The 2023 season could arguably be one of the worst in the Colorado Rockies 31-year history. Colorado had its first 100-plus loss season, finishing at 59-103. The Rockies pitching staff posted an ERA of 5.69. That’s the second-worst in franchise history. The fans in Colorado are pretty faithful, as this team has not seen the postseason since 2018, but even then, it was a quick finish as they were swept in three games by the Milwaukee Brewers. Colorado has four prospects on the MLB’s Top 100 Prospects list. Two are listed on the Rockies 40-man roster and will likely make their MLB debuts in 2024 or 2025. When these prospects debut with the Rockies, they must make an immediate but long-lasting impact. Colorado always finds great players like a needle in a haystack, but they always leave for a bigger market or fall off entirely.
Four Rockies Prospects That Must Make an Impact
81. Jordan Beck (Outfielder)
Outfielder Jordan Beck played three seasons with the Volunteers at the University of Tennessee. Colorado would draft Beck 38th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft. During the 2023 season with the High-A Spokane Indians, Jordan won Northwest League Most Valuable Player. Since then, he’s been promoted to Double-A and plays with the Hartford Yard Goats. In 2022, his final season with the Volunteers, Jordan Beck collected 75 hits, 18 home runs, six stolen bases, and 61 runs batted in. If the right-handed batter continues to dominate the minors and keeps earning promotions, we could see Beck in a Rockies jersey as early as the 2025 season.
72. Yanquiel Fernandez (Outfielder, Rockies 40-man Roster)
Outfielder Yanquiel Fernandez sits on the Rockies 40-man roster and will experience some Spring Training action. Fernandez is a native of Cuba. Even though he signed a 295,000-dollar contract, he had to wait until 2021 at the Dominican Summer League to make his pro debut. During the 2023 season, Yanquiel hit the first cycle in 40 years for the High-A Spokane Indians. He was promoted to Double-A, where in 56 games, he had eight homers and 25 runs batted in. Even though he had a great 2023 season, we must wait for his performance during the Rockies spring training. If he does well; expect the right-handed outfielder to debut late in the 2024 season.
52. Chase Dollander (Right-Handed Pitcher)
Right-handed pitcher Chase Dollander was drafted ninth overall by the Rockies during the 2023 MLB Draft. Dollander played two seasons at the University of Tennessee. Chase started 17 games in 2023, posting a 7-6 record. In 2022, Dollander had 14 starts and 16 appearances overall, where he had a 10-0 record. The right-handed pitcher finished his college career with a 3.64 ERA and 228 strikeouts. As badly as they need the pitching, Colorado will have to wait until they see the likes of this prospect in the big leagues. Chase isn’t projected to make his MLB debut on the mound until 2026. The Rockies must hope that Dollander is the answer they need on the mound.
28. Adael Amador (SS/2nd Base, Rockies 40-man Roster)
Amador is a well-known amateur player in the Dominican Republic. He played with the DR’s U15 team before signing with the Rockies in 2019. Adael made his debut in 2021 in the Arizona Complex League. At just 20 years old, Amador played 54 games with the High-A Spokane Indians. The young infielder put up 67 hits, 12 stolen bases, nine home runs, and 35 batted in before being promoted to Double-A. Adael played ten games with the Hartford Yard Goats but struggled, posting a .143 batting average. While he’s currently on the 40-man roster, the Rockies may need time to develop this young infielder into a star. Hopefully, we can see Adael Amador debut by the end of 2024, if not in the starting lineup in 2025.
Main Photo Credits: Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
