Purple Row - Purple Row Prospects List, Winter 2014-15Of, by, and for Rockies fans. Every day.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/32779/pr-logo-fv.jpg2015-02-02T13:16:51-07:00http://www.purplerow.com/rss/stream/71848722015-02-02T13:16:51-07:002015-02-02T13:16:51-07:00The full top 30 PuRPs list
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<figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Here is the full PuRPs list, including at least one player who recently left the organization.</p> <p>After revealing the Purple Row community Rockies prospect list one at a time, it's time to wrap up the series by showing the whole list at once. So without further ado, here is the full Winter 2014/2015 Purple Row community prospect list:</p>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;" width="242" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="2">
<colgroup> <col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 1426; width: 29pt;" width="39"> <col style="mso-width-source: userset; mso-width-alt: 5083; width: 104pt;" width="139"> <col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"> </colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 13.5pt;" height="18">
<td style="height: 13.5pt; width: 29pt;" width="39" class="xl68" height="18"><b>Rank</b></td>
<td style="border-left: none; width: 104pt;" width="139" class="xl68"><b>Player</b></td>
<td style="border-left: none; width: 48pt;" width="64" class="xl68"><b>Total</b></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 13.5pt;" height="18">
<td style="height: 13.5pt;" class="xl65" height="18">1</td>
<td style="border-left: none;" class="xl69"><span>Jon Gray</span></td>
<td style="border-left: none;" class="xl70">476</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt; border-top: none;" class="xl65" height="17">2</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl66"><span>David Dahl</span></td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl73">455</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt; border-top: none;" class="xl65" height="17">3</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl66"><span>Eddie Butler</span></td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl73">447</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt; border-top: none;" class="xl65" height="17">4</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl67">Kyle Freeland</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl71">424</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt; border-top: none;" class="xl65" height="17">5</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl67">Raimel Tapia</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl73">410</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt; border-top: none;" class="xl65" height="17">6</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl67"><span>Tyler Anderson</span></td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl71">379</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt; border-top: none;" class="xl65" height="17">7</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl66">Ryan McMahon</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl73">377</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt; border-top: none;" class="xl65" height="17">8</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl67"><span>Trevor Story</span></td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl71">360</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt; border-top: none;" class="xl65" height="17">9</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl67">Forrest Wall</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl71">358</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt; border-top: none;" class="xl65" height="17">10</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl67"><span>Rosell Herrera</span></td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl71">323</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt; border-top: none;" class="xl65" height="17">11</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl67"><span>Kyle Parker</span></td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl71">314</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt; border-top: none;" class="xl65" height="17">12</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl66"><span>Tom Murphy</span></td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl73">299</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt; border-top: none;" class="xl65" height="17">13</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl67">Dom Nunez</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl71">281</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt; border-top: none;" class="xl65" height="17">14</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl66">Antonio Senzatela</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl73">270</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt; border-top: none;" class="xl65" height="17">15</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl67"><span>Cristhian Adames</span></td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl71">256</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt; border-top: none;" class="xl65" height="17">16</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl66"><span>Ryan Casteel</span></td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl73">232</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt; border-top: none;" class="xl65" height="17">17</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl67"><span>Jayson Aquino</span></td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl71">196</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt; border-top: none;" class="xl65" height="17">18</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl66">Alex Balog</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl73">157</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt; border-top: none;" class="xl65" height="17">19</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl67">Ryan Castellani</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl73">140</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt; border-top: none;" class="xl65" height="17">20</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl67">Kevin Padlo</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl71">136</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt; border-top: none;" class="xl65" height="17">21</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl67">Correlle Prime</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl73">112</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt; border-top: none;" class="xl65" height="17">22</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl67">Pat Valaika</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl71">100</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt; border-top: none;" class="xl65" height="17">23</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl67">Helmis Rodriguez</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl73">99</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt; border-top: none;" class="xl65" height="17">24</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl66"><span>Jose Briceno</span></td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl73">96</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt; border-top: none;" class="xl65" height="17">25</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl66">Hamlet Marte</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl73">95</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt; border-top: none;" class="xl65" height="17">26</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl66"><span>Wilfredo Rodriguez</span></td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl73">81</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt; border-top: none;" class="xl65" height="17">27</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl67">Jordan Patterson</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl73">76</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt; border-top: none;" class="xl65" height="17">28</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl67"><span>Jairo Diaz</span></td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl73">56</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 12.75pt;" height="17">
<td style="height: 12.75pt; border-top: none;" class="xl65" height="17">29</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl67">Johendi Jiminian</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl73">53</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 13.5pt;" height="18">
<td style="height: 13.5pt; border-top: none;" class="xl65" height="18">30</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl72">Sam Moll</td>
<td style="border-top: none; border-left: none;" class="xl74">47</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p>In this edition of the PuRPs poll, 16 ballots were cast, with 30 points being granted for a first place vote, 29 for second, etc. Until a player was named on six ballots, his vote totals were modified on a sliding scale to avoid an individual ballot having too much say over the community forecast -- none of the players on this edition of the list was listed on fewer than six ballots.</p>
<p>It was a runaway first place performance by Jon Gray in this edition of the PuRPs poll. Gray garnered 12 of the 16 first place votes and 476 of 480 possible points, while David Dahl got three and Eddie Butler one. Dahl and Butler were very closely matched, but all but one of Dahl's votes were in the top three while Butler had more down-ballot votes. Beyond those two, Kyle Freeland was a clear fourth and Raimel Tapia an easy fifth. Tyler Anderson edged out Ryan McMahon for sixth, while Trevor Story just eclipsed Forrest Wall for eighth.</p>
<p>There was a pretty good consensus about the top nine prospects, forming a clear tier of players that the electorate felt were potential MLB impact players. Similarly prospects 10-17 were consensus members of the PuRPs list, as all of them were named on each ballot. Indeed, there seemed to be consensus across most of the list, as only two PuRPs were named on less than 10 ballots. Looking back on past PuRPs lists, it appears that Colorado's farm system is about the same as the summer 2014 or a little weaker.</p>
<p>This time around we lost PuRPs No. 10 <span>Tyler Matzek</span> (MLB service time), No. 13 Dan Winkler (Rule 5), No. 26 <span>Taylor Featherston</span> (Rule 5), and No. 28 <span>Chris Martin</span> (trade). Both Jose Briceno (No. 24) and Jayson Aquino (No. 17) were in the organization at the time of the voting (and Aquino might still come back), so they will remain on the list for now. From this June's draft, four picks made this edition of the list.</p>
<p>Some more notes:</p>
<ul>
<li>In all, 17 players were on every ballot, 59 players received at least one vote for this PuRPs list (down from 68 last time), 42 got mentioned on multiple ballots, 32 were named on at least six ballots (and therefore were unmodified), and all of the top 27 were named on at least 10 ballots, showing that most of the list was more or less agreed upon by the community, if not necessarily the order. Here is a <a href="http://www.purplerow.com/2014/12/8/7358707/rockies-prospects-list-winter-2014-poll">link to the polling thread</a>.</li>
<li>If you've done the math right, you've realized that four new players made this winter's PuRPs list. The new entrants to the list are Briceno (24, one and done), Hamlet Marte (25), Jairo Diaz (28), and Johendi Jiminian (29).</li>
</ul>
<p>Here are the five players who came closest to inclusion on the Winter 2014/2015 PuRPs List:</p>
<p>35. <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=tauchm000mic"><b>Michael Tauchman</b></a> (8 points, 2 ballots), 2013 10th Round, OF at High A (24)<br>34. <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=julio-000eri"><b>Erick Julio</b></a><b> </b>(18 points, 4 ballots), 2013 FA (CO), RHP in DSL (18)<br>33. <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=oberg-000sco">Scott Oberg</a> </b>26.7 points, 5 ballots), 2012 15th Round, RHP in AA (24)<br>32. <b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=paulse001ben">Ben Paulsen</a> </b>(37 points, 6 ballots), 2009 3rd Round, 1B/OF in AAA/MLB (27)<br>31. <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=jimene000eme"><b>Emerson Jimenez</b></a> (44 points, 8 ballots), 2011 FA (DR), SS in Low A (20)</p>
<p>Breaking the list down by position, there are <b>12 pitchers</b> (11 of them are nominally starters, six are righties, five are southpaws, three are in the top four but only four are in the top 13), <b>four middle infielders</b>, <b>five outfielders</b> (three wo of which could play CF, depending on the scout you ask), <b>six catchers, </b>and <b>three corner infielders</b>. It looks like there will be several top prospects that will be MLB ready all in the next year or two, so it won't be long before we start seeing some of these guys producing for the <a href="https://www.purplerow.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rockies</a>.</p>
<p>With that, I declare the Winter 2014/2015 Purple Row Prospects List complete. Happy prospecting!</p>
https://www.purplerow.com/2015/2/2/7951413/rockies-prospect-rankings-jon-gray-david-dahl-eddie-butlerJeff Aberle2015-01-29T17:28:14-07:002015-01-29T17:28:14-07:00PuRP No. 1: Jon Gray
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<figcaption>Rob Tringali/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Gray pitched with training wheels on and wore down a bit as the season went on in 2014, but he's still every bit the potential No. 1 starter he was projected to be a year ago.</p> <div>
<p style="font-weight: bold;"><i style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; font-weight: normal;">Editor's note: We've made a change with the PuRPs list this year, deciding to unveil each player individually over the course of a few weeks. To keep track of the rankings, keep checking our PuRPs list <a style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #433c85; font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.purplerow.com/2014/12/19/7420831/purple-row-prospects-list-winter-2014" target="_blank" data-ref-index="6">StoryStream</a>.</i></p>
<p style="font-weight: bold;"><b>PuRP No. 1: </b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=gray--001jon">Jon Gray</a><b> (476 points, 16 ballots) | Summer 2014 Ranking: 1 | High Ballot 1 (12), Mode Ballot 1</b></p>
<div>
<p>Gray, a 23-year-old RHP who spent his age 22 season at Double-A Tulsa, was Colorado's first round draft pick in 2013 and probably has the highest ceiling of any pitcher the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> have ever drafted: a true number one starter. The third overall pick out of Oklahoma was the top player on my draft board that year, so I was thrilled that he slid to the Rockies, who also managed to sign him for an under-slot (but still record) bonus of $4.8 million.</p>
<p>Gray's professional debut in 2013 was nothing short of explosive: a 1.93 ERA, 0.88 WHIP, and 12.3 K/9 over 37 innings. That included a couple of starts in which Gray was instructed to work on new pitches. In Modesto, Gray had four starts and 24 innings pitched, during which he posted an 0.75 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, and 13.5 K/9. That's preposterous.</p>
<p>In 2014, the Rockies once again were working with Gray to refine his arsenal, and as such he was slightly less explosive at. Normally, a 3.91 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 8.2 K/9 performance over 124 1/3 IP against opponents that were on average 2.5 years older would be excellent.<span> </span><span>Gray</span> is no ordinary prospect though, and there are concerns that the Rockies are reining him in unnecessarily and trying to turn him into a pitch-to-contact, groundball pitcher.</p>
<p>That's a pitcher that he's just not. Gray at his best is a firebreathing, unhittable terror with an upper 90s fastball, filthy slider, and a developing changeup. Both the fastball and slider have been ranked by some as being the best versions of those pitches among <i>any</i> prospect in the minor leagues, and it would be a shame if Gray were being steered away from using them at their full potential. I don't think the Rockies will have such a leash on him when he does make it to the Show, but as fans we just want to see what he can do.</p>
<p>The combination of stuff, results, and prospect pedigree is what have most lists putting Gray among the very top echelon of minor league pitchers. <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/11223667/mlb-keith-law-top-50-mlb-prospects?refresh=true">Keith Law ranked him seventh overall</a> in his midseason list, making Gray his top pitching prospect. Here were his comments:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The former Oklahoma starter hits 99 mph regularly as a starter and pitches with a plus fastball and plus slider ... (Gray) projects as [the Rockies'] eventual No. 1 starter.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><a href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=24076">Jason Parks ranked him 11th on the Baseball Prospectus midseason top 50</a>. An excerpt of the comments:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>This is a future frontline arm with bat-missing stuff, and once the training wheels come off at the highest level, this ranking will look too conservative.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Gray was also <a href="http://www.minorleagueball.com/2014/7/14/5898649/minor-league-ball-top-75-prospects-mid-season-update-2014-sickels">10th overall on Jon Sickels's list </a>and <a href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/midseason-top-50-injury-cant-knock-buxton-1/">8th on Baseball America's</a> (top pitcher there too).</p>
<p>In Baseball Prospectus's 2015 top Rockies prospects list, <a href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=25243">Nick Faleris had Gray up top</a> with a 70 overall future potential and a realistic 60 (No. 3 starter) floor:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><b>Strengths</b>: Workhorse build with physicality and aggressiveness on the bump; confident pounding the zone with upper-90s heater; triple-digit capable; fastball plays across quadrants; wipeout slider works in and out of zone; elite two-pitch combo with parallel plane and release; developmental focus on change piece, flashing hard fade and deception; frontline offerings so good even average changeup will miss bats and barrels; can flip script with change-of-pace curve.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; line-height: 16px;"><b>Weaknesses</b>: Changeup still lags relative fastball/slider; can struggle on both ends, implementing too firm or alternatively slowing arm and tipping; content pitching to contact and limited pitch count leave some question as to how dominant the stuff might be against top-tier bats; some stiffness in landing likely limits command ceiling.</p>
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<div></div>
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<p>Observing Gray in 2014 was akin to witnessing a bartender utilize a bottle of Lagavulin 16 to pour you a glass of Johnny Black -- the result was perfectly satisfying, but lacked the impact and finish you anticipated upon spying the distinctive glass. The body, control, and quality of weaponry is everything you'd expect in an elite power arm, but Colorado's conservative guidance this past summer left evaluators more reliant on projection than typical when grading out an advanced Double-A arm with loud present stuff.</p>
<p>Even with a focus on developing his third-best offering and pitching to contact, the former Sooner still found success, regularly inducing soft contact from Texas League bats thanks to his ability to generally live around the zone with two double-plus offerings, and it's tough to envision him failing to rack up strikeouts once permitted a slightly longer leash via pitch count and pitch selection. There is little doubt that Gray will be a valuable major-league asset, and anything shy of number three production, even in the challenging Coors environs, would come as a surprise. He should start 2015 in Triple-A, but may not face the requisite resistance to truly refine until he faces major-league lineups capable of handling his electric arsenal.</p>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<p>Kiley McDaniel of FanGraphs <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/evaluating-the-prospects-colorado-rockies/">also had Gray atop his Rockies prospect list</a>, giving him a 60 Future Value grade:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Gray created tons of buzz midway through the 2013 spring coming from out of nowhere to hit 100 mph often, with a plus slider. I was lower on him than most, ranking him behind <span>Mark Appel</span> and <span>Kris Bryant</span> before the draft for a few reasons. It was new velocity we hadn't seen before and we didn't know if his body could handle (it has so far), it showed up on six days rest which would be reduced by 2 days each outing in pro ball, and if his arm speed slowed (as it does over time for every pitcher) so much of his value was tied to arm speed (his command was/is below average) that it would take all of his stuff down a notch and reduce the #1 starter upside people were putting on him.</p>
<p>Since signing, Gray's velocity has been down some, mostly sitting 91-94 and hitting 95 mph but Rockies sources say this is intentional and he's working on some things (they already smoothed out his delivery), which scouts assumed after Gray hit 98 mph in a short All-Star Game appearance. I think he'll settle at 92-94 with more movement and command, the slider is still plus and the changeup has its moments. Scouts are a little concerned that Gray is a below average athlete and the command still isn't quite there yet. Since the stuff is so good, that lesser command would just make him a 3/4 starter rather than a 2/3.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>To summarize, the stuff Gray showed this year is reflective of an ace ceiling with a floor of a mid-rotation starter or shutdown reliever at the MLB level, which is why I (along with most of the electorate) placed Gray as the top PuRP. I hope the Rockies will start Gray in Triple-A for a little more seasoning, with a midseason call-up hopefully in store if he proves ready. Whatever the timeline, I'm extremely excited for the Jon Gray era, and you should be too.</p>
<div>
<p>Quite simply, Gray is one of the top five pitching prospects in the minor leagues and is a top 20 prospect in all of baseball. Please don't screw this up, Rockies.</p>
<p><b>Contract Status</b><b>:</b> 2013 first round, not Rule 5 eligible, three options remaining</p>
<p><b>MLB ETA</b>: 2015</p>
</div>
https://www.purplerow.com/2015/1/29/7948455/jon-gray-rockies-prospects-pitchingJeff Aberle2015-01-28T17:19:58-07:002015-01-28T17:19:58-07:00PuRP No. 2: David Dahl
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<p>Dahl recovered nicely from a lost 2013 season. If what will likely be a quick move through the organization results in further success, perhaps the Andrew McCutchen comparison will ring true.</p> <div>
<p style="font-weight: bold;"><i style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #292929; font-family: 'Mercury SSm A', 'Mercury SSm B', Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 24px;">Editor's note: We've made a change with the PuRPs list this year, deciding to unveil each player individually over the course of a few weeks. To keep track of the rankings, keep checking our PuRPs list <a style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #433c85; font-weight: bold;" data-ref-index="5" target="_blank" href="http://www.purplerow.com/2014/12/19/7420831/purple-row-prospects-list-winter-2014">StoryStream</a>.</i></p>
<p style="font-weight: bold;"><b>PuRP No. 2: </b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=dahl--000dav">David Dahl</a><b> (455 points, 16 ballots) | Summer 2014 Ranking: 2 | High Ballot 1 (3), Mode Ballot 2, 3</b></p>
<p>Dahl, a 20-year-old lefty outfielder who spent time with Low-A Asheville and High-A Modesto last season, was Colorado's first-round pick (10th overall) in the 2012 draft. To say that Dahl impressed in his professional debut would be an understatement. Playing against pitchers three years older than him on average, all Dahl did was hit .379/.423/.625 (161 wRC+), win the Pioneer League batting title by 41 points, run away with the Pioneer League MVP, and <a href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/league-top-20-prospects/2012/2614089.html">get named the top prospect in the league</a>. In other words, Dahl had just about the best start to a professional career you could hope for.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, his 2013 campaign was a lost year. Dahl began by <a href="http://www.purplerow.com/2013/4/27/4273662/david-dahl-returns-to-asheville-following-demotion-to-extended-spring">getting suspended by the team for missing a flight</a>. By nearly all accounts I've read, this was a one-time thing and was not indicative of any other problems. In fact, Dahl has been lauded for his work ethic and makeup before and since. Dahl then <a href="http://www.purplerow.com/2013/5/16/4336978/thursday-pebble-report-david-dahl-injury-worse-than-expected">tore his hamstring</a> in May shortly after his return. The end result was that Dahl was limited to just 10 games in 2013. This resulted in Dahl receding somewhat from the consciousness of prospect hounds.</p>
<p>Last season was a much better story for Dahl. Despite the lost year, Dahl was still more than a year younger than average in the Low-A South Atlantic League (for reference, he's two months younger than PuRP No. 5 Raimel Tapia), but he didn't have too many problems dealing with SAL pitching. In 422 plate appearances, Dahl hit .309/.347/.500 (133 wRC+) with 49 extra-base hits and 18 steals while playing an excellent center field. In the tougher environs of High-A Modesto, against pitchers nearly three years older than him, Dahl held his own, batting .267/.296/.467 (93 wRC+) in 125 PAs. If one were to quibble with these results, it would be to look at Dahl's low walk percentage (5.5 in Asheville, 4.0 in Modesto) and elevated strikeout percentage (15.4 in Asheville, 21.6 in Modesto).</p>
<p>As the results came in, so too did the scouting accolades. Dahl was placed in the midseason top 50s of <a href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=24076">Baseball Prospectus</a> (24), <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/11223667/mlb-keith-law-top-50-mlb-prospects">Keith Law</a> (35), and <a href="http://www.minorleagueball.com/2014/7/14/5898649/minor-league-ball-top-75-prospects-mid-season-update-2014-sickels">Jon Sickels </a>(33). When the big 2015 preseason top 100 lists are revealed, Dahl will assuredly be in that range or higher again (he <a href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/2015-colorado-rockies-top-10-prospects/">topped Baseball America's Rockies prospect list</a>). In an <a href="http://www.purplerow.com/2014/7/9/5884883/rockies-podcast-purple-dinosaur-jason-parks-dick-monfort">episode of Purple Row's own Purple Dinosaur Podcast</a> (it's excellent, please listen!), prospect guru Jason Parks said that Dahl had the potential to be as good as <span>Andrew McCutchen</span>, one of the top five players in the game today. That's high praise indeed from a guy who knows a lot about a lot of prospects.</p>
<p>Nick Faleris of Baseball Prospectus <a href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=25243">rated Dahl second in the system</a>, giving him an overall future potential of 70 (an All-Star player) with a realistic floor of 60 (first division regular):</p>
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<p><b>Strengths</b>: Easy barrel delivery with extended pitch plane overlap; regular hard contact and comfort spraying line to line; good athleticism boosts the aggregate skillset; run is legit plus, showing up on the grass and rounding the bases; glove could play to plus at maturity with continued improvement in reads off the bat; already shows understanding of how to let power manifest naturally; arm plays across the outfield with carry and solid accuracy.</p>
<p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em;"><b>Weaknesses</b>: Lacks leverage in swing so power will be reliant on ability to barrel ball and might be limited to pull; routes are improving, but still limit full utilization of natural speed; can get aggressive, particularly early in count when hunting fastballs; advanced arms will work to expose with spin.</p>
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<p>The Alabama prep product's true five-tool potential alone provides enough reason for evaluators to lock in, but it's the combination of athleticism and baseball acumen characteristic of impact major leaguers that could see the profile emerge as one of the elite talents in the game. Dahl missed much of 2013 due to injury and some disciplinary issues, neither of which pose any concern moving forward, and it is highly encouraging to see the talented center fielder slide into the full-season routine with nary a missed step. There is work to be done smoothing out the reads and routes in the outfield, and the approach at the plate will need to be focused, but most of these potential issues reside in developmental areas commonly addressed through reps.</p>
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<p>Kiley McDaniel of FanGraphs <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/evaluating-the-prospects-colorado-rockies/">had Dahl third in the system</a> and gave him a 55 Future Value grade:</p>
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<p>Scouts never really doubted Dahl's ability to hit and one said he almost put a 7 on the bat after seeing him this year and that same scout put a 5 on the power despite a line drive approach. It may take a few years but advanced, talented hitters with a natural opposite field stroke will often will outhit their raw power at maturity (even with a line drive approach) due to how much hard contact they make. The offensive upside combined with plus speed and a center field profile give Dahl the upside to be a star, but scouts would like to see more than one year in full-season leagues before they go all-in.</p>
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<p>Dahl, who was third on my list, is a five-tool talent who projects to stick in center field defensively and comfortably projects as a MLB regular with the potential for much more. That's obviously an exciting profile, and it's a testament to the abilities of <span>Jon Gray</span> that Dahl hasn't topped this list since fall 2012. A crowded outfield situation in Modesto, thanks to the conversion of PuRP No. 10 <span>Rosell Herrera</span> to center field, may mean that Dahl gets a bump up to Double-A New Britain to start the year, or he might begin the year with Modesto and move quickly up the ladder should he prove ready.</p>
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<p><b>Contract Status</b><b>:</b> 2012 first round, not Rule 5 eligible, three options remaining</p>
<p><b>MLB ETA</b>: Late 2016</p>
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https://www.purplerow.com/2015/1/28/7933165/david-dahl-rockies-prospects-outfieldJeff Aberle2015-01-26T14:00:03-07:002015-01-26T14:00:03-07:00PuRP No. 3: Eddie Butler
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<p>Butler needs to prove 2014 was an anomaly. The Rockies better hope that was the case.</p> <p> </p>
<p><i>Editor's note: We've made a change with the PuRPs list this year, deciding to unveil each player individually over the course of a few weeks. To keep track of the rankings, keep checking our PuRPs list <a target="_blank" href="http://www.purplerow.com/2014/12/19/7420831/purple-row-prospects-list-winter-2014">StoryStream</a>.</i></p>
<p style="font-weight: bold;"><b>PuRP No. 3:</b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=butler001edw" style="background-color: #ffffff;"><b> Eddie Butler</b><b> </b></a><b>(447 points, 16 ballots) | Summer 2014 Ranking: 3 | High Ballot 1 (1), Mode Ballot 2, 3</b></p>
<p>Butler, a 23-year-old right-hander who spent time in 2014 at four different levels, didn't have exactly the year that many were projecting for him. After all, Butler was simply untouchable in 2013. Across three levels (Low-A, High-A and Double-A), Butler went 9-5 with a 1.80 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and a very respectable 8.6 K/9 in 150 innings pitched. The crazy thing was that in his six starts for Double-A Tulsa, Butler was even more impressive, posting an 0.65 ERA and 0.68 WHIP in 28 IP. He pitched so well early in the year that the <a href="https://www.purplerow.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rockies</a> cautiously place him on a five-inning limit for most of his time in Modesto and Tulsa.</p>
<p>That kind of year came with some great accolades. Butler made his way into Keith Law's preseason top 20 prospect list (among others) and earned a spot in the MLB Futures Game, where he struck out fellow top prospect <span>Xander Bogaerts</span> on the <a href="http://thegoldensombrero.com/wordpress/archives/6506" style="background-color: #ffffff;">three preposterous pitches</a> that comprise his arsenal (slider, fastball and changeup). Don't watch those GIFs if you can't handle the truth. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7z192I-mQM" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Everything came up Milhouse</a> for Butler in 2013.</p>
<p>In 2014, the Rockies appeared to be limiting Butler's arsenal to focus on developing some pitches, which was a contributing factor in reducing his K/9 rate to 5.3 from the 8.6 mark he had posted in 2013. Even so, when he was (<a href="http://www.purplerow.com/2014/6/4/5779036/examining-the-eddie-butler-call-up" style="background-color: #ffffff;">controversially around these parts</a>) called up to the big club in June (supposedly for good), Butler had posted a 2.61 ERA in 68 2/3 innings over 11 starts for Tulsa.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, Butler's major league debut came at home against a stacked <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dodgers</a> lineup, against which he struggled mightily through 5⅓ innings. Immediately thereafter, Butler went on the disabled list with rotator cuff inflammation. Supposedly, one of the reasons this happened is because the Rockies had never worked with Butler on developing a standardized routine between starts with shorter rest on his way up through the minors. Hmm ...</p>
<p>After a couple of rehab starts at Modesto and in Colorado Springs, Butler was activated from the DL and optioned back to Tulsa. Unfortunately, down the stretch Butler struggled to a 5.92 ERA in his remaining games with Tulsa before making his way back to the big league level to deliver a quality start against the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Diamondbacks</a> and a stinker against the Dodgers. In all, it was not an encouraging way to end the year. Let's hope that Butler is able to continue to grow as a pitcher and come back to the big league level looking more like the one we saw in the 2013 Futures Game.</p>
<p>Kiley McDaniel of FanGraphs still <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/evaluating-the-prospects-colorado-rockies/">rated Butler third in the system</a>, giving him a 55 Future Value (No. 3 starter) grade:</p>
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<p>Butler's stuff took a step forward since being drafted, with his velocity settling a tick or two higher (93-95, touching 97 mph consistently) than it did and his off-speed stuff jumping a notch as well. He's in a dead heat with Gray to be #1 on this list, but the separator for scouts is that they are worried about Butler's durability. He's had a lot of minor dings and there's doubt he can hold up for 200 innings, though everything is there for him to be a starter. If he has to move to the bullpen he could be a closer, with a fastball that's been up to 99 mph and a knockout changeup, but Colorado will give him every chance to prove he can stay in the rotation. The slider has been a 55 in the past but scouts have said it's only been average this year.</p>
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<p>Nick Faleris of Baseball Prospectus <a href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=25243">had Butler fourth in the system</a>, also giving him a 55 grade:</p>
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<p><b>Strengths</b>: Mid- to upper-90s fastball that comes with arm-side dip and dance; change has shown double-plus potential in the past, mirroring two-seam fastball action and coming with arm speed and slot deception; long limbs with projection remaining in frame; slider can play above average off fastball plane; arsenal heavy across the board; has shown solid feel for zone with all offerings.</p>
<p><b>Weaknesses</b>: Stuff backed up in 2014 with slider often showing flat and change losing some bite and handle; inconsistent timing and release exacerbated inconsistencies tied to crossfire release and regularly birthed choppy secondaries and loosened command; shoulder issues and lagging physical maturation strengthen case for future fit in the bullpen.</p>
<p>After breaking out with a dominant 2013, Butler saw the ugly side of the prospect coin this past season with injury and discomfort with mechanical tweaks combining to sap some of the pop from his arsenal and leaving him hittable. Because of the weight of Butler's multi-look fastball and quality change, the lanky righty remained difficult to lift even when his stuff found too much of the plate. But the incendiary arsenal that was a mainstay two summers prior played tepid in 2014, and the Rockies' attempts to soften his finish and regulate his tempo did little to assist Butler in finding more ease in his arm action or precision with his pitches.</p>
<p>Should Butler shift to the pen, his fastball and changeup could allow him to handle high-leverage situations with aplomb, particularly if he can get back to pounding the bottom of the strike zone where both pitches are most effective. Butler could begin 2015 back in Double-A provided he returns to camp with his shoulder issues firmly in the rearview. A return to Colorado this summer isn't out of the question if he can rediscover the explosive stuff that captivated evaluators just 18 short months ago.</p>
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<p>Despite the sturm and drang surrounding his second half of 2014, it's important to remember that Butler very well could be one of the best pitchers the Rockies send out to the mound in 2015 (in a good way, not because there's another injury apocalypse). That's a large reason why I placed Butler second on my PuRPs list this time around and why Colorado might have better pitching than people give it credit for. WIth that said, I think Butler starts the year just off of the big league roster in either Albuquerque or New Britain, getting the call-up when the need arises.</p>
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<p><b>Contract Status</b>: 2012 supplemental first round, 40-man Roster, two options remaining</p>
<p><b>MLB ETA</b>: Now-ish</p>
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https://www.purplerow.com/2015/1/26/7911497/eddie-butler-rockies-prospects-pitchingJeff Aberle2015-01-24T14:14:06-07:002015-01-24T14:14:06-07:00PuRP No. 4: Kyle Freeland
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<p>Freeland has a mid-rotation future in the majors -- a level he could reach sooner rather than later.</p> <div>
<p style="font-weight: bold;"><b>PuRP No. 4: </b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=freela000kyl">Kyle Freeland</a><b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=yan---002jul"> </a></b><b>(424 points, 16 ballots) -- Summer 2014 Ranking: 7 -- High Ballot 3, Mode Ballot 4</b></p>
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<p>Freeland, a 21-year-old left-hander who spent his pro debut at rookie-level Grand Junction and Low-A Asheville, was Colorado's 2014 first round pick (#8 overall) out of the University of Evansville (and Thomas Jefferson high school in Denver). Freeland signed for a below slot $2.3 million bonus, was linked to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> well before the draft, and was <a href="http://www.purplerow.com/2014/6/5/5782400/2014-mlb-draft-kyle-freeland-community-pick">the Purple Row community's pick</a> for the Rockies. Here's what resident prospect guru David Hood had to say about Freeland when he was drafted:</p>
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<p>Despite the lofty strikeout totals this season at Evansville, Freeland's stuff isn't pure power, but above average pitches played up by excellent command. He's going to pitch in the low 90's with a fastball carrying late life, and will back the pitch up with a solid slider that he can locate in the zone. ... Based on his excellent command and solid mix of pitches, Freeland should move quickly with #3 starter potential ... if he can stay healthy. ... The first thing I noticed with Freeland was the lack of shoulder tilt in his delivery and the stress he put on his throwing arm. His delivery is more arm than total body, and can at times appear violent.</p>
<p>...</p>
<p>Overall, this is a solid selection that probably has more injury risk than other picks, but provided he's healthy, Freeland could take a similar short trip to the majors a la Butler. He slots in just behind Gray and Butler on my Rockies pitching totem pole, edging Matzek with superior command despite lesser stuff, and Anderson with superior stuff and even if not better command.</p>
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<p>Freeland had just five starts at each of Grand Junction and Asheville, combining for 39 innings of work in that time. In that small sample size, Freeland was pretty dominant, racking up a 3-0 record with a 1.15 ERA (0.83 in Asheville), 0.92 WHIP, and 7.6 K/9. The Rockies view Freeland as a potential quick riser in the system and a player that could be in Coors Field within the next two years.</p>
<p>Nick Faleris of Baseball Prospectus <a href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=25243">rated Freeland fifth in the system</a>, calling him a likely #4 starter at the big league level with 2/3 starter potential:</p>
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<p><b>Strengths</b>: All three foundational pitches show above-average potential and come with multiple looks and deception; fastball sits in low-90s velo band with ability to sink, cut, and run; four-seamer can reach mid-90s; slider comes with late sweep and can tighten to upper-80s cutter; change sits in mid-80s with late tumble; can cut change for different look; plus control; can live on the periphery with comfort; advanced feel for sequencing and ability to vary look and approach.</p>
<p><b>Weaknesses</b>: Delivery comes with effort and some herk and jerk; low slot limits downhill plane and can hold fastball on swing path; potential to live too fully in the zone; elbow surgery already in the file; yet to show durability required of pro starter; stuff could play down over course of longer season.</p>
<p>The southpaw is distinctive both for his chameleonic arsenal and the adroit manner in which he wields it, with a uniform release and trajectory capable of resulting in seven-plus alternate finishes over a velocity band stretching cleanly from the low 80s to the mid-90s. Provided Freeland can maintain that quality of stuff over a long pro season, the former Purple Ace could force a speedy ascension through the minor-league ranks thanks to his advanced arsenal, plus command, and aggressive approach. Assuming no significant setbacks, the Rockies could see their 2014 first rounder logging major-league innings by 2016.</p>
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<p>Kiley McDaniel of FanGraphs also <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/evaluating-the-prospects-colorado-rockies/">ranked him fifth in the system</a>, slapping Freeland with a 50 FV grade:</p>
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<p>Freeland is a tough evaluation: his fastball and slider were both flashing plus by the end of the year (the above video is from a solid but unspectacular early-season outing) but injury concerns will follow him for years. He had elbow surgery in 2007 as a high school freshman and some clubs were still concerned about the medical, with a couple teams late in the first round telling me they probably wouldn't take him if he slipped to them due to concerns about his less-than-smooth mechanics contributing to a future injury ... I rounded down on the fastball and slider grade (both flash plus) since I think those pitches settle there in a starter role long-term. Freeland shows an advanced ability to command his above average stuff even with some effort to the delivery, so it's hard to bet against him and he could shoot through the system in some scenarios, reaching his #3 starter upside in short order.</p>
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<p>Freeland has been slotted by the electorate as Colorado's third best pitching prospect -- I personally ranked him fourth -- and for good reason. Despite the injury concerns, Freeland is polished and has the stuff to succeed at the big league level. I expect Freeland to start the year in Modesto with an appearance in New Britain before the end of the year not out of the question.</p>
<p><b>Contract Status</b><b>: </b>2014 first round, not Rule 5 eligible, three options remaining</p>
<p><b>MLB ETA</b>: Late 2016</p>
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https://www.purplerow.com/2015/1/24/7885299/kyle-freeland-rockies-prospects-pitchingJeff Aberle2015-01-23T15:13:20-07:002015-01-23T15:13:20-07:00PuRP No. 5: Raimel Tapia
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<p>In his first year of full-season ball, Tapia did not disappoint talent evaluators who shot him up their prospect boards in 2013.</p> <div>
<p><b>PuRP No. 5: </b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=tapia-000rai"><b>Raimel Tapia </b></a><b>(410 points, 16 ballots) | Summer 2014 Ranking: 5 | High Ballot 3, Mode Ballot 6</b></p>
<p>Tapia, a 20-year-old outfielder who played at Low-A Asheville, was a highly regarded international signee ($175,000 bonus) for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Rockies</a> back in 2010. After two years in the Dominican Summer League, Tapia made his way stateside in 2013, and all he did was <a href="http://www.purplerow.com/2013/11/6/5071312/rockies-prospect-raimel-tapia-wins-pioneer-league-player-of-the-year" style="background-color: #ffffff;">win the Pioneer League Player of the Year award</a>.</p>
<p>In 286 plate appearances that season, Tapia was unconscious, hitting .357/.399/.562 (141 wRC+) with 33 extra-base hits against players 1.5 years older than him on average, all the while playing a solid center field. He wasn't a very patient hitter (5 percent walk rate), but it's hard to quibble with a .399 on-base percentage. Plus, all of that swinging didn't lead to a lot of strikeouts (11 percent K rate). That's just about as good of a stateside first impression that you can make.</p>
<p>This season, Tapia struggled initially in his first exposure to full-season ball, hitting just .244/.290/.326 in April. After that, though, his <i>worst</i> month was his .313/.376/.424 August. In all, against older South Atlantic League pitchers, Tapia had a .326/.382/.453 line (134 wRC+) with 42 XBHs and 33 stolen bases in 539 plate appearances. It should be noted that while Tapia was a .300/.370+ (BA/OBP) player both at home and on the road, his slugging was just .377 on the road compared to .534 at home, calling into question his power projection. Tapia did have a relatively lower 16.5 K% (career 14.3%) with a similarly low 6.5 BB% (career 7.0%), so his profile is best described as a hitter that puts the ball in play often.</p>
<p>As a prospect, Tapia's biggest asset is his potentially elite hit tool -- one that most talent evaluators have between a 60 and a 70 (where 50 is major league average). In fact, all of Tapia's five tools could approach major league-average ability when all is said and done. Add all of that up and you get an average major leaguer or even a first-division regular.</p>
<p>Nick Faleris of Baseball Prospectus <a href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=25243">rated Tapia third in the system</a>, bestowing upon him a 55 Future Value rating:</p>
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<p><b>Strengths</b>: Excellent feel for contact; above-average bat speed; malleable barrel delivery allows for consistent contact through variable planes; high level of comfort working across the diamond; good balance throughout; see-ball-hit-ball approach; some pop to pull with bat speed allowing for turn and burn on the inner half; above-average foot speed can play up underway thanks to solid feel on the basepaths; present arm strength; precocious five-tool talent in nascent stages of development.</p>
<p><b>Weaknesses</b>: Speed can play down out of box depending on finish swing to swing; lots of uncertainty in first step limits range in the outfield; not a natural track-and-close defender; can come around throws, losing carry and accuracy; aggressive approach is bat-to-ball-reliant, leaving open possibility that quality sequencing will disrupt timing and ability to barrel; needs to add strength.</p>
<p>Tapia utilizes an unconventional set up and variable swing that doesn't sit well with evaluators who prefer their hit tools wrapped in more traditional packaging. For those who can work past the optical quirks, what remains is an innate ability to find the ball with the barrel, regardless of quadrant or pitch type. The secret to Tapia's success is the ability of the native Dominican to meld natural bat speed and hand-eye coordination with consistent balance throughout multi-look swings, resulting in a borderline unsettling level of comfort and confidence in the box.</p>
<p>There is still a great deal to be determined as far as Tapia's ultimate offensive game, and time will tell whether more advanced arms will force the gifted batsman to alter his approach. Even with added strength through maturation of the body, the power could ultimately play below average if Tapia elects to keep a contact-centric approach to hitting that places a higher level of import on utilizing the whole field and putting the ball in play than finding spots and offerings to drive.</p>
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<p>Slightly less bullish on Tapia was Kiley McDaniel of FanGraphs, who <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/evaluating-the-prospects-colorado-rockies/">ranked Tapia sixth in the system</a> while giving him a 50 FV:</p>
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<p>Tapia gets wide-ranging review from scouts, with some crushing him for an unusual swing and skinny frame, while others point to his elite bat control and performance (.342/.392/.503 in over 700 PA in domestic leagues). One scout said Tapia's defensive reads were questionable and that his power wouldn't profile in right field. Another scout gave a low-end comparison of <span>Jon Jay</span>, as a non-traditional outfielder that can play all three positions, doesn't have much power but hits enough that you find a spot for him. The consensus is that this kid can hit despite sometimes funky mechanics and he has enough tools to be useful in some kind of everyday role.</p>
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<p>Many (myself included) were caught off guard by Tapia's swift prospect rise and initially kept him lower on their ballots, waiting to see if he could replicate his numbers in full-season ball. Now that he has, the electorate has him into the top five in the system for the second straight list (I placed him fifth myself). Tapia will get to prove himself next year in High-A, wherein we'll get a better idea of what kind of player Tapia will be in the Show. A 40-man roster protection after the season is a virtual lock.</p>
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<p><b>Contract Status</b>: 2010 free agent (Dominican Republic), Rule 5 eligible after 2015, three options remaining</p>
<p><b>MLB ETA</b>: 2017</p>
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https://www.purplerow.com/2015/1/23/7879607/raimel-tapia-rockies-prospects-outfieldJeff Aberle2015-01-22T17:46:49-07:002015-01-22T17:46:49-07:00PuRP No. 6: Tyler Anderson
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<figcaption>Christian Petersen/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Anderson's performance as a professional has been strong, but he has to overcome injury issues and have near-elite command for that success to translate to the majors.</p> <div>
<p style="font-weight: bold;"><b>PuRP No. 6: </b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=anders001tyl">Tyler Anderson</a><b> (379 points, 16 ballots) | Summer 2014 Ranking: 11 | High Ballot 4, Mode Ballot 6</b></p>
<p>Anderson, a 25-year-old left-hander who spent his age 24 season at Double-A Tulsa, was expected to move through the organization quickly as a starter with a mid-rotation ceiling after the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a> took him in the first round of the 2011 draft. The results have been there at every step of the way (career 2.39 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 7.2 K/9 over 328 IP), but unfortunately so too have been injuries that limited him in 2013 and caused the Rockies to be very cautious with him this past year in Tulsa. Colorado instituted a 75-or-so pitch count with Anderson in the early stages of the season, and only in the second half of the year did the organization allow him to toss more than 80 pitches in an outing (and never more than 100). Unfortunately, Anderson had to leave his final start of the year early with shoulder soreness, an injury concern that scuttled Colorado's plans to have him pitch in the Arizona Fall League.</p>
<p>In all, Anderson really was excellent in his limited workload in Double-A this past year. He had a 1.98 ERA, 2.77 FIP, 1.11 WHIP, and 8.1 K/9 while holding opposing hitters to a .216 batting average in 118 innings. Those are fine numbers that show Anderson's ability to dominate relatively unsophisticated minor league hitters with his excellent command. I'm truly interested to see if Anderson, who has been labeled a back-end starter prospect most of his professional career, can use that command to get major league hitters out consistently. He'll also have to prove that his arm can carry more than 120 innings in a season to stick in a big league rotation</p>
<p>Kiley McDaniel of FanGraphs slapped a 50 Future Value (No. 4 starter) grade on Anderson while <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/evaluating-the-prospects-colorado-rockies/">ranking him seventh in the system</a>:</p>
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<p>The big lefty makes you pause due to the funky delivery, but it creates deception and he's a good enough athlete to make it work for him command-wise. The stuff is at least as good as in college if not a little better: Anderson hit 95 mph earlier this month, but sits 89-92 mostly. His changeup is a weapon to get swings and misses but the question is on the breaking ball. He tinkers with a slider, curveball and cutter at times, but should be able to settle with at least one fringy/useable pitch to keep hitters off his best two pitches.</p>
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<p>Meanwhile, Nick Faleris of Baseball Prospectus <a href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=25243">had Anderson ranked eighth in the system</a> and gave him a likely future projection of a No. 5 starter:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><b>Strengths</b>: Pitchability lefty; comfortable working in and out with average arsenal; mechanics come with some funk, adding deception and allowing average fastball velocity to play up; plus low-80s changeup projects heater through bulk of journey before late tumble; short slider/cutter is a weapon, regularly sliding up handles and off barrels; curve is serviceable as change of pace; hitchy motion and arm action disrupt hitter timing.</p>
<p><b>Weaknesses</b>: Lacks durability; stuff is fringy on paper; deception and quirks may not be enough to keep major-league bats off center; razor-thin margin for error in zone; lacks go to swing-and-miss offering for same side bats.</p>
<p>After a shoulder injury limited Anderson to just 89 2/3 innings in 2013, this year's 118 1/3 innings pitched with Double-A Tulsa seemed to represent an important step towards an overdue audition with the Big Club. Unfortunately, the good will earned over those innings was lessened when elbow soreness resulted in Anderson's early exit from the final game of the season, once again casting doubt as to whether or not the former first rounder will be able to handle the rigors of starter workload.</p>
<p>When healthy, Anderson relies on guile and deception in implementing a vanilla collection of pitches to surprising effect. The changeup is an equalizer, particularly nasty against oppo-side bats thanks to late fade and tumble, and he continues to improve upon his sequencing and placement to get the most out of an average fastball and short slider. Anderson could join Gray in a Triple-A assignment to start 2015, and should be available to help out in Colorado as soon as an opportunity arises, be it in the rotation or as a lefty arm out of the pen. The upside isn't great, but there's value in a steady, back-end arm provided he can stay healthy long enough to rack up some innings.</p>
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<p>Anderson, who placed ninth on my ballot, was put on the 40-man roster at the end of the year. He will most likely use his first minor league option next season by beginning the year at Triple-A Albuquerque, a tough environment for any pitcher the Rockies place there. This year, when the inevitable wave of injuries or ineffectiveness hit the major league rotation, Anderson will be an option -- if he isn't injured himself, that is.</p>
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<p><b>Contract Status</b><b>: </b>2011 first round, 40-man roster, three options remaining</p>
<p><b>MLB ETA</b>: Late 2015</p>
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https://www.purplerow.com/2015/1/22/7875441/tyler-anderson-rockies-prospects-pitchingJeff Aberle2015-01-21T13:10:49-07:002015-01-21T13:10:49-07:00PuRP No. 7: Ryan McMahon
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/wsPXbTx7t18Q1VZL3hzy83mkcp4=/0x380:4608x3452/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45509892/DSC08742.0.JPG" />
<figcaption>Charlie Drysdale</figcaption>
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<p>McMahon's stock is way up after about as successful of a full-season debut as he could've dreamed up.</p> <p> </p>
<p><i>Editor's note: We've made a change with the PuRPs list this year, deciding to unveil each player individually over the course of a few weeks. To keep track of the rankings, keep checking our PuRPs list <a href="http://www.purplerow.com/2014/12/19/7420831/purple-row-prospects-list-winter-2014" target="_blank">StoryStream</a>.</i></p>
<p style="font-weight: bold; "><b>PuRP No. 7: </b><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=mcmaho000rya">Ryan McMahon</a><b> (377 points, 16 ballots) | Summer 2014 Ranking: 6 | High Ballot 4, Mode Ballot 6, 7, 9</b></p>
<p>McMahon, a 20-year-old third baseman who spent his age 19 season at Low-A Asheville, can easily be compared to <span>Nolan Arenado</span>. After all, both were high school third basemen from California taken in the second round, both have shown the <a href="http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/mater-dei-third-baseman-ryan-mcmahon-flashes-the-leather/">ability to be great defensive third basemen</a> (though the 32 errors McMahon made this year will give pause), and both immediately hit well in their professional careers.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.purplerow.com/2013/6/6/4404614/mlb-draft-results-2013-rockies-select-3b-ryan-mcmahon-with-no-42/in/4145399">Here's what David Hood had to say</a> about McMahon when he was drafted:</p>
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<p>McMahon has 50 grade tools across the board, but plus makeup and upside potential. He has a 6'3" frame capable of holding 215-220 lbs. (he's listed at 195 lbs right now), and he could grow into 60 pop. He could also reach 60 grades on defense and should have no problem staying at third base. McMahon's swing is balanced from the left side and has natural loft, so line drive/power potential is evident here.</p>
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<p>Facing pitchers on average more than 2.5 years older than him, McMahon hit .321/.402/.583 (147 wRC+) with 11 home runs and 32 extra-base hits over 251 plate appearances in Grand Junction. He then began 2014 by tearing the cover off the ball in his full-season debut, hitting .291/.396/.696 in April. For the full 2014 season, again against pitchers 2.5 years older, McMahon's line cooled off to a more temperate .282/.358/.502 (137 wRC+) with 18 HRs, 67 XBHs, and 102 RBI in 552 PAs.</p>
<p>The aforementioned 32 errors for McMahon this year are of course concerning, but that is at odds with what scouting reports claim, which is namely that he has the defensive talent to remain at third. They also have a lot to do with context; we're talking poorly groomed infields and first basemen that don't have the digging skills possessed by major leaguers. I'm more concerned about the elevated strikeout rate -- 26 percent of plate appearances in 2014 -- though McMahon is still pretty raw as a prospect after spending his high school days splitting time between baseball and quarterbacking (sound familiar?).</p>
<p>Checking in with the usual prospect sources, we see that Kiley McDaniel <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/evaluating-the-prospects-colorado-rockies/">rated McMahon fourth in the system</a> and gave him a 55 Future Value grade, equivalent to an above-average major league regular:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Some teams were skeptical before the draft of McMahon's ability to corral his long limbs to make enough contact long-term, but the scouts I talked to were all-in after an impressive full-season debut. One scout argued McMahon could be the <a href="https://www.purplerow.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rockies</a> #1 prospect right now and with Gray/Butler possibly graduating next year and McMahon heading to the Cal League in 2015, that may happen in 2015. He strikes out more than you'd like to see, but McMahon is just 19 and was also a star quarterback in high school (another example of a Rockies draft pick with that on his resume), so there's still a need for reps. McMahon projects for plus raw power that scouts now think he can get to in games and, while he isn't there right now, most believe with some work he will be able to stick at third base long-term.</p>
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<p>Nick Faleris of Baseball Prospectus <a href="http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=25243">placed McMahon sixth in the system</a>, also pegging him realistically as a major league regular:</p>
<blockquote>
<p><b>Strengths</b>: Loose, whippy swing with above-average bat speed; natural lift and carry pole to pole; can be very difficult bat to unpack thanks to bat speed and solid plate coverage; good athlete; glove and arm can both play above average at the hot corner; lateral agility; hands work; strong competitor.</p>
<p><b>Weaknesses</b>: Approach still developing; can slip into extended periods where he expands zone and gives away at-bats; needs continued reps to improve tracking and strengthen offensive foundation; particularly susceptible to same-side spin; thickening body could lead to loss of fluidity, particularly in field; gets deliberate in footwork; inconsistent set up can force throws off course.</p>
<p>McMahon's calling card is going to be his raw power, which he comes by honestly thanks to good bat speed, solid strength, and wrists capable of producing whip in the barrel. The approach is still loose, but more as a result of inconsistent implementation of a plan and limited exposure to quality spin. When locked in and comfortable he comes by hard contact with ease, demonstrating an organic ability to use the whole field and giving some reason to project the hit tool aggressively in spite of the delta between present ability and requisite major-league baseline. While a thickening body carries with it the risk of limiting his actions at third, his overall athleticism and arm strength should allow him to stick at the five-spot long term.</p>
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<p>McMahon's debut was extremely strong and the reports about his make-up are just as encouraging. I placed McMahon sixth on my ballot given his performance in full-season ball, draft position, and MLB average tools. I'm excited to see if he can continue this success as he moves up the organizational ladder in Modesto next year.</p>
<p><b>Contract Status</b><b>: </b>2013 second round, not Rule 5 eligible, three options remaining</p>
<p><b>MLB ETA</b>: Late 2017</p>
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https://www.purplerow.com/2015/1/21/7868009/ryan-mcmahon-rockies-prospects-third-baseJeff Aberle