Rockies summon No. 4 prospect, slugging OF Jordan Beck

April 30th, 2024

DENVER -- Rockies No. 4 prospect Jordan Beck, a power-hitting outfielder who is ranked No. 73 overall by MLB Pipeline, flew to Miami on Monday to join the team for its series against the Marlins starting on Tuesday.

The club officially called up Beck Tuesday afternoon, placing Nolan Jones on the injured list with a low back strain as a corresponding move for the 26-man roster, and transferring left-hander Lucas Gilbreath to the 60-day IL to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.

Beck, 23, who earned the Abby Greer Award as the Rockies’ Spring Training Most Valuable Player, started strongly at Triple-A Albuquerque -- hitting .307 with five home runs and more RBIs (28) than games played (25) -- to put himself in position for his Major League debut.

The Rockies have been heavy on pitching at the top of their recent MLB Drafts, but they don’t pass on hitters with power potential. Judging that Beck fit that bill, they selected him 38th overall in 2022 after a standout career at the University of Tennessee. Beck has not disappointed.

In 177 Minor League games, Beck has produced a .280 batting average, 33 home runs and 138 RBIs. Beck is listed at 6-2 and 225 pounds, and his size-speed combination allows him to play all three outfield positions. Beck is 5-for-5 on stolen base attempts at Triple-A and for his career is 25-for-30.

Beck was last year’s High-A Northwest League Most Valuable Player, when he batted .292 with 19 home runs and 72 RBIs in 76 games. He finished the year at Double-A Hartford, where he showed immediate power but admitted he wore down and finished at .240 with five homers and 19 RBIs in 50 games. However, it was his first full professional season. Beck said he adjusted his offseason workouts, and that he would use his observations from last season to allow him to maintain his stamina this year.

The Rockies considered keeping Beck on the 26-man Opening Day roster. But with veterans such as Charlie Blackmon and Kris Bryant (currently on the injured list with a back injury) in place, and with a full 40-man Major League roster, the club determined that Beck could use some time in Triple-A -- a level he had not visited before this season.