Colorado Rockies announce instructional league roster

Baseball America published the Rockies’ instructional league roster today, headlined by two of the team’s top prospects, Brendan Rodgers (PuRP No. 3) and Riley Pint (PuRP No. 5).

The roster includes 50 prospects mostly from A-ball and lower with a few exceptions. All of those exceptions, except for Yency Almonte and Sam Howard, are in instructional league for rehab purposes. The rehabbing players include Jairo Diaz and Miguel Castro, who may be part of the Rockies bullpen plans for next year. Antonio Senzatela, who missed most of the past season, will also be continuing his rehab work.

Wander Cabrera leads a short list of five players making their stateside debut from the Dominican Summer League. Cabrera continued to dominate the DSL this past year for the Rockies after being acquired from the Cubs in exchange for Rex Brothers and is expected to play for either Grand Junction or Boise next year.

The instructional league is mostly scrimmages and practices and is used by the teams to continue the development of some of their younger players instead of just sending them home on their own for a long winter. While not as well-known as the Arizona Fall League, it can be a good opportunity for players to continue to grow.