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Rockies prospects Jon Gray, Eddie Butler, Rosell Herrera and David Dahl made it into Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects list, which was released on Wednesday.
Gray received highest ranking of the bunch, coming in at No. 12 overall. The 22-year-old right-hander posted a 1.93 ERA with 51 strikeouts and eight walks in his professional debut despite not being allowed by the Rockies to throw his slider, which is his best secondary pitch. Gray will have the benefit of a full arsenal of pitches while likely starting the season at Double-A Tulsa. As BA mentions in the capsule, if Gray can command his pitches, "watch out."
Butler, who is ranked No. 24 on the list, advanced all the way from Low-A to Double-A in 2013 by surrendering only 30 earned runs in 149⅔ innings, good for a 1.80 ERA. The second-year pro out of Radford struck out nearly a batter per inning while flashing a plus fastball and plus-plus changeup. BA's description of the 22-year-old right-hander suggests an early appearance in Denver if he shows the ability to dominate like he did a year ago.
Herrera appears a little further down the list at No. 86. The toolsy shortstop made up for a horrific 2012 by tearing the cover off the ball in a repeat year at Low-A Asheville in 2013. He hit .343/.419/.515 as a 20-year-old to get himself back on the prospect map. A similarly successful year in Modesto would be extremely telling regarding Herrera's future.
Dahl remained on BA's list, sneaking in at No. 94, after missing most of the 2013 season with an injury. Dahl is only a year removed from a very impressive pro debut and, as BA's blurb notes, has the talent to get right back in the thick of things as long as he doesn't overcompensate for the lost year.
Gray, Butler and Herrera will see action with the big-league club during spring training while Dahl awaits the start of the minor-league campaign.
