Colorado Rockies top ten prospects for 2020

The Colorado Rockies have a decent farm system. They just need to remember that it exists.

For most teams, the farm system is a vital pipeline of talent that can make a major difference in the future of a franchise. The Colorado Rockies are not most teams.

At times, it feels as though the Rockies forget that they have a farm system. Prospects languish in the minors, having nothing left to prove in the upper levels. However, they barely get a look, passed over for retread free agents or trade acquisitions. It seems as though the Rockies organization is where prospects go to metaphorically die.

That does not mean that the Rockies farm system is devoid of talent. They have two players considered to be amongst the top 100 prospects in baseball, as well as two of the top ten first base prospects and a top ten third base prospect. The Rockies do have talent in the minors.

It still comes down to using those players. This is the part that, at times, feels like a disconnect between the front office and player development. However, this could be an area that garners more attention in the coming years, especially as the Rockies look to get back to contending in the NL West.

In time, some of these players could make an impact at the major league level. One just has to wonder if it will be with the Colorado Rockies.

10. Terrin Vavra

Minors (A): 453 plate appearances, .318/.409/.489, 32 doubles, ten homers, 18 steals, 62 walks, 62 strikeouts

Baseball has been a family tradition for the Vavra’s. However, of the professionals to come from his family, Terrin Vavra may be the best of the line.

His father Joe Vavra spent five years in the Dodgers system, topping out at AAA before moving on to coaching, where he is still employed by the Tigers. His brothers, Trey Vavra and Tanner Vavra, spent time in the Twins system before moving on to the Independent Leagues. Terrin, a third round pick by the Rockies in 2018 MLB Draft, is looking to become the first member of the family to reach the majors as a player.

He certainly has the tools to make that a possibility. Vavra has a short, compact swing at the plate, using the middle of the field well and hitting the ball where it’s pitched. His strong batting eye and contact skills lead to a line drive oriented approach, and he shows an ability to drive the ball into the gaps. Defensively, he potentially has the arm to play short, but may be better situated for second.

With Vavra, what you see is what you get. He doesn’t have that high of a ceiling to dream of, as he is not suddenly going to hit 30 homers and be a superstar. However, he also has a high floor, and should be able to be a productive major leaguer, one who can produce in the lineup and on the field.

Terrin Vavra is not the most exciting player, but he has a strong skillset that should make him a part of the Colorado Rockies future.

9. Tyler Nevin

Minors (AA): 540 plate appearances, .251/.345/.399, 26 doubles, 13 homers, 65 walks, 90 strikeouts

If Tyler Nevin could stay healthy, he would be quite an intriguing prospect for the Colorado Rockies.

The son of former All Star Phil Nevin, Tyler is a solid prospect in his own right. He was selected with the 38th overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft, but has been hampered by injuries ever since. Over his first four professional seasons, he appeared in just 236 games, barely getting his career off the ground.

Truly healthy for the first time in 2019, Nevin gave the Rockies a taste of the future. He has an advanced approach at the plate, which is to be expected given his bloodlines, and an ability to get the barrel to the ball with ease. That approach leads to his ability to drive the ball into the gaps and typically hit for a strong average. He has seen action at both corner infield positions, although his long term position could be at first.

There are really two issues when it comes to Nevin. First, he has to prove that he can remain healthy for more than just one year. Second, the Rockies have two better prospects at first base. Any slippage, or another injury from Nevin, and his chance could pass him by before he has the opportunity to seize it.

Tyler Nevin is an intriguing prospect for the Colorado Rockies. If he can stay healthy, he could be a solid piece moving forward.

8. Ben Bowden

Minors (AA, AAA): 51.2 innings, 21 saves, 3.48 ERA, 1.181 WHiP, 24 walks, 79 strikeouts

The Colorado Rockies have struggled to build a lockdown bullpen. Ben Bowden could be a key part of one in the future.

A second round selection in the 2016 MLB Draft, Bowden was considered a possible fast mover. He had a great deal of success as Vanderbilt’s closer that season, and had even started five games as the Commodores showcased their prized pitcher. He certainly appeared capable of advancing rapidly until a bulging disk in his back sidelined him for the 2017 campaign.

Healthy once again, Bowden has gotten back to showing the type of stuff that could make him a closer of the future. The lefty has had his fastball clocked in the upper 90s with excellent late movement. Bowden has a tumbling changeup that he uses well off of his fastball, giving him an excellent combination to keep hitters off balance. He has also been working on a slider, which shows the potential to be another plus pitch.

Given his pure stuff and three pitch arsenal, Bowden would be an intriguing prospect as a starter. However, he has the mentality of a closer – he goes directly after the hitter with a bulldog mentality and impressive tenacity. If his slider can continue to develop, Bowden could be an impact reliever.

Ben Bowden could be a part of the Colorado Rockies bullpen solution. It would not be a surprise to see him get a look at some point in the coming season.

7. Sam Hilliard

Minors (AAA): 559 plate appearances, .262/.335/.558, 29 doubles, 35 homers, 22 steals, 54 walks, 164 strikeouts

Majors: 87 plate appearances, .273/.356/.649, four doubles, seven homers, two steals, nine walks, 23 strikeouts

At 26 years old, Sam Hilliard is a bit old for the prospect ranks. However, his impressive debut with the Colorado Rockies has earned him a spot upon this list.

He was originally a highly regarded left handed pitcher, and was selected as such by the Twins in the 31st round of the 2014 MLB Draft. However, after community college, he went to Wichita State as an outfielder, where he showed the potential to be a five tool player. The Rockies drafted Hilliard in the 15th round a year later, and he has steadily climbed through their system.

On any given day, Hilliard’s impressive tools will be evident. Even though he is still learning how to hit, he has made adjustments to unlock his potential. His swing is quicker, showing his raw power, and allowing him to better control the strike zone. Hilliard has excellent speed and a strong arm, which has helped him as he has played all three outfield positions.

The biggest problem with Hilliard is that he is set to turn 26 years old before the start of the 2020 campaign. Considering his general lack of experience with the bat, and the continued adjustments he has made, it is fair to wonder if he is ready for the majors. His brief stint last season bodes well, but he may not be ready yet.

An athletic player with the potential to be a five tool outfielder, Sam Hilliard is certainly intriguing. But will he be ready to be a full time part of the Colorado Rockies next season?

6. Grant Lavigne

Minors (A): 526 plate appearances, .236/.347/.327, 19 doubles, seven homers, eight steals, 68 walks, 129 strikeouts

The state of New Hampshire has never had a player drafted out of high school reach the majors. Grant Lavigne is hoping to be the first.

Selected with the 42nd overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft by the Colorado Rockies, Lavigne made a strong impression. He led the Pioneer League with a .477 on base percentage, displaying solid power and a surprising amount of speed. However, his ascension slowed a bit last season, his first in full season ball.

That season shows that there is a lot of work to be done. While Lavigne does have solid raw power, his exit velocity is below average, leading to possible adjustments to his swing. He does have an advanced approach in regards to the strike zone, but needs more work on barreling the ball up and making harder contact. However, his impressive athleticism, which has allowed him to be a possible threat on the basepaths despite subpar speed, should help him reach his potential.

The Rockies will need to be patient with Lavigne, but time is certainly on their side. He will be 20 years old for most of the 2020 campaign, making him more than young enough to develop into the player that Colorado envisions. He may climb the organizational ladder slowly, but that is not a knock on his future.

Cold weather prospects typically take longer to reach their potential. Grant Lavigne does not look like he will be an exception to that rule.

5. Ryan Vilade

Minors (A+): 587 plate appearances, .303/.367/.466, 27 doubles, 12 homers, 24 steals, 56 walks, 95 strikeouts

The Colorado Rockies thought that Ryan Vilade would be a future star, but it took him struggling to give them proof.

Selected with the 48th pick of the 2017 MLB Draft, Vilade had an impressive run of success in the Pioneer League. However, he struggled mightily to begin 2018 as he had his first taste of full season action. Instead of hanging his head and feeling as though he was overmatched as a teenager, Vilade worked hard and made the proper adjustments, putting together an excellent second half. That success carried over to the 2019 campaign, cementing his place as one of the Rockies top prospects.

As it is, Vilade has impressive bat speed and a quick swing from the right side. He is still learning to harness his raw power, but further adjustments should allow him to tap into that on a more consistent basis. Vilade is another Rockies prospect with what is considered below average speed, but the athleticism to make up for that, especially on the basepaths.

His makeup and maturity speak volumes, as it is more of a question as to when Vilade will reach the majors, instead of if. There are questions about what his long term position may be, as he has seen action primarily at third and short, but he has the desire to improve and a willingness to play wherever needed. If he adds second and the outfield to his positional experience, his rise to Colorado could be sooner than expected.

The Colorado Rockies have a lot to love when it comes to Ryan Vilade. His ability to play beyond his years bodes well for his future with the franchise.

4. Ryan Rolison

Minors (A, A+): 131 innings, 8-8 record, 4.40 ERA, 1.351 WHiP, 40 walks, 132 strikeouts

Ryan Rolison is the Colorado Rockies best pitching prospect by a wide margin.

Selected with the 22nd overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, Rolison was the third lefty starter taken by the Rockies in the first round during the decade. The other two, Kyle Freeland and Tyler Anderson, became a part of the Rockies rotation. The hope is that Rolison can follow in their footsteps.

It is easy to see why that would be the case. Rolison was an advanced collegiate pitcher, a lefty who used his four pitch arsenal to great effect. His fastball sits in the lower 90s, but Rolison has excellent command with the pitch, spotting it wherever he wants. His curve is easily his best pitch, as it features excellent depth and was considered one of the best curves in his draft class. Rolison also throws a slider and a fading change, two offerings with the chance to, at minimum, be average pitches.

As intriguing as Rolison is, he may actually be a better prospect in another system. His curve is his best pitch, which does not play well at Coors Field. In fact, according to a Fangraphs study done on various pitches in Colorado, the curve has 2.32 inches less break there than in other ballparks. For a pitcher like Rolison, that could be disastrous moving forward.

That does not take away from the type of prospect that Ryan Rolison can be, as he is easily the Colorado Rockies best pitching prospect. It does, however, mean that expectations should be tempered given his arsenal.

3. Michael Toglia

Minors (A-): 176 plate appearances, .248/.369/.483, seven doubles, nine homers, 28 walks, 45 strikeouts

The Colorado Rockies were not going to let their second chance at Michael Toglia pass by.

Colorado had originally drafted the power hitting first baseman in the 35th round of the 2016 MLB Draft, but Toglia decided to head out to UCLA. Three years later, the Rockies once again drafted Toglia, this time with the 23rd overall pick of the 2019 MLB Draft. This time, they were able to sign him, starting his professional career.

When one looks at Toglia, the first thing that is noticed is his power. That raw power comes from both sides of the plate, and more may be on the way as he continues to fill out his 6’5″ frame. Yet, for all of that power, there are questions about his hit tool, as he does not consistently make contact. Defensively, Toglia is athletic enough to play a corner outfield spot, with the arm to handle right, but could be a possible Gold Glove caliber first baseman down the line.

Obviously, there is a lot of projection when it comes to Toglia. He has the type of athleticism and power potential that make evaluators dream of what he could be in the majors. However, he will need to make adjustments at the plate in order to truly tap into his potential. How quickly those adjustments can be made will determine his path.

It took two attempts to bring Michael Toglia into the fold. For the Colorado Rockies, patience was a virtue.

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.