Colorado Rockies Top 5 Prospects
The Rockies have been one of the most up-and-down teams in the last few years. They’ve gone from laughingstock to story of the year to the significant disappointment they’ve been this year. In contrast, the minor league system has been consistently… good. Not great, but good.
1. RHSP Jhoulys Chacin
Who?: Chacin is one of my favourite prospects, and a member of the group of top up-and-coming pitching prospects that I have a bit of a man-crush on. Chacin had somewhat surprising success at Low-A this year; he was a 2004 international signing who didn’t debut until 2007 and had not been a factor in Rockies prospect lists. (Unranked out of 11 ranked prospects and 3 Honourable Mentions by BP; unranked in Baseball America’s Top 10 Rockies prospects). To reward him for his success, the Rockies put the 20-year-old prospect through a little trial-by-fire by sending him to the California League. How did he respond? By pitching even better. His K% rose from 21.9% to 23.5%, his BB% fell from 6.7% to 4.5% and he has a 60 GB%. He throws a fastball that hangs around 94 MPH and (obviously) has a lot of sink, plus two breaking balls and a change, all of which rank as above-average.
Projection: Chien-Ming Wang with more Ks; #2 guy, or at worst a #3.
2. LHSP Christian Friedrich
Who?: The Rockies’ 2008 first round pick, my #1 ranked pitcher, and 8th overall on my value board. Friedrich dominated from day 1 in College, totaling 327 K in 245.1 IP. He dominates mainly on the strength of a mid-90s FB (as a lefty!) and a devastating, plus-plus hard curve. He’ll mix in a hard slider and a change, but he’s a FB/curve guy mainly. As expected, he’s stepped in and dominated in his minor league debut with 59 K and 13 BB in 43 IP. The only big knock on Friedrich is inconsistent command. (69 BB in 163.1 IP in his last two years of college).
Projection: Anywhere from a #2-4 pitcher. Obviously, from my high ranking of him, I lean towards the former.
3. CF Dexter Fowler
Who?: A bit of an overrated prospect. Fowler’s high rankings are not without merit, as he has a lot of talent. He’s got plus speed, he plays a very good CF, and he has the excellent plate approach that I usually covet. (85 K and 64 BB in 485 AA PA this year). He just can’t hit for power. If he manages to hit his 10th HR before the season ends, it will be the first time he has reached double digit HR totals in his career - his 9 are already a career high. It is very, very difficult for a hitter with negligeable power to be much more than an average hitter, if that. Daric Barton is the most noteable recent example.
Projection: An average-above average CF, with a lot of his value coming from defense.
4. RHRP Casey Weathers
Who?: There’s not a lot to say about Weathers. He throws really hard, strikes out a lot of batters, and he’s got control issues. If nothing else, he’s fun to watch.
Projection: A late-inning reliever.
5. OF Charlie Blackmon
Who?: A second round pick this year that I really like. He’s got some tools, he’s an above-average speed guy who plays a good corner outfield. His offensive success in college this year was largely due to an excellent plate approach (21 K and 20 BB), but like Fowler his power hasn’t come around yet. Unlike Fowler, I think Blackmon will develop into a pretty good power threat.
Projection: A good all-around COF; something like a .285/.350/.475 guy with good defense.
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