The Moose Experiment was short-lived in LoDo.
Colorado traded infielder Mike Moustakas to the Angels in exchange for right-handed prospect Connor Van Scoyoc on Saturday night. The trade was announced minutes after Los Angeles blasted the Rockies 25-1 in Colorado’s worst defeat in franchise history.
In 47 games this season, Moustakas hit .270 with four homers, 17 RBIs and a .795 OPS. He appeared at first, third and designated hitter for the Rockies, who signed the veteran to a minor-league deal in spring training.
In the deal for Van Scoyoc, the Rockies add another starting pitching prospect to a farm system that has a dearth of them. The 23-year-old, an 11th-round pick by the Angels in 2018 out of Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has a 4.40 ERA over four minor-league seasons.
After getting bombed in the Arizona Fall League to the tune of a 7.62 ERA in seven starts, Van Scoyoc’s faring well in High-A this season, with a 2.76 ERA in 11 starts. He’s like to start his Rockies career with High-A Spokane or possibly Double-A Hartford.
The Rockies turn around and face Moustakas a day after trading him, as Colorado takes on Los Angeles in the series finale on Sunday afternoon at Coors Field.
Colorado is expected to call up rookie Michael Toglia from Triple-A Albuquerque ahead of Sunday’s game to take Moustakas’ roster spot. In 10 games with the Rockies this year, Toglia hit .174 with no homers and nine strikeouts.
