In their 24 seasons, the Rockies never have had a rookie class as strong as their 2016 group. Trevor Story set home run records beginning on Opening Day, Jon Gray looked like the frontline starter Colorado hoped for when it drafted him third overall in 2013 and David Dahl tied a big league record by hitting safely in his first 17 games. Tyler Anderson, Carlos Estevez and Tony Wolters also graduated to Coors Field.
There's plenty more talent where that came from. Even without those players, the Rockies still have one of the best farm systems in baseball, checking in at No. 8 in MLBPipeline.com's annual rankings. They have good balance, with depth in both position players and pitchers and quality prospects spread throughout all four of their full-season clubs.
• Rockies' Top 30 Prospects list
Colorado has another wave of rookies poised to contribute as it attempts to return to contention in 2017. Right-handers Jeff Hoffman and German Marquez and catcher Tom Murphy will press for starting jobs after getting some time with the Rockies last year. Lefty Kyle Freeland, outfielders Raimel Tapia and Jordan Patterson and relievers Rayan Gonzalez and Sam Moll also are ready if needed.
Top 10 Farm Systems
Biggest jump/fall
Here are the players whose ranks changed the most from the 2016 preseason list to the 2017 preseason list.
Jump: Yency Almonte, RHP (2016: NR | 2017: 16)
Fall: Jesus Tinoco, RHP (2016: 18 | 2017: NR)
:: Team Top 30 Prospects lists ::
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.
Hit: Raimel Tapia (60)
Power: Brendan Rodgers (55)
Run: Garrett Hampson (60)
Arm: Sam Hilliard (60)
Defense: Garrett Hampson (55)
Fastball: Riley Pint (75)
Curveball: Jeff Hoffman (60)
Slider: Kyle Freeland (60)
Changeup: Riley Pint (60)
Control: Parker French (60)
How they were built
Draft: 23
International: 4
Trade: 3
Breakdown by ETA
2017: 9
2018: 8
2019: 8
2020: 5
Breakdown by position
C: 2
1B: 1
2B: 1
3B: 3
SS: 3
OF: 4
RHP: 11
LHP: 5
Here's a look at the Rockies' preseason Top 10 prospects from each of the past seven years (click here to see a larger image):