2. Colton Welker
Minors (AA): 394 plate appearances, .252/.313/.408, 23 doubles, ten homers, 32 walks, 68 strikeouts
Considered a top 100 prospect prior to the 2019 season, Colton Welker‘s star has faded a bit.
Welker was a bit of an enigma following his senior year in high school, with his up and down season leading to his falling to the Colorado Rockies in the fourth round of the 2016 MLB Draft. However, he began hitting from the moment that he signed, culminating in his winning the 2018 California League batting title. Last year, however, Welker hit the wall of AA, fading his star a bit.
The hitting tool is certainly there for Welker. He has displayed a knack for making hard contact, although his free swinging ways limit his power potential. That is unfortunate, as Welker does have plenty of raw power, but his unrefined approach at the plate does not allow him to be able to find enough pitches to drive. Defensively, he has the arm to play third, but there are questions about whether or not he has the glove to stick at the hot corner.
One of the top hitting prospects in the Rockies organization, his first foray at AA was a disappointment. Welker did have injury concerns, which may have led to his inability to consistently make hard contact. He is likely to start the season at AA once again, but may need a strong showing in 2020 in order to keep from being passed by in the organization. With Nolan Arenado seemingly entrenched at third, and fellow top prospects Michael Toglia and Grant Lavigne at first, Welker’s future may become cloudy.
Colton Welker had hit at every stop in his ascension up the minor league ladder. However, 2020 could be a make or break year for the former top 100 prospect.