SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Following back-to-back playoff appearances in 2017-18, the Rockies have finished in fourth place in the National League West for the last three seasons. General manager Jeff Bridich's resigned last April, with former vice president of scouting Bill Schmidt named to replace him a week later, first on an interim basis and then, in October, permanently.

When Colorado returns to contention, Schmidt's last two Drafts may be the driving force. The organization's three best prospects were selected in the first round or supplemental first round the last two years: outfielders Zac Veen and Benny Montgomery and catcher Drew Romo. Those Drafts also yielded several of the system's top pitching prospects in right-handers Jaden Hill and Chris McMahon and left-handers Sam Weatherly and Joe Rock, all taken in the second or third round.

• Q&A with Zac Veen

Farm director Chris Forbes says the plan is not only to develop those players together, but also to focus on having them win together in the Minors. In 2021, the Rockies' High-A and Single-A affiliates reached the championship series in their leagues. There weren't playoffs in Rookie ball, where Colorado clubs posted the best record in the Arizona Complex League and two of the seven best marks in the Dominican Summer League.

"We're going to put an emphasis on winning in the Minor Leagues now," said Forbes, who was promoted from assistant farm director last June. "We want to get groups of guys playing together and playing to win every night and carrying that up to Colorado.

"That's what happened with us at the end of 2007, when we went to the World Series with a group of guys who played together and won together in the Minors. The expectations of winning help create the dynamic of clubhouse culture."

Veen, Romo and Weatherly likely will start the 2022 season at High-A Spokane. Rock could too, and Montgomery could join them in the second half if his full-season debut goes well. Veen and Romo were high school choices in 2020 and likely will climb through the Minors together.

The pandemic shutdown in 2020 dictated that Veen and Romo could not make their pro debuts in Single-A until they were 19-year-olds last summer, and they thrived. A No. 9 overall pick, Veen batted .301/.399/.501 with 15 homers and 36 steals in 106 games. Known as one of the best defensive catchers to come out of the prep ranks in recent years, Romo also shined at the plate and batted .314/.345/.439 with six homers and 23 steals in 79 contests.

"With Zac and Drew, I like to see the dynamic where their personalities come out," Forbes said. "Both of those guys are great. They're polar opposites. Zac works hard but he kind of has this beach-hippie look, while Drew eats, sleeps and drinks baseball. He has that intangibles package you look for behind the plate."

Veen and Romo played together on travel teams as amateurs, so they already knew each other when they entered pro ball together. Veen said their personalities play well off each other.

"I think we balance each other out pretty well," Veen said. "I think both of us have strengths and weaknesses. When I need to get on some stuff, he's always there to help me, and when he needs to loosen up a little bit, I'll always be there for him."

Camp standout: Ezequiel Tovar

The pandemic affected Tovar more than most Rockies prospects, because he couldn't return to Venezuela for 18 months. Signed for $800,000 in 2017, he's still just 20 and coming off a .287/.322/.475 season with 15 homers and 25 steals in 104 games between Single-A and High-A. He's an outstanding shortstop with a strong arm, hitting ability and 15-homer upside.

Tovar finally got to go home after the Arizona Fall League season and has looked reinvigorated this spring.

"His presence, his intent, how he goes about his work have all been impressive," Forbes said. "He needs to work on his chase. It's about having a plan at the plate and committing to that plan, not chasing sliders off the plate early in at-bats. He could probably catch the ball in the big leagues right now. He's so smooth with his ease of operation."

Breakout potential: Yanquiel Fernandez

After signing for $295,000 at age 16 in 2016, Cuban outfielder Fernandez had to wait until last summer to break into pro ball in the DSL, where he batted .333/.406/.531 with six homers in 54 games. He continued to crush the ball during instructional league, creating anticipation for his full-season debut this year at Single-A Fresno.

"Yanquiel is a physical specimen with huge raw power and a huge arm," Forbes said. "It's a classic right-field profile with a Jesse Barfield arm. He'll see a lot more spin here, so his swing decisions will be critical."

Something to prove: Aaron Schunk

A second-round pick out of Georgia in 2019, Schunk performed well in his pro debut and at Colorado's alternate site the following summer, but he slumped last year in High-A and hit just .224/.286/.346 with a 28 percent strikeout rate. The former college closer continued to display a strong arm and provide quality defense at third base, but he overanalyzed his right-handed stroke, missed too many fastballs and never got untracked.

"Aaron really grinded through last year, but he tinkered with his swing and talked about his swing too much," Forbes said. "This year, let's talk about plan and approach. He's still really good defensive at third base and plays second base as well. He wants the ball."