2020 Colorado Rockies Draft Review

The Colorado Rockies draft actually started before it even began. As usually GM Matty Nokes was listening to offers to trade out of and back in to the draft. In the end the Rockies ended up trading out, back in, and back out again, ending up with four selections; 2^nd Rounder, Two 4^th Rounders, and a 5^th Rounder. Here’s a timeline of the draft pick transactions:

1. Rockies acquire 1B Mike Chitty from the Yankees in exchange for COL’s 1^st and 3^rd round picks

2. Rockies acquire KCR’s 2^nd and 3^rd Round picks from the Royals in exchange for $10.00M cash

3. Rockies acquire $7.75M cash from the Twins in exchange for KCR’s 2^nd and COL’s 6^th round picks

4. Rockies acquire OF Enrico Carrion and MIL’s 4^th round pick from the Brewers in exchange for RPs Toby Lancha and Patrick Crowle

5. Rockies acquire SS Kevin Timblick from the White Sox for KCR’s 3^rd round pick and $0.50M cash

Colorado feels they got their future 1B in Chitty who should be a big time power and on-base threat. The Twins offer, which Colorado felt was over market value, was just too much to pass up on flipping KCR’s 2^nd round pick. The Rockies have a lot of bullpen depth in Double-A and Triple-A, so moving some of the depth for a draft pick and a prospect at a position that’s pretty empty in the minors was a plus. GM Matty Nokes felt short stop was a key need for the draft, but didn’t think many of the good short stop prospects would be left at #45 overall. As it turned out, the Rockies number one target, Peter Conwell, went in the final third of the first round. The trade for Timblick assured the Rockies that they would get a young short stop with upside. Now onto the actual draft…

From the Rockies standpoint the draft was relatively deep as far as positional prospects go, but was very thin on the pitching side. However, Colorado wouldn’t have had it any other way. (Including the recent additions) Prior to the draft the Rockies only had a handful of positional prospects with ability to crack a starting lineup in even a platoon role while the pitching side of the Rockies minors looks deep.

2^nd Round: #45 Overall – 2B Jason Barker, HS-- Philadelphia, PA

Barker is very raw, but very projectable. His defense should turn out very solid if his lateral movement can catch up. He also shows signs of developing some pop in his bat. The other skills will take time to blossom, but no worries or hurries. He’ll report to Rookie-Ball Casper where he’ll likely follow in the footsteps of Dequan Smith and take a slow journey to The Show.

4^th Round: #92 Overall – C Jon Woelfel, HS-- Milwaukee, WI

GM Matty Nokes usually holds defensive as high priority number one with catches, but he takes a chance here that Woelfel can work on his defense much like Gabriel Gamora fine tuned his once mediocre defensive skills. Woelfel is much more polished than most high school prospects, but overall doesn’t have the projection that the others have. He’s a safe bet to at least become backup worthy.

4^th Round: #105 Overall – RP Vernon Ramirez, HS-- Puerto Rico

The 19 year old hurler might be the definition of raw. The Rockies don’t know exactly what to expect from Ramirez, but they were excited to see his three pitch repertoire and liked the fact that he didn’t allow a single home run during his senior year of high school. He’s probably the biggest gamble out of the Rockies’ draft, but he does have the potential to find his way into a major league bullpen.

5^th Round: #135 Overall – OF Mike Toombs, Louisiana State University

The Rockies go from making a big gamble to making their safest pick just a round later. There’s nothing to be overly excited about Toombs, but he’s adequate defensively at all three outfield spots and with some work offensively he should find himself a fourth outfielder job. He’ll likely see a short stay in Rookie-Ball Casper, but look for him to be a quick riser in the system.

Overall Draft Grade: B-

Colorado didn’t have a lot picks, but they re-stocked their positional minor leagues. Prior to the draft they didn’t have any true catching prospect and had only two total outfield prospects below Double-A. One might think the pick of Barker is overkill at second base, but the Rockies view Aaron Brand as a future left fielder of first baseman while Barker’s potential outweighs that of Smith or Tom Anslow. Also, kudos to the Rockies for signing three undrafted free agents; Lashan Pegram, Justin Barhydt, and Joel MacMichael.