2019 Colorado Rockies Top 10 Prospects

The 2018 season is in the books. The Rockies finished 89-73, winning the NL West and making their first trip to the playoffs since 2010. A big part of their success had to do with the production of young guns; Gabriel Gamora and Duque Alomzo -- not to mention Ken Smith's late surge and great defensive play. This year we saw more youthfulness from the positional crop. In the next few years we should see a surge of pitching prospects hitting the big leagues.


10 Brian Haugh, SS
2019 Age: 21 Drafted: LSU, 2018 (4th Round, 94th Overall), Rockies
ETA: 2021 Grade: C+

Haugh hit a combined .295 between Single-A Modesto and Double-A Tulsa after becoming a nice middle round find for the Rockies. He doesn't have any real "wow" factor in his skill set, but no part of his game is real weak either. He doesn't have a high ceiling, but his floor is pretty high too. As of right now, he'd already make a solid bench player.

09 Tom Stalbans, LHP
2019 Age: 24 Drafted: HS--Bridgton, ME, 2013 (3rd Round, 83rd Overall), Braves
ETA: 2020 Grade: C+

The Rockies had been tracking Stalbans for awhile until they acquired him from San Diego. The lefty shows a good curve along with a solid heater. He'll likely need one more season in Triple-A Colorado Springs, but he should become a #4/5 starter.

08 Ed Carias, LHP
2019 Age: 23 Drafted: HS--Bahamas, 2015 (5th Round, 136th Overall), Reds
ETA: 2019 Grade: C+

Carias will have a healthy shot to win a bullpen spot out of spring training. He features a good one-two punch with his fastball and curve. His forte is pitching to contact and keeping the ball in the ballpark. He should wind up with a fine career as a lefty one out guy.

07 Craig Pagano, RHP
2019 Age: 25 Drafted: HS--Linn Grove, IA, 2013 (3rd Round, 62nd Overall), Reds
ETA: 2019 Grade: B-

Much like Carias, Pagano too pitches to contact --and keeps the ball in the ballpark. He has a quality fastball and a decent change up to keep hitters off balance. That could be the leg up he needs on the competition to win a rotation job this spring.

06 Jason Richard, RHP
2019 Age: 23 Drafted: HS--Fort Smith, AR, 2013 (2nd Round, 43rd Overall), Rockies
ETA: 2019 Grade: B-

Richard is one of the "competition" for the final rotation spot. He was originally drafted by Colorado and then re-acquired heading towards the deadline this past season. He's a classic junk baller who can locate his pitches fairly well.

05 Justin Deery, RHP
2019 Age: 22 Drafted: HS--Hurffville, NJ, 2017 (1st Round, 6th Overall), Rockies
ETA: 2020 Grade: B-

It's safe to say Deery's development hasn't gone according to plan. This August the Rockies aborted their attempt to turn Deery into a starter and instantly he showed to be more effective. With going back to the bullpen he held opponents to a .195 average. Going forward he looks like a potential setup man for Craig Kimbrel.

04 Brent Ruediger, RHP
2019 Age: 18 Drafted: HS--Branson, MO, 2018 (2nd Round, 39th Overall), Rockies
ETA: 2024 Grade: B

With Ruediger's good control, he's the Rockies current project to stretch an arm out into a starter. So far, so good. In six starts he wound up with a 2.76 ERA and .220 OBA. He's well advanced for his age and has good upside as well --a very good prospect.

03 Aaron Brand, 2B
2019 Age: 21 Drafted: Baylor, 2018 (1st Round, 22nd Overall), Rockies
ETA: 2021 Grade: B

The Rockies had no real need at second base, but felt he was the best on the board at 22nd overall. His overall stats aren't impressive at Single-A Tulsa, but he came around late in the season and will still get a promotion to Double-A Tulsa in 2019. The big concern for him is if his defense will come around to major league quality.

02 Joe West, RHP
2019 Age: 23 Drafted: HS--Brooklyn, NY, 2012 (4th Round, 97th Overall), Mariners
ETA: 2019 Grade: B

West may very well be the favorite for the final rotation spot this spring. He has a major league quality change up and curve and has also performed well in limited time in the Rockies' bullpen. His floor is as a #4 and has a ceiling that could reach #2 status.

01 Joseph Axmacher, RHP
2019 Age: 20 Drafted: HS--Pittston, PA (1st Round, 9th Overall), Rockies
ETA: 2022 Grade: A-

Many in the Rockies organization felt Axmacher was a steal, lasting to ninth overall. Axmacher has pretty good makeup. He's a strikeout pitcher with a 93 MPH fastball and slider combination and also mixes in a circle change. Come the early '20s, the Rockies could be looking at a future Ace.

*Note: ETA = Full-Time In Majors (Not Initial Call-Up Date)*