What's on the Farm? '04 Draft Class

I decided some time ago that I wanted to get to know the Rockies farm system better.  I'm really enjoying the research, and I thought others might enjoy seeing what I find.  Please feel free to give your comments and initiate discussion (or just tell me to "go away").

With Chris Iannetta having a breakout year and Dexter Fowler expected to be patrolling center for the Rockies possibly in the next year, why not start with the 2004 first-year player draft.  (All stats are through 7/23/08)

2004 Draftees through first 5 Rounds

1st (9) Chris Nelson – SS:  Nelson was drafted out of high school, and so at just 22, the Rockies continue to be patient with him (It doesn’t hurt also, that they don’t really have any place to play him).  After a breakout year with High-A Modesto last year, he hasn’t translated that into success at Tulsa this year.  I believe he is currently rehabbing a broken wrist, back in Modesto.

2008 Modesto (3 games) – 3 hits in 9 AB, 1 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 3 K

2008 Tulsa (44 games) - .229/.298/.349 (10 2B, 3 HR, 22 RBI, 37/17 K/BB)

2007 Modesto (133 games) - .289/.358/.503 (42 2B, 7 3B, 19 HR, 99 RBI)

2nd (50) Seth Smith – OF:  Seth seems to be ready for “The Show”.  The Rockies just don’t have any room to give him consistent playing time.  When with the Skysox, he just continues to rake, waiting for the next call-up.

2008 CoSprgs (68 games) - .323/.426/.524 (10 HR, 53 RBI, 46/46 K/BB, 11 SB)

2007 CoSprgs (129 games) - .317/.381/.528 (32 2B, 17 HR, 82 RBI)

3rd (80) Steven Register – RHP:  Register is currently the closer for the SkySox.  He had been taken by the Mets over this past winter’s Rule 5 draft, but when the Mets decided prior to the season even starting that they wouldn’t be able to keep him with the big club, the Rockies gladly took him back.  After saving 37 games in Tulsa last year, he seems to have transitioned to AAA quite nicely. 

2008 CoSprgs (43 games) – 5-1, 44 IP, 15 SV, 41/18 K/BB, .235 BA against

2007 Tulsa (60 games) – 1-3, 58 IP, 37 SV, 48/16 K/BB, .279 BA against

4th (110) Chris Ianetta – C:  Having a breakout year with the Rockies.  Hopefully, he’s there for years to come.

2008 Rockies (57 games) - .277/.377/.429 (13 2B, 10 HR, 40 RBI)

5th (140) Matt Macri – 3b:  Traded 8/15/07 to the Twins for Ramon Ortiz.

2007 CoSprgs (3 games) – In 9 AB prior to trade, he hit 2 doubles and 1 HR

2007 Tulsa (79 games) - .298/.349/.502 (11 HR, 33 RBI, 58 K)

Later Draftees of Note

6th (170) Joe Koshansky – 1b:  Like Seth Smith, there’s not much more for Joe to prove in “The Springs”.  Unfortunately, the Rockies just don’t have room for him right now.  I doubt that Joe would mind a trade.

2008 CoSprgs (84 games) - .277/.357/.557 (18 HR, 78 RBI, 111 K)

2007 CoSprgs (136 games) - .295/.380/.490 (21 HR, 99 RBI, 128 K)

13th (380) Matt Miller – OF:  Matt Miller seems to have figured out AA pitching, and really needs to be promoted.  I’d have to guess that the organization’s gluttony of corner outfielders is preventing the move.

2008 Tulsa (100 games) - .352/.415/.486 (10 HR, 85 RBI, 43/41 K/BB)

2007 Tulsa (126 games) - .262/.337/.395 (11 HR, 61 RBI, 69/42 K/BB)

14th (410) Dexter Fowler – OF:  Fowler is the Rockies center-fielder of the future.  Drafted out of HS, he is only 22 years old.  Baseball America currently ranks him the Rockies #3 prospect, even though two years ago, he was not in the top 10.  And Rotoworld, just this week, ranked him 24th in all the minors in their “Midseason Top 150 Prospects” article.  There’s a chance that Fowler could be patrolling center field at Coors next year.

2008 Tulsa (98 games) - .332/.429/.505 (25 2B, 9 HR, 59 RBI, 79/61 K/BB, 18 SB)

2007 Modesto (65 games) - .273/.397/.367 – Missed latter part of season due to fractured hand