The Colorado Rockies currently have one of the strongest third base/shortstop combinations in MLB between Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story. Ryan Vilade probably won’t be in the majors in 2020 but he’s one of the strongest utility infielder prospects in the system.
Ryan Vilade Prospect Report
High School Standout
Vilade was one of the top prep prospects in his draft class. He attended Stillwater High in Stillwater, Oklahoma. He won the Under Armor All-American home run derby that year and was named the top player in Oklahoma as a senior. Vilade originally committed to Oklahoma State but signed with Colorado after they selected him 48th overall in 2017.
Minor League Production
Vilade has moved steadily through the Colorado minor league system. He has played at one level per year since he was drafted. Last year saw Vilade with high-A Lancaster in the California League where he did very well. Vilade slashed .303/367/466 despite being just 20-years-old. That is roughly two full years younger than the league average according to Baseball-Reference.
Vilade’s power finally showed up in Lancaster. He hit 12 home runs as a Jethawk which was more than the previous two seasons combined. He also had 27 doubles and 10 triples, which tied for the league lead. Lancaster is notorious for high levels of offense but sometimes that is what younger players need to spring into their next phase of development. Vilade continued to play shortstop and was ok but he also played almost 400 innings at third base. Colorado’s development system sees Vilade as a utility player so moving him around makes sense until he finds a semi-permanent position.
What Makes Vilade a Top Prospect
Power and versatility are Vilade’s strong points at this stage in his development. He finally proved he can hit for both average and extra bases in high-A ball. There was some concern that his approach at the plate would hold him back but he made some adjustments and was one of the top players in Lancaster. Vilade showed good plate discipline as well with a 16 percent strikeout rate and a nine percent walk rate. His strikeout rate was better than the league average but his walk rate was roughly the same.
It helps that Vilade is trying out new positions as well. Colorado has drafted infield prospects heavily in recent years so moving Vilade to third base in Lancaster is encouraging. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him play in the outfield corners in 2020 either. Finding room on the infield for Vilade long-term is questionable. Giving him a chance to develop outfield reads and paths will help him reach Coors Field more quickly. Versatility is something the Rockies occasionally lack as well so having another option will benefit depth in the future.
What to Expect from Vilade in 2020
Vilade could start the year back in Lancaster but he may move up to AA-Hartford. He would be almost three years younger than the average Eastern League player if he is promoted but Vilade’s bat is moving him right along. Double-A is where prospects start to separate themselves so Vilade will have to keep doing what he has been. Fans should expect Vilade to keep moving around the field as Colorado tries to find him a defensive home. It would make sense for him to play in left or right field more this year considering the strength of the Rockies’ infield prospects.
Vilade will have to dominate in 2020 to have a shot at Triple-A Albuquerque. His defense hasn’t settled enough. He needs to prove that his strong 2019 wasn’t a fluke either. Time in either high-A or Double-A will give Vilade even more exposure to quality pitching. Keeping Vilade at a lower level might even help him focus on the defensive side of the ball and improve that aspect of his game. Vilade is one of the more intriguing prospects in the system but needs more seasoning. Expect a debut sometime in 2021 based on his current play.
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