After not reaching the playoffs for the past four seasons, the Colorado Rockies have built one of the top MLB farm systems. Over those four seasons, the Rockies have not finished any higher than fourth place in a stacked NL West and have been picking toward the top half of the MLB draft. As a result, they’ve been stockpiling prospects in their system.
The Rockies have five prospects on the new MLB Pipeline top 100 prospect list.
21: SS Adael Amador
54: RF Yanquiel Fernandez
64: RHP Chase Dollander
89: OF Jordan Beck
100: OF Zac Veen— Rockies MiLB Report (@roxmilbreport) August 11, 2023
Top Prospects In the Colorado Rockies Farm System
SS Adael Amador
The switch-hitting Amador was signed as an international free agent in 2019 after being ranked number 16 among MLB’s Top 30 international prospects. As a switch hitter, he is able to show a great approach at the plate from both sides, walking more than he struck out in his first full professional season with the Rockies organization. He is on pace to do the same this season, walking 31 times while only striking out 26 times in 54 total games. With time and maturation, Amador has been able to add strength to his body, which has helped lead to more extra-base potential in his bat. This has led to his ranking as the number 22 prospect in all of baseball by MLB.com and one of the Colorado Rockies’ top prospects in their farm system.
Defensively, Amador is a decent shortstop, but he lacks quickness. Therefore, many believe that he could end up over at second base at some point in his career. If his development in terms of both defense and offense continues on its current trajectory, he is projected to be an everyday middle infielder in the majors.
OF Yanquiel Fernandez
Fernandez was an international signing by the Rockies, also in 2019. The left-handed hitting Fernandez has raw power in his game. Along with the power, he has started hitting to all parts of the field. This is helping him rack up the runs batted in, totaling 82 so far in the 2023 season. Fernandez is now ranked number 54 in the top 100 prospects in baseball. But, a shortcoming to his game at the plate is that his strikeout numbers could use some work. He has struck out 92 times this season while walking only 28 times.
In the field, Fernandez has slotted himself in at the right field spot, with an above-average arm. With all of these attributes to his game, he has drawn player comparisons to Yordan Alvarez of the Houston Astros.
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RHP Chase Dollander
In the 2023 draft, Colorado picked Dollander with the ninth pick of the first round. Since then, he has slotted himself right into the top 100 prospects, coming in at number 64. He was considered one of the top arms in the 2023 draft. His fastball is currently the top pitch in his four-pitch arsenal. It now sits anywhere from 95 to 97 miles an hour and can touch 99 at times. This pitch is seen as an elite-level pitch that has created a lot of swings and misses from opposing batters. Along with the fastball, Dollander possesses a mid-80s slider, mid-70s curveball, and an upper-80s changeup in his arsenal as well.
But the biggest knock on his game is that he needs to work on the improvement of control and command of these pitches. Dollander has yet to pitch for the Rockies organization since being drafted, but he is still viewed as one of the top arms in the farm system.
OF Jordan Beck
Another top 100 prospect in the Rockies organization at number 89, Beck was a competitive balance pick in 2022 by the Rockies, taken 38th overall. Seen as a player who has a great eye at the plate combined with above-average power, he is able to make pitchers pay for giving him a pitch to hit. He is becoming a power hitter in the minors so far, hitting 23 home runs this season in between High-A and Double-A.
The drawback at the plate for Beck is that he’s known to chase pitches more than hoped. This has led to questions on if he will be anything more than just a power hitter throughout his career. So far in the 2023 season, he has struck out a total of 100 times, but he also has a .279 batting average and 60 walks. This signifies that he has been working to improve his plate discipline.
In the field, Beck is seen as more of a corner outfielder due to the arm strength he possesses fitting in well in that spot.
OF Zac Veen
Veen was a first-round pick in 2020, ninth overall by the Rockies. He has been able to develop a swing that can hit to all parts of the field. Veen should be able to grow more into his frame and add some power to his game in the process. He currently stands at 6’4″. Defensively, he fits more of the mold as a right fielder due to his above-average speed.
In 2023, Veen has only been in 46 games and is hitting only .209. Last year was more of a full season for him. In 2022, he put a .245 average together with 12 home runs and 67 runs batted in. Being able to put together another full season in 2024 will be important for Veen.
An end to years of struggling could finally be in sight for the Rockies. With these prospects, Colorado could be looking at more success in the not-so-distant future.
Photo Credit: Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
Players Mentioned: Adael Amador, Yanquiel Fernandez, Yordan Alvarez, Chase Dollander, Jordan Beck, Zac Veen
