Rockies prospect rankings: Relievers dominate PuRPs spots 30 through 26

Why did he make the PuRPs list?

Alex Balog is a player who just looks like a MLB pitcher. The 24-year-old right-handed starter is 6'5, 210 pounds and throws his fastball on a steep plane in the 90s with regularity as part of a four-pitch mix. That's a pretty good start to a prospect resume. So why then hasn't Balog distinguished himself as a prospect after four seasons in the organization?

Part of it is health; Balog has been limited to just 30 innings this year (across Modesto and Hartford) after suffering an arm injury in spring training. He lost two months of 2015 to a groin injury, and his first professional season was also cut short due to injury. When he's been healthy, though, there's still something that doesn't square with the stuff --- namely, Balog has a career 6.5 K/9 and 1.38 WHIP despite the aforementioned advantages. It all adds up to a puzzle, but the nice thing about the Rockies system is that success from a prospect like Balog at this point is just an added bonus.

What do the scouts say?

Balog's scouting reports are what has kept him continually on these lists the last few years. Here's MLB.com:

Balog's best pitch is a heavy low-90s sinker, the type of weapon needed to survive in unforgiving Coors Field. While he doesn't miss a ton of bats, he generates a lot of groundouts with his two-seamer. He also has good sink on his changeup, the best of his secondary offerings.

Balog's curveball is better than his slider/cutter, though neither breaking ball grades as better than average. One of the better strike-throwers in Colorado's system, he could emerge as a back-of-the-rotation starter.

Dan Farnsworth of Fangraphs:

The limiting factor is [Balog's] lack of strikeout potential, as none of his pitches project to induce swings and misses in the future.

His control is ahead of his command, but it alone may be strong enough to get him a big league job. He will have to step up his location within in the zone as he progresses to Double-A and Triple-A, but there is some promise here that the Rockies could have a durable number four or five on their hands.

Fastball: 50/55/55 Slider: 40/45/50 Curveball: 40/45/50 Changeup: 40/45/55 Command: 40/45/50
Overall: 40/45/50

28. Parker French (197 points, 31 ballots) -- Preseason Ranking: NR -- High Ballot 9, Mode Ballot 30

How did he enter the organization?

2015 fifth round, University of Texas

Why did he make the PuRPs list?

French made this list mostly on the strength of his numbers this year. Despite being a fifth-round pick last year, the 23-year-old righty starter had very little fanfare as a prospect coming into this year, mostly due to the fact that as a college senior French was likely picked when he was so that the Rockies could save draft slot money for other players. Indeed, French commanded only a $100,000 bonus from Colorado to sign, a figure that was well below slot.

After a decent debut campaign last year at Grand Junction, French has pitched very well this year. He began the year at Asheville, where his 1.17 ERA and 0.91 WHIP over 23 innings quickly proved that a promotion was needed. At Modesto (at a league average age), French has thrown 107 innings with very good results -- 2.61 ERA, 3.82 FIP, 0.95 WHIP, and 1.3 BB/9. He isn't missing a lot of bats (6.4 K/9), but French really has been effective this season.

What do the scouts (and Purple Row) say?

French has yet to be mentioned as a player to watch in Colorado's system by any national prospect writer, though he was given a nice write-up by Baseball Prospectus's Wilson Karaman back in June:

Signed under slot by Colorado as a fifth-round senior-sign last summer. French has a durable frame and moderate athleticism, and he repeats his delivery well despite some effort and violence in the finish. He works off a potent two-seam fastball with solid weight that generates ground ball contact, and he dictates the game pace with an up-tempo style. The change plays well off his fastball, though he lacked feel at times and it shows present immaturity. He struggles to snap off his breaking ball and lacks a swing-and-miss pitch. If the changeup improves he can eat innings at the back of a rotation, and if it doesn't there's still potential bullpen utility on the strength of his solid control of a very heavy sinker.

Karaman clocks French's fastball at 90-93 and grades it as a 50 pitch given its heavy sink, good movement, and strong command. The secondary pitches are below average at present (best is a 40 grade changeup), and those will need to develop if French is going to crack a big league starting rotation.

Bobby DeMuro of this very website had a lengthy piece on French this past spring, including an interview that focused on his low walk rate and his need to work on his approach to lefties.

When's he going to get to the Rockies and how good will he be once he's there?

French has yet to meet a ladder of the minor leagues at which he couldn't pitch well, but unless his secondary pitches improve markedly he probably will soon. Assuming that improvement is made, French would be in line for a late 2018/2019 debut as starter depth or middle relief for Colorado. Because of the stuff profile and the lack of strikeouts I didn't seriously consider French for my list (the only PuRP this time around for which that is the case), but I'm very hopeful to be proven wrong. In all, I'd give French a Future Value of 35+ as an intriguing organizational arm at this point.