fresno in the California League in 2021, hitting .301 with 15 homers and 75 RBIs in 106 games, his slash line of .301/.399/.501 good for a .901 on-base plus slugging mark. This season at high Class A Spokane he had 11 homers and 60 RBIs in 92 games, an .806 OPS, leading the Northwest League in RBIs, runs (72) and steals (50) at the time of his promotion. He picked up two hits in the MLB Futures Game at Dodger Stadium on July 16. So he has succeeded at each level so far, with Double A a big step; he’s 3.9 years younger than the average Eastern League player. Since joining Hartford on the road, he is 6 for 25 with a double. Veen is on a fast track, and a lot of MLB eyes will be on him over these final weeks of the season.
On the Fisher Cats
Kloffenstein, who could start twice in the series, is the Jays’ 11th-ranked prospect according to MLB.com, but he is 0-5 with a 6.32 ERA since moving up to New Hampshire in May. Trent Palmer, another of Toronto’s top pitching prospects, is injured. The Cats’ team ERA of 5.08 is next to last in the EL. Infielder Orelvis Martinez has 25 homers and 64 RBIs in 94 games.
Dom Amore can be reached at damore@courant.com.
