The Colorado Rockies find themselves 13.0 games back in the NL West at a 29-41 record. They are well on their way to finishing the year below .500 for the fifth-straight season. Given a half-century straight of poor performances as well as trading a Hall of Fame-level player in Nolan Arenado, it would be easy to assume that the team’s farm system would rank among the best in the league.
However, that is not the case. MLB ranked the team as having the No. 14 ranked farm system before the season started, with Bleacher Report ranking them at No. 14 at the quarter-mark of the season after having them at No. 18 in January.
While being in the middle of the pack is not the worst-case scenario, it is far from where a team with continued disappointing finishes and lack of direction following the free agent signing of Kris Bryant but letting Trevor Story walk wants to be.
After giving the team’s No. 2 2022 prospect Ezequiel Tovar the reigns at shortstop at the big-league level, it looked as if they would start implementing the younger talent based on production.
However, most of their top prospects have struggled mightly so far in 2023. While their No. 1–7 ranked prospects are either 20 or 21 years old, respectively, showing signs of struggling is not a sign of hope for fans.
Furthermore, only four of the team’s top 30 prospects are in AAA, the No. 17, 20, 24, and 28 ranked prospects.
So, how are the top five Rockies prospects faring?
Analyzing the Rockies’ Farm System
No. 1 Rockies Prospect: OF Zac Veen
The 21-year-old first-round pick from 2020 is playing the 2023 season in AA, but his numbers are down from his A-ball statistics, which, although expected, is a worrisome sign.
In A-ball in 2021, Veen sported a .901 OPS while tallying 46 extra-base hits in 106 games. When moving to A+, his production only slowed slightly. After playing 92 games at A+ in 2022 with a .806 OPS, he made the move to AA. From the jump, he began struggling, ending the year slashing .177/.262/.234 with just five extra-base hits through 34 games.
Given his prospect status and perceived raw talent, it made sense to allow him to start 2023 at AA, but his numbers have only slightly improved. Through 45 games, he is slashing .207/.300/.308 with 11 extra-base hits.
Sporting a .607 OPS, the franchise is hoping he can find his groove over the rest of the season as his MLB ETA is currently 2024, something that will not happen with his current production.
Zac Veen's first 228 plate appearances in High-A:
.257/.366/.396 (.762 OPS), 20 years oldYanquiel Fernandez's first 228 plate appearances in High-A:
.336/.388/.630 (.998 OPS), 20 years old https://t.co/XuQ23J3ndC— Luke Hall (@OakTreeStatus) June 8, 2023
No. 2 Rockies Prospect: SS Adael Amador
For the second-straight year, a shortstop sits in the second spot on the Rockies’ farm system. Amador is 20 years old and playing his best professional baseball in 2023. After playing 2021 in rookie ball and 2022 at A-ball, he is now playing in A+.
Like Veen, he is playing well at the level, sporting a .918 OPS with 23 extra-base hits. If he continues to progress at this rate, he may hit his 2025 MLB ETA.
No. 3 Rockies Prospect: C Drew Romo
Always struggling with offensive production from the backstop, Romo hopes to be the answer for the team. Despite that, his strongest tools come defensively in his 60-grade arm and 60-grade fielding.
At the plate, he has struggled in 42 games at AA in 2023. In a lineup with Veen, he is slashing just .219/.260/.342 with 11 extra-base hits for an OPS of .602.
Coors Field will help with offensive production, but struggling at a lower level without highly-rated hit tools is a sign to begin to wonder about his future role. Paralleling Veen, Romo also carries a 2024 MLB ETA
No. 4 Rockies Prospect: OF Benny Montgomery
The second outfielder on the list has moved between rookie ball, A-ball, and A+ over the past three seasons. Currently finding himself playing A+ ball, he is hitting for okay contact but has not found his power stroke.
Slashing .256/.357/.350 through 45 games, he is a few gappers away from decent numbers. Given that he is projected to be a good defender with speed as he has 70-grade speed, 60-grade arm, and 60-grade fielding, his bat just needs to develop the ability to find gaps to be a true contributor in Colorado.
The 20-year-old has a 2025 MLB ETA but that may be extended to allow for extra work on his swing.
No. 5 Rockies Prospect: RHP Gabriel Hughes
The only pitcher in the top five of the Rockies’ farm system, Hughes has been in the system since 2019. Splitting time between AA and A+ thus far in 2023, he has not been particularly dominant at either level.
In 8.2 innings at AA, he has a 13.50 ERA and struggled with command, giving up six walks and three home runs. As for A+, through 37.2 innings, he sports a 5.50 ERA and the same struggles follow him, giving up 3.2 walks per nine innings.
Command is the name of his development as if he can find control. His stuff is above average with high upside and his 2025 MLB ETA entirely relies on his ability to control the zone, something that will be exploited at the major league level if he cannot figure it out, especially at Coors.
Main photo credits:
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Players mentioned:
Nolan Arenado, Kris Bryant, Trevor Story, Ezequiel Tovar, Zac Veen, Adael Amador, Drew Romo, Benny Montgomery, Gabriel Hughes
