MLB Draft 2014: Potential competitive balance round picks for Rockies

For the second consecutive season, the Rockies have been awarded a selection in the competitive balance round of the MLB Draft. Last season, which was the first year of the system in its current form, Colorado received the third pick of Competitive Balance Round B and used it to select right-handed pitcher Alex Balog with the 70th overall pick.

This time around, the Rockies were lucky enough to nab the first pick in Round A, meaning they'll get a pick at No. 35 to go with their No. 8 and No. 48 overall picks in the first couple of rounds.

The Rockies have picked up some great players around this spot in the past few years. In 2013, Colorado got infielder Ryan McMahon with the No. 42 overall pick. He raked to the tune of a .321/.402/.583 line in his pro debut and has followed that up with a .267/.356/.567 line so far this season. The year before, the Rockies landed Eddie Butler at No. 46 overall, and all he's done is cruise through the lower levels of the organization and establish himself in Double-A in just his third pro season. Butler is currently knocking on the door of the big leagues and should be up at some point within the next couple of months.

Colorado in recent years has also landed Trevor Story, Tim Wheeler, Rex Brothers and Peter Tago with similar picks. Who might the Rox be looking at this year? Here are our best guesses.

Michael Gettys, OF (Video)

Gettys is a two-way high school player from Gainesville, Ga., who has an 80-grade arm that allows him to be a decent pitcher but will be drafted as an outfielder. As you can see from the video, he has a pretty quick swing but his weight prematurely shifts to his front side and he's got a lot of moving parts in his follow-through. If he can harness some of the issues with his swing, he projects as a very good center fielder with average to above-average power.

Monte' Harrison, OF (Video)

Harrison is a three-sport high school star from Lee's Summit, Mo., and currently has a commitment to play football at Nebraska. He certainly fits the mold of players the Rockies like within 10 to 15 picks of this spot; in previous drafts, they've selected multi-sport stars such as, among others, Kyle Parker, Ryan McMahon and Seth Smith here. Harrison has a timing mechanism in his swing that doubles as a method to create torque. He hits the ball really, really hard as a result of that combined with his quick swing. He might be the best overall athlete in the draft, and the Rockies have had success with these types of players in the past.

Kodi Medeiros, LHP (Video)

The Rockies would be fortunate of Medeiros, a high school hurler from Hawaii, drops to them. Medeiros would probably be rated a lot higher if not for his residence and stature (a generous 6'0 and 180 pounds). From a pure pitching standpoint, Medeiros has a lot of promise. He boasts a 92-94 MPH fastball that tails away from right-handers and in toward lefties and a wipeout slider to go with a still-developing change-up. Seeing his delivery and arsenal reminds me a bit of volatile Rockies reliever Rex Brothers.

Derek Hill, OF (Video)

At the plate, Hill -- a high school outfielder from Elk Grove, Ca. -- is extremely quick to the baseball. His swing doesn't generate a lot of power because it is so quiet, but it also could enable him to one day display elite contact skills at higher levels. The real value with Hill is said to be in the field, where he is lightning-quick, rangy and a good route runner. If a team believes Hill can grow into some power, there is little chance he falls all the way to Colorado.

Matthew Imhof, LHP (Video)

If the Rockies go the "projectable" route with this pick, Imhof seems like the prototypical guy. The Cal Poly left-hander doesn't have tremendous stuff, but at 6'5, 220 pounds, he's got the type of size scouts like for a pitcher. Imhof hasn't faced great competition this season and was rocked against UCLA, the best team he faced, but he bounced back nicely against a good Cal State Fullerton squad. Imhof has notched 120 strikeouts and walked 38 in 91⅔ innings for the Big West Champions.

Who do you think the Rockies could -- or should -- go after? Drop your answer(s) in the comments.