Colorado Prospect Roundup: New Faces and Rockies in New Places for the World Baseball Classic

New Faces

Marc Magliaro was signed by the Colorado Rockies on January 24th to a minor league contract, which in itself isn't a big deal. However, the signing came well after the usual negotiation period for college free agents. This late signing, leads one to wonder how a player could go undrafted and then sign a few weeks before spring training begins?

Well Magliaro was a four-year starter at Rowan University, where he was so well respected by his teammates, they elected him as captain for his senior year. Marc played well as a shortstop, leading his team to a 31-15 record and a slot in the Division III Championship Tournament. Throughout the season Marc proved he was a solid fielder and performed well with the bat, leading his team in both hits and runs scored. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough for Major League teams and he was left undrafted and unsigned after the June Rule 4 Draft.

At one point, thinking his dream of playing professional baseball were over, Marc considered playing in either the Mexican or Puerto Rico Leagues. But that's not where his heart wanted him to be. So he worked on a different approach and focused on his pitching. His senior year he had appeared in eight games without allowing a single earned run and holding opponents to a .115 batting average. So he teamed up with the sports marketing agency ProDynamix and earned a tryout with the Colorado Rockies and the Detroit Tigers. During the tryout they made this video where ultimately, the Rockies coaches and scouts were impressed enough to offer him a contract.

After the signing, Marc exclaimed, "Dreams do come true! I never doubted myself or most importantly that God always had a plan for me."

Marc is scheduled to arrive in Scottsdale on March 1st where he'll begin working out at Salt River Fields with the rest of the Colorado Rockies minor leaguers.

Rockies in New Places

Troy Tulowitzki may have been denied his chance to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, but Rockies prospect David Kandilas has earned the honor to play for his home country of Team Australia. The Australian native is coming off a winter league season where he hit .282/.351/.376 for the Sydney Blue Sox. David was originally signed by the Rockies as a 17 year old out of his native Australia and spent three years in Casper before an injury-filled season in Asheville last year.

David will fly to Taiwan this week to participate in training camp with the rest of Team Australian. Once there, the camp will provide a chance for the team to prepare for its first game on Friday, March 1st at 9:30 PM Mountain time against Chinese Taipai. David is part of an outfield made of mostly Australian League players and headlined by former Mariner Chris Snelling. David and Padres prospect Corey Adamson are the only Australian outfielders currently signed to a Major League team. Considering this fact, David may see significant playing time.

Australia plays in the Pool B bracket of the WBC, which also includes Korea and the Netherlands. Games for Pool B will be played at beautiful Taichung Intercontinental Stadium. After a round-robin format, the top two teams from Pool B will advance to Round 2 of the WBC to be played in Tokyo, Japan.

Tweet of the Week

Can you smell the start of the season? Cut grass, hot dogs and beer!#OneFightOneTeam, #Rockies,#GetMeToTheBallPark #PalmDesertAztecs

— Ryan Garvey (@RyanGarvey32) February 11, 2013

Twitter Pic of the Week

The rain is gone, it's now beautiful out here. #BaseballIsBack instagr.am/p/Vm0ZzGEiwA/

— Salt River Fields (@SaltRiverFields) February 11, 2013