Baseball America releases the first Rockies top 10 prospect list of the offseason

The first top 10 prospect list of the offseason appeared this morning, courtesy of Baseball America. And a tantalizing list it is:

1. Jon Gray, RHP

2. David Dahl, OF

3. Brendan Rodgers, SS

4. Jeff Hoffman, RHP

5. Ryan McMahon, 3B

6. Kyle Freeland, LHP

7. Tom Murphy, C

8. Trevor Story, SS/2B

9. Antonio Senzatela, RHP

10. Raimel Tapia, OF

Several of the players are either ready for the majors or very close: Gray, Hoffman, Freeland, Murphy, and Story. Then there are others who are still a couple of years away: McMahon, Senzatela, and Tapia. It would make sense to include Dahl on the latter list, though Baseball American names him as a "possible factor in 2016." Rodgers hasn't even played full season ball yet, but he's stated his ambition to move up the ranks quickly. The ambition will not necessarily translate to reality. Rodgers is thought very highly of, as the list above attests, so imagining a Carlos Correa path isn't as far-fetched as it might seem.

If this mix of talent weren't exciting enough, there are also quite a few absentees who might contribute within the next few years. Pitcher Tyler Anderson might compete for a back-end rotation spot heading into 2016. Pitchers Miguel Castro, Jesus Tinoco, Harrison Musgrave, and Ryan Castellani might each make it as starters, but if they don't they each look like they'll at least be important role players. Finally, second baseman Forrest Wall, infielder Kevin Padlo, and catcher Dom Nunez represent low level position players who might appear on other top ten lists.

Not only could the bottom five names above make a case to be in the top five, but one could also make a list of names from the 11-20 range that would compete with other organization's top 10 prospects.

To a certain extent, every organization's farm system is "boom or bust." Lists like the one above, however, provide enough perspective to suggest that the Rockies' system leans toward "boom."