Other Names Worth Monitoring:
Andrew Heaney, LHP, Oklahoma State:
Heaney may be the college game's top performer on the mound this year, though his prospect profile doesn't project him quite as high for the draft. Heaney has a lively 93 mph fastball and a slider that gets swings and misses from lefties and righties alike. Rockies' recent history of taking college lefties may leave them passing on Heaney.
Chris Stratton, RHP, Mississippi State:
Junior pop-up player that was the SEC's top pitcher. He can throw four pitches for strikes and has a put away pitch in his plus slider. He's athletic and can repeat his delivery, and should have little trouble reaching number three starter potential. Upside may be no greater, though.
Corey Seager, 3B, HS:
Probably too little too late, but Seager has climbed to the top of an outstanding crop of HS 3B prospects. Offensively, his profile isn't too far out of the range of those of both Dahl and Hawkins, though he isn't the athlete that either are. Here again, 3B has become a tough position to fill at the major league level, so his positional scarcity should help his status.
At this point, it would be a major upset if we haven't already covered the Rockies first round draft pick. The Rockies do have a second first rounder this year (pick 46, thanks Dodgers/Mark Ellis) and should have a chance to add another highly talented prospect to the system. Based on draft rankings from Baseball America, Keith Law, and Perfect Game, the deepest positions at this point of the draft should be HS catching, 3B, and RHP. College players are especially scarce at this point, with the bulk of the talent coming at reliever.
Should the Rockies go high upside HS bat with the first pick, they may want to lean a little more conservatively with their second first rounder, and vice versa. That could be tough given what talent is ranked in that region.
Pierce Johnson, RHP, Missouri State:
Troy Renck tweeted about the Rockies interest in Johnson last night, and as a Colorado prep player, they likely have pretty thorough information on him. Johnson should not be available to Colorado at 46 from a stuff standpoint. Johnson has a four pitch mix with a lively 92-96 mph fastball, power curve, change, and solid cutter. He reminds me some of Aaron Crow and is a similar prospect to Stratton (mentioned above).
Stratton is likely to go 20 picks higher though, since Johnson comes with some medical risks. He has had frequent bouts with forearm tightness, though he's been able to respond positively after his most recent sidelining. If he passes a team's medicals, he could go in the 20's, but few mocks have him there at this point. Upside is similar to Stratton, and would be a perfect complement to one of the HS bats should the Rockies' medical team ok his arm.
Pat Light, RHP, Monmouth:
Light may be a better pick as a second rounder, but he's a college starter that throws in the mid 90's and should stay a starter, and again, that is a scarce profile in this year's draft. His fastball is a little true, but he throws strikes and should post low walk numbers through the minors.
Jeff Gelalich, OF, UCLA:
Probably a little rich for Gelalich at this point, but I really like his well rounded game. Gelalich has a simple swing that should hit for average and power, and has the speed and athleticism to be tried in center. His game is a good fit for Coors Field and though he may never hit for big power, would still be a net positive in an outfield corner.
Travis Jankowski, OF, Stony Brook:
A fairly safe collegiate pick, Jankowski should move quickly through the low minors with an easy contact swing and plus speed. His upside is hard to project with subpar power at this point, but he does have a projectable frame that could add some mass, and some tweaks to his swing could open to more gap power. Should have no problem staying in center and has a good hit tool, but if power doesn't improve, could have a limited ceiling. I don't think his swing falls are so great that they can't be corrected to improve his gap power, and could have similar upside to Gary Brown.
Clint Coulter, C, HS:
An impressively built prospect that may be slightly overvalued for his present build, Coulter has a pro ready frame but tools in need of refinement. The video I've seen shows that Coulter needs refinement on most every aspect of defense, and his bat speed leaves something to be desired from a first rounder, but Coulter has the physicality to muscle balls out of the park, and could be a unique catching prospect should he improve his receiving skills.
Wyatt Mathisen, C, HS:
I've only seen video of Mathisen hitting, but it's good enough to make him a first rounder. He's considered an above average athlete for a catching prospect, but has seen little time at the position. Probably not athletic enough to stay on left side of the infield, where he plays right now.
Carson Kelly, 3B, HS:
Has twice been linked to Colorado in mocks by Perfect Game, Kelly would be great value at this spot. A two way HS player that shows steady defensive tools and plus power potential at the plate. Not as good an athlete as the 3B prospects above, but has enough to handle the position in the pros.
Daniel Robertson, 3B, HS:
Possibly a better athlete than Kelly, I prefer Kelly to Robertson due to his swing and power profile. Robertson is still great value at pick 46, and should have no problem sticking at third. Has soft hands and could be a plus defender at first as well.
Kyle Twomey, LHP, HS:
Very projectable LHP, but his present stuff may make him a slow developer. Proponents are buying into the improvement of his secondary pitches, which are just fringy right now. I really like his fastball movement, though the pitch mainly sits in the high 80's right now. Very lean, long frame with plenty of room to grow. Could be a number two starter, but is a long ways away.
Edwin Diaz, RHP, HS:
Peter Tago 2.0. Diaz is a thinly built power arm with an electric fastball. Diaz has a lot of filling out to do, but there is much to dream on here. Would be a major upside gamble. Ceiling could be front of the rotation, but floor could be A ball.
Max Gillikin, OF, HS:
This may be considered a reach to many, but I'm a big fan of Gillikin, and reports say he's been climbing draft boards all spring. Gillikin was a HS QB at powerhouse Hoover in Alabama, but has a bigger future in baseball. He's a fantastic athlete and a chance for all five tools. His swing has a buggy-whip appearance (think Ian Stewart) and could stand to be toned down a bit, but you can see the athleticism in his swing and he could hit for average and power. Build similar to Tyler Colvin, but Gillikin may be a better athlete. Probably comes off the board in the second or third round, but you won't see me complain if he goes this high.
Brett Mooneyham, LHP, Stanford:
I've been a fan of Mooneyham's since I watched him play his freshman year. Though he may not have reached the potential people saw that season, Mooneyham still has a power profile in a physical LHP build. Command has been an issue, but Mooneyham can get his running FB into the low 90's and flashes decent secondary offerings.
Tony Renda, 2B, California:
Supplemental first is too rich for Renda, and I typically don't like the thought of chasing the next Dustin Pedroia, but Renda can play. He has a nice line drive swing that he can add loft to for power, and has an outstanding approach at the plate. He isn't the flashiest defender, but he gets the job done and I don't see any concern here (he's even played short down the stretch, though that position is too much for his arm).