Rockies in My Top 100

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Greetings Everyone!

My name is Chris Williamson and I’m very excited to be reporting on the Rockies farm system for Prospects1500! Please check out my bio for contact information and a little bit about my background.

In this post, I’ll be sharing the write-ups of the 4 Rockies in my personal Top 100. For you deep dynasty league owners, don’t worry, in future posts we will definitely delve deeper into this wonderful system.

Please also keep an eye out for my next post. I’ll be down in Arizona from April 4 through April 6 to get a first hand look at the Rockies prospects first-hand and I’m pumped to share my findings with you.

6) Brendan Rodgers

The Holy Trinity at the top of the 2015 MLB Draft: Dansby Swanson, Alex Bregman, and Brendan Rodgers. I’ve read that he hit too many groundballs last year but he also hit 19 home runs in 442 at bats in his first full minor league season (the article mentioned his poor batted ball ratio and compared it to George Springer – which has worked out for fantasy owners). Rodgers has an elite hit tool and super power potential – both of which will lead to a ton of hits dropping into the massive Coors outfield and the potential for 30 home runs to fly over the fence in the Denver thin air. This video of him in a Home Run Derby in 2014 is very impressive: It’s Tater Time. The swing is beautiful, the bat speed is elite and the sound off the bat is epic. Rodgers should be ready to take over at the keystone once DJ Lemahieu’s contract is up after the 2018 season. The best way to explain Rodgers’s potential is by combining the best of DJ LeMahieu and Trevor Story (yes I know, try not to drool). ETA: 2019, Comp: Troy Tulowitzki.

45) Raimel Tapia

He is ready to be a major league regular and made his debut in 2016. Currently, he is blocked by Dahl, Blackmon, Cargo, and Parra. Tapia has one of the top hit tools in the minors and will obviously be elevated by playing at Coors field (a lot of balls will drop in front of outfielders that must play deep). Currently, he exhibits average at best power. However, some evaluators think there is more power projection. Personally, I don’t see it without a significant reconstruction of his swing. I forecast 50+ doubles, 15+ stolen bases, 10-15 homers, 175+ hits, and 300+ batting average at his peak. Expect a lot of this. ETA: Late-2017, Comp: Nick Markakis.

73) Ryan McMahon

He strikes out a bit too much (a lot too much). However, he lit it up in 2015 with 18 homers and an almost 900 OPS. He is a very gifted athlete that I expect to bounce back this year after a rough 2016 for a AA Hartford team that spent the entire season on the road because of a stadium debacle. 25 homers and double digit steals in a AA repeat with a AAA promotion is my expectation. Book it. Most evaluators have cooled on McMahon after his step back in 2016. Pounce on this opportunity and target him in new dynasty league drafts and as a trade target in your current leagues. ETA: 2019, Comp: Jake Lamb.

87) German Marquez

Debuted last year in Denver after an excellent run at AA Hartford. Currently fighting for the 5th spot in the Rockies rotation and I expect him to win it. He has advanced feel for pitching and a plus fastball that he commands well. Curveball is a legitimate out pitch. The key is continued develop of his changeup. I saw him in person for his final start of the year at Coors Field on October 2nd and he was extremely impressive. He tossed 6 strong innings giving up 6 hits and 2 runs with 1 walk and 7 strikeouts. It his more advanced command and ability to limit walks that give him a leg up on Jeff Hoffman for the final rotation spot. As you all know, if you issue walks at Coors Field you will get eaten alive because you will give up more hits than in other parks. ETA: 2017, Comp: Ervin Santana.

Thanks for reading!

-Chris

Featured Image Credit: Max and Dee Bernt

Christopher Williamson

Chris Williamson is the Rockies correspondent here at Prospects1500. He lives in Denver and is a member of The Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR). Being a member of SABR has given him the opportunity to attend some great events and meet some Rockies insiders. Chris is also a diehard dynasty fantasy baseball participant. He is currently in 2 dynasty leagues, one with 30 minor league roster spots, and one with 40 minor league roster spots. Check out more from Chris on his new website: makeprospectsgreatagain.com. GO ROX!