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MLB • 1 year ago

Ranking the Colorado Rockies’ Top 10 Prospects Heading Into 2015

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Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Ranking the Colorado Rockies’ Top 10 Prospects Heading Into 2015

General view of a Colorado Rockies hat and glove in the eighth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Coors Field. The Brewers defeated the Rockies 13-10 — Colorado Rockies' Achilles heel has always been pitching. The Rockies have tried to buy them and failed, and they’ve tried to grow them and had some success. Six of the players on this list are hurlers of some form or another. If just three of them make the bigs and have good careers, the Rockies will be playoff-bound sometime soon.

Colorado Rockies' Achilles heel has always been pitching. The Rockies have tried to buy them and failed, and they’ve tried to grow them and had some success. Six of the players on this list are hurlers of some form or another. If just three of them make the bigs and have good careers, the Rockies will be playoff-bound sometime soon.

10. Cristhian Adames, SS

Colorado Rockies shortstop Cristhian Adames (10) throws to first base in the third inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

10. Cristhian Adames, SS

Colorado Rockies shortstop Cristhian Adames (10) throws to first base in the third inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. — “Good field, no hit” is a catchphrase for a reason. It’s really because it’s tougher to hit the ball than catch the ball. Cristhian Adames fits the phrase perfectly. He has range and arm in the field, but the scouts see below-average speed and very limited power. He played in seven games in the bigs last year and on the 40-man this spring, but he’s not supplanting Tulo anytime soon.

“Good field, no hit” is a catchphrase for a reason. It’s really because it’s tougher to hit the ball than catch the ball. Cristhian Adames fits the phrase perfectly. He has range and arm in the field, but the scouts see below-average speed and very limited power. He played in seven games in the bigs last year and on the 40-man this spring, but he’s not supplanting Tulo anytime soon.

9. Scott Oberg, RHP

Colorado Rockies pitcher Scott Oberg poses during photo day at Salt River Fields

9. Scott Oberg, RHP

Colorado Rockies pitcher Scott Oberg poses during photo day at Salt River Fields — Already with a Tommy John surgery under his belt, the 2012 15th round pick is making noise. Scott Oberg has 61 saves in the minors and 33 in single-A Modesto in 2013, so there’s potential as a closer. He's not on the 40-man roster, but has already exceeded expectations.

Already with a Tommy John surgery under his belt, the 2012 15th round pick is making noise. Scott Oberg has 61 saves in the minors and 33 in single-A Modesto in 2013, so there’s potential as a closer. He's not on the 40-man roster, but has already exceeded expectations.

8. Jairo Diaz, RHP

Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Jairo Diaz (49) pitches the sixth inning against the Houston Astros at Angel Stadium of Anaheim

8. Jairo Diaz, RHP

Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Jairo Diaz (49) pitches the sixth inning against the Houston Astros at Angel Stadium of Anaheim — Jairo Diaho is wjo the Rockies received in the Josh Rutledge trade. He has a great chance to make the club because the Rockies always need arms in the bullpen, but there’s no indication he’ll be the fireman Colorado needs.

Jairo Diaho is wjo the Rockies received in the Josh Rutledge trade. He has a great chance to make the club because the Rockies always need arms in the bullpen, but there’s no indication he’ll be the fireman Colorado needs.

7. Tom Murphy, C

Colorado Rockies catcher Tom Murphy poses during photo day at Salt River Fields.

7. Tom Murphy, C

Colorado Rockies catcher Tom Murphy poses during photo day at Salt River Fields. — A third-rounder in 2012, he has hopped onto Colorado’s radar because he has displayed a catcher's gift for being a leader and handler of pitchers who can be a little temperamental. He's not on the 40-man roster, but with starting catcher Willin Rosario on the trading block, Murph may get a chance sooner than later.

A third-rounder in 2012, he has hopped onto Colorado’s radar because he has displayed a catcher's gift for being a leader and handler of pitchers who can be a little temperamental. He's not on the 40-man roster, but with starting catcher Willin Rosario on the trading block, Murph may get a chance sooner than later.

6. Rosell Herrera, CF

World infielder Rosell Herrera hits a single in the 7th inning during the All Star Futures Game at Target Field.

6. Rosell Herrera, CF

World infielder Rosell Herrera hits a single in the 7th inning during the All Star Futures Game at Target Field. — The Dominican Republic native has had an up-and-down minor league career recently. While he was the Sally League MVP in 2013, a wrist injury limited him last season, but he still represented Colorado at the Futures game (shown). And even though he’s listed on the 40-man as an infielder, the Rockies are converting him to center field. Manager Walt Weiss has taken an interest in the kid, which is a very good sign for his future.

The Dominican Republic native has had an up-and-down minor league career recently. While he was the Sally League MVP in 2013, a wrist injury limited him last season, but he still represented Colorado at the Futures game (shown). And even though he’s listed on the 40-man as an infielder, the Rockies are converting him to center field. Manager Walt Weiss has taken an interest in the kid, which is a very good sign for his future.

5. Kyle Freeland, LHP

A general view of Coors Field in the third inning of the game between the San Francisco Giants and the Colorado Rockies

5. Kyle Freeland, LHP

A general view of Coors Field in the third inning of the game between the San Francisco Giants and the Colorado Rockies — The Denver native was drafted with the 8th pick in 2014 and is listed as the seventh-best left-handed prospect overall. He's not on the 40-man roster, but will get a good look in the spring; guys who can top out at 96 with a cutter near 90 will have those things happen. He's a long shot to make the club immediately, but will probably achieve the home team dream before the year is out.

The Denver native was drafted with the 8th pick in 2014 and is listed as the seventh-best left-handed prospect overall. He's not on the 40-man roster, but will get a good look in the spring; guys who can top out at 96 with a cutter near 90 will have those things happen. He's a long shot to make the club immediately, but will probably achieve the home team dream before the year is out.

4. Kyle Parker, 1B

Colorado Rockies first baseman Kyle Parker (16) during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field.

4. Kyle Parker, 1B

Colorado Rockies first baseman Kyle Parker (16) during the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field. — At Clemson, Kyle Parker became the first player in history to throw for 20 TDs and hit 20 HRs in the same school year. He began as a corner outfielder but is now at first base, as you can tell. In the minors, Parker hit at least 21 round-trippers every season. He could make the big club as a utility big man, but Justin Morneau is pretty entrenched.

At Clemson, Kyle Parker became the first player in history to throw for 20 TDs and hit 20 HRs in the same school year. He began as a corner outfielder but is now at first base, as you can tell. In the minors, Parker hit at least 21 round-trippers every season. He could make the big club as a utility big man, but Justin Morneau is pretty entrenched.

3. Tyler Anderson, LHP

Pitcher Tyler Anderson #30 of the Colorado Rockies poses for a portrait during spring training photo day at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 21, 2013 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

3. Tyler Anderson, LHP

Pitcher Tyler Anderson #30 of the Colorado Rockies poses for a portrait during spring training photo day at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 21, 2013 in Scottsdale, Arizona. — An ace at Oregon in college, Colorado took Tyler Anderson with the 20th pick in 2011. He’s on the 40-man roster, and this is his best chance to make the big club out of Spring Training so far. A recent elbow stress fracture means the Rockies will keep an eye on him, but this is his big opportunity.

An ace at Oregon in college, Colorado took Tyler Anderson with the 20th pick in 2011. He’s on the 40-man roster, and this is his best chance to make the big club out of Spring Training so far. A recent elbow stress fracture means the Rockies will keep an eye on him, but this is his big opportunity.

2. Eddie Butler, RHP

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Eddie Butler (31) in the first inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

2. Eddie Butler, RHP

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Eddie Butler (31) in the first inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. — In the middle of a big losing streak last season, Colorado brought the highly-touted 2012 1st round supplemental pick to the big leagues, and he didn’t perform well in three starts. So now he’s a bust? Far from it. Willie Mays started his major league career 0-23. Nolan Ryan was an afterthought for his first five years until the Mets traded him to the Angels. Sandy Koufax was very close to quitting or being released. The Butler can still serve.

In the middle of a big losing streak last season, Colorado brought the highly-touted 2012 1st round supplemental pick to the big leagues, and he didn’t perform well in three starts. So now he’s a bust? Far from it. Willie Mays started his major league career 0-23. Nolan Ryan was an afterthought for his first five years until the Mets traded him to the Angels. Sandy Koufax was very close to quitting or being released. The Butler can still serve.

1. Jon Gray, RHP

Jon Gray #55 of the Colorado Rockies poses for a portrait during Photo Day at the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 26, 2014 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

1. Jon Gray, RHP

Jon Gray #55 of the Colorado Rockies poses for a portrait during Photo Day at the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 26, 2014 in Scottsdale, Arizona. — The No. 3 pick in the 2013 draft out of Oklahoma, he has been on “next best pitcher” lists since then, but Colorado isn’t rushing him along. Unlike several people on this list, he’s not on the 40-man roster heading into Spring Training. The takeaway is that he won’t be given a roster spot on reputation alone. He may crack the big club at some point this year, but 2016 is likely his time to shine, unless he impresses too much to keep out.

The No. 3 pick in the 2013 draft out of Oklahoma, he has been on “next best pitcher” lists since then, but Colorado isn’t rushing him along. Unlike several people on this list, he’s not on the 40-man roster heading into Spring Training. The takeaway is that he won’t be given a roster spot on reputation alone. He may crack the big club at some point this year, but 2016 is likely his time to shine, unless he impresses too much to keep out.

Alex Drude is a Pac-12 writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Alex_Drude. “Like” him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google+.

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Alex Drude is a writer for RantSports.

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