Here are the Rockies' 2024 Top 30 prospects
Jonathan Mayo
@JonathanMayoOver the years, the Rockies would probably readily admit to having a strength in developing hitters. Pitchers? Not so much.
The construction of this year’s Top 30 for the organization points to it being more of the same. It’s a bat-heavy list -- 12 of the top 13 are hitters -- including three of the four who made this year’s Top 100. And there’s a new shortstop atop the list from a year ago. Ezequiel Tovar graduated, as expected, and was replaced by Adael Amador. Amador might need to shift to another spot, something that would happen because of Tovar’s presence anyway, but Rockies fans have another year before likely seeing his advanced bat in Coors Field. He’s joined by three primary outfielders at the top of the list who could provide some serious firepower to a big league lineup over the next two seasons.
While the Rockies system was hurt by three arms all needing Tommy John surgery at around the same time last July, the pitching cupboard isn’t completely bare. The group is led by 2023 first-rounder Chase Dollander, the one prospect breaking up the run of bats at the top of this Top 30, and there are two more pitchers who made the list from last year’s Draft class who can hopefully make up for some of the lost depth while those pitchers on the shelf rehab.
Here’s a look at the Rockies top prospects:
1. Adael Amador, SS/2B (MLB No. 28)
2. Chase Dollander, RHP (MLB No. 52)
3. Yanquiel Fernandez, OF (MLB No. 72)
4. Jordan Beck, OF (MLB No. 81)
5. Sterlin Thompson, OF/2B
Complete Top 30 list »
Biggest jump/fall
Here are the players whose ranks changed the most from the 2023 preseason list to the 2024 preseason list:
Jump: Robert Calaz, OF (2023: NR | 2024: 11)
Calaz was the top acquisition on the international free agent market for the Rockies in 2023, signing that January for $1.7 million. It’s important to not put too much weight on a Dominican Summer League debut, but it’s hard not to get excited after Calaz put up a .325/.423/.561 line with seven homers in 43 games. Next up: His U.S. debut.
Fall: Jaden Hill, RHP (2023: 9 | 2024: 28)
The elite stuff that made the Rockies take him in the second round of the 2021 Draft despite the fact he had Tommy John surgery is still there, but it’s been hard to see him on the mound. He came back for a few innings in 2022 and his 2023 was up-and-down and included some shoulder soreness. The good news is he looked sharper in the Arizona Fall League and could grow into a back-end reliever role.
Best tools
Players are graded on a 20-80 scouting scale for future tools – 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average. Players in parentheses have the same grade.
Hit: 60 -- Adael Amador
Power: 60 -- Yanquiel Fernandez (Hunter Goodman)
Run: 70 -- Benny Montgomery
Arm: 70 -- Cole Carrigg
Defense: 60 -- Benny Montgomery (Drew Romo, Ryan Ritter)
Fastball: 65 -- Chase Dollander (Victor Vodnik, Jaden Hill)
Curveball: 60 -- Jackson Cox
Slider: 60 -- Chase Dollander
Changeup: 60 -- Victor Vodnik (Jaden Hill)
Control: 55 -- Sean Sullivan
How they were built
Draft: 18 | International: 7 | Trade: 4 | Rule 5: 1
Breakdown by ETA
2024: 7 | 2025: 9 | 2026: 10 | 2027: 2 | 2028: 1 | 2029: 1
Breakdown by position
C: 1 | 1B: 1 | 3B: 2 | SS: 4 | OF: 7 | LHP: 5 | RHP: 10