“That’s a home run,” Black said through the Rockies.TV headset as Veen’s 433-foot, fourth-inning shot off Diamondbacks righty Buddy Corcoran sailed halfway up the seating berm at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick -- and Veen’s bat flew most of the way back to Corcoran.
“You see the bat flip there?” Black said as Veen’s celebratory flip bounced near the mound. “He’s a beauty.”
The Rockies’ 9-3 victory over the Diamondbacks also featured first baseman Michael Toglia’s three-run homer in the fifth, two solid innings from righty pitching prospect Gabriel Hughes and a scoreless, one-hit frame from spotlight relief prospect Zach Agnos.
The biggest buzz came from Veen, the team’s top pick in the 2020 MLB Draft out of Spruce Creek High School in Port Orange, Fla.
Veen’s bat flip wasn’t his only burst of personality on the day. When he stole second base in the second inning, his batting helmet flew off to reveal that he had already changed his Spring Training hair color from purple at the beginning of camp to bleach blond.
It was typical aggressiveness from Veen. He’s usually unapologetic, but he extended an excuse-me right hand toward Corcoran to let him know he didn’t mean for the bat to fly so close.
“To be real, I blacked out right after I hit the ball so I have no idea what happened to the bat -- there was no disrespect by me to anybody there,” Veen said.
This is Veen’s third Spring Training, but the previous two preceded injury-shortened regular seasons at Double-A Hartford. To realize his Major League aspirations, Veen -- as well as other touted prospects -- first has to play a volume of games. But even in the short Cactus League season, Veen, 23, must show the Rockies that the pain has led to growth.
“We’re watching the conversations, the maturity, how he takes instruction, the practice – what he does early in the morning, all those things,” Black said after the game.
Maybe even the hair dye switcheroo was to please the watchful eyes. Rockies purple is nice, but it may be early for that. Last year started with him wearing royal blue and kelly green with Hartford, and he finished in black and red with Triple-A Albuquerque.
“I love the Rockies and I love to represent the organization,” Veen said. “I’m very proud to be part of it. But I wanted my teammates to know that I’m with them. I just wanted to be one of the guys.
“Maybe it’ll come back soon.”
Power, speed and style are not bad traits to show off right now.
“It was a good swing,” Black said. “He put a good swing yesterday to double off the wall. That’s good to see early in camp.”
RELEASE THE COMPETITOR
Hughes, 23, missed last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023. He returned to action during the 2024 Arizona Fall League. But Saturday was different. Instead of just regaining his bearings under game conditions, he was competing. He forced first-inning fly balls from Corbin Carroll and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. after falling behind, 2-0 and 3-0, respectively. He walked Jordan Lawlar with two down in the second after being up 0-2, but it didn’t hurt him.
“I’m going to go out and compete every single game, pitch by pitch, so there’s no going out and seeing what I have that day – that’s not my mentality,” Hughes said. “I’m going to go out like I’m going to win this game.”
Hughes showed a fastball and sinker in the 95 mph range. The slider is a work in progress. He wants to increase the difference in velocity from his fastball, but Saturday’s pitch came in hot enough to be read by Statcast as a cutter.
“The ball is coming out and he has fastball command,” Black said. “But the secondaries have to tighten up and [he must increase] the use of the change.”
SOMETHING NEW IN THE BAG?
During his throwing sessions this spring, lefty Kyle Freeland -- who will start Sunday at Salt River Fields against the Brewers -- has tinkered with a sweeper in his evolution efforts.
“We’ll see if it works or if it doesn’t,” Freeland said. “But I’ve seen some of the numbers we’ve gotten off Trackman [tracking system], and the visuals from bullpens have been promising. So I’m going to keep tinkering with it and see.”
Former Cardinals, White Sox and Pirates righty Jake Woodford will start Sunday’s other split-squad game against the Athletics in Mesa, Ariz.