The Colorado Rockies have signed undrafted free agent Tanner Propst to a contract. Propst joins catcher Luke Leisenring as the second undrafted player signed to the Rockies organization. Nick Groke of The Athletic announced the deal over the weekend.
Rockies added LHP Tanner Propst out of Delta State as an undrafted free agent. That's two undrafted signees now, along with C Luke Leisenring, a Golden native from USC Aiken. They also signed RHP Chris McMahon, their second-round pick from The U.
— Nick Groke (@nickgroke) June 26, 2020
Rockies Sign Tanner Propst
Propst is a 6’0″, 185-pound left-handed pitcher originally from Madison, Mississippi. He began his career at Louisiana Tech but transferred to Division II Delta State for his junior year in 2020. He has only pitched relief in his college career but he was having a fine season before the NCAA canceled the remainder of the season. Propst had a 3.72 ERA and 17 strikeouts compared to just two walks in 9 2/3 innings. He only pitched four innings for Louisiana Tech but 2020 was shaping up to be Propst’s best season by far. Propst also pitched in the Northwoods Summer League for two summers with a combined 4.06 ERA and 84 strikeouts and 40 walks in 57 2/3 innings.
There isn’t much on Propst’s pitch repertoire but his college stats indicate a hard-throwing lefty with low movement and average control. He can throw plenty of strikes with a career mark of 13.8 strikeouts per nine innings. However, he allowed nearly 1.3 home runs per nine against NCAA competition. Propst also only allowed 1.9 walks per nine innings as a junior but his combined walk rate from summer baseball was a dreadful 6.2. More will reveal itself as Propst starts to engage with Colorado’s development staff.
What This Means for the Future
The Rockies have been successful signing the majority of their draftees to this point. Zac Veen, Chris McMahon, Sam Weatherly, Case Williams, and Jack Blomgren have all agreed to deals. The lone holdout is supplemental pick, Drew Romo. The team still has until August 1st to sign Romo so there’s no reason to worry yet. All draft picks plus Leisenring and Propst will start working out with development personnel when MLB has a plan in place for minor league players.
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