Luke Wortman | @Luke_W31 | May 18, 2024

While it does not get as much fanfare as other affiliates, the rookie ball level is super important as it gives many players their first game experience as pros or their first pro experience in the States. Usually, the rosters are packed with exciting prospects with tons of potential. This roster is no different as they have exciting prospects like Luichi Casilla, Yeiker Reyes, Kelvin Hidalgo, Robert Calaz, and others. This team competes in the Arizona Complex League (ACL). The games are not televised but many of the prospects on this roster will be playing at an affiliate later this year, and some will be playing in the Show in a few years. While it does not get much recognition, this is a stacked and exciting roster.

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Troy Butler – RHP – Age: 21

2023 Season Stats (Herkimer, Juco): 4.84 ERA | 1.30 WHIP |44.2 IP | 81 K | 31 BB

2023 Season Stats (ACL): 18.00 ERA | 3.50 WHIP | 2.0 IP | 0.00 K/9 | 22.50 BB/9

• The Rockies selected Butler after a standout season at Herkimer JC that saw him strike out 81 batters in 44.2 innings. The 21-year-old righty spent once season at the JUCO level after playing his freshman year at the State University of New York at Binghampton (D1). Butler has a repeatable delivery along with a fastball that tops out at 95 mph. Like most pitchers, Butler only pitched a few innings after being drafted.

Yanzel Correa – RHP – Age: 19

2023 Season Stats (ACL): 0.00 ERA | 1.50 WHIP | 2.0 IP | 13.5 K/9 | 13.5 BB/9

• Correa was the only member of the Rox’s 21-player draft class to come out of the high school ranks. The righty was drafted in the 18th-round out of the International Baseball Academy of Puerto Rico. Correa’s fastball tops out at in the lower 90s, but he has more room to add to his frame. He was originally committed to New Mexico Junior College before signing.

Cade Denton – RHP – Age: 22

CALLED UP TO FRESNO GRIZZLIES ON MAY 21

2023 Season Stats (Oral Roberts, D1): 1.83 ERA | 0.98 WHIP | 64.0 IP | 12.1 K/9 | 2.1 BB/9

2023 Season Stats (ACL, Low-A): 10.80 ERA | 1.70 WHIP | 10.0 IP | 10.8 K/9 | 2.7 BB/9

• Denton’s ‘22 and ‘23 seasons were some of the most dominant seasons by a college reliever in recent memory. It is a pretty big surprise to see him pitching here and not in Fresno. He was drafted in the 6th-round out of Oral Roberts last season, and received an overslot deal to sign with the team. There was some speculation that he might start in the pros, but so far that does not seem to be the case. The righty utilizes a low-slot delivery to pair with his fastball that tops out at 99 mph. He also throws a wipeout slider. The biggest key for him this season will be to see if he can develop his below-average changeup. MLB.com ranks Denton as the 29th best prospect in the system while Fangraphs ranks him at 44th.

Wuardo Fernandez – RHP – Age: 23

2023 Season Stats (ACL, Low-A): 5.64 ERA | 1.84 WHIP | 22.1 IP | 12.5 K/9 | 6.9 BB/9

• 2024 counts as the 7th season for Fernandez in the Rockies system. Last year he got his first taste of affiliate ball as he played in the ACL and had a cup of coffee at Fresno. He was fairly dominant in the ACL before struggling badly at Fresno. The command needs to improve.

Redinson Gomez – RHP – Age: 19

2023 Season Stats (DSL): 2.56 ERA | 0.96 WHIP | 45.2 IP | 9.7 K/9 | 1.8 BB/9

• After three seasons in the DSL, Gomez was promoted to the states and to make his ACL debut this season. Gomez was utterly dominant last season in the DSL, tossing a 2.56 ERA in 45.2 innings. He was mostly used out of relief last season, and has solid command.

Marcos Herrera – RHP – Age:19

2023 Season Stats (DSL): 4.74 ERA | 1.40 WHIP | 43.2 IP | 7.8 K/9 | 3.3 BB/9

• The 19-year old Venezuelan has two seasons of DSL experience under his belt. Both seasons had very similar numbers. Herrera doesn’t have the most overpowering stuff, and his command needs to improve. Like all the players on this roster, there’s a solid amount of potential here.

Ismael Luciano – RHP – Age: 21

2023 Season Stats (ACL): 6.19 ERA | 1.50 WHIP | 16.0 IP | 7.3 K/9 | 4.5 BB/9

• The Dominican Republic native is spending his second season at the ACL level. Last year he got hit up a bit, but Luciano has loads of potential. Fangraphs recently ranked him as the 42nd best prospect in the system. Luciano’s fastball tops out at 96, and he pairs it with a devastating; plus-plus curve. The command is really solid here and should allow him to continue starting in the future. The key here is for Luciano to develop a third pitch.

Hunter Mann – RHP – Age: 22

2023 Season Stats (Tennessee Tech, D1): 6.17 ERA | 1.54 WHIP | 70.0 IP | 11.7 K/9 | 4.0 BB/9

2023 Season Stats (ACL): 0.00 ERA | 1.00 WHIP | 1.0 IP | 27.0 K/9 | 0.0 BB/9

• Drafted in the 14th round out of Tennessee Tech last season, Mann has some power stuff but will look to limit walks this season. The righty averaged 92.8 mph on his fastball last season but due to his 6’7” frame, there may be more in the tank. Also throws a mid-80s slider. 

Bryan Mena – RHP – Age:19

2023 Season Stats (ACL): 5.25 ERA | 1.36 WHIP | 25.2 IP | 9.8 K/9 | 2.5 BB/9

• The 19-year old Domincan Republic native is entering his third season at the ACL level. The righty has a fastball that tops out at 95 mph and pairs it with a plus-plus curveball. Mena has a repeatable delivery and projects for solid command. His changeup does need to improve. Mena ranks 41st overall in the system via FanGraphs.

Sandy Ozuna – RHP – Age:17

2023 Season Stats (DSL): 4.73 ERA | 1.55 WHIP | 32.1 IP | 8.9 K/9 | 5.6 BB/9

• Ozuna is the youngest player on the ACL roster, being just 17 years old. There’s not a lot of data/info on the righty as he has only played in one DSL season. Just by looking at his statline, it’s clear that the command needs to improve. Regardless, if the Rockies are confident to have Ozuna at the rookie ball level, it’s clear he has tons of potential.

Engel Silvestre – RHP – Age: 19

2023 Season Stats (DSL): 2.08 ERA | 1.15 WHIP | 13.0 IP | 10.4 K/9 | 2.1 BB/9

• After a dominant first season in the DSL that saw Silvestre post a 2.08 ERA, he heads to Arizona to try to replicate those numbers. He didn’t get a ton of innings last year but was utterly dominant when he pitched. The command is solid and should allow him to start in the future.

Luis Tejeda – RHP – Age: 19

2023 Season Stats (DSL): 4.74 ERA |1.16 WHIP | 49.1 IP | 7.8 K/9 | 1.8 BB/9

• Tejeda threw a combined 86 innings over two seasons in ther DSL, and now heads to Arizona. The righty doesn’t have overpowering stuff but has great control. At 6’2”, 170 lbs, Tejeda has plenty of strength to add to his frame.

Luichi Casilla – LHP – Age:19

2023 Season Stats (DSL): 3.32 ERA | 1.40 WHIP | 40.2 IP | 9.7 K/9 | 3.8 BB/9

• With a fastball that reaches 99 mph, Casilla has not only the most potential out of any pitcher on this roster but arguably has the most potential out of any pitcher in the ACL period. The lefty from the Dominican Republic has two plus pitches in his fastball and curve. Like most teen pitchers, he is still developing his third pitch in his changeup. What makes the potential with Casilla exciting is that he should be able to continue to start in the future. There’s a lot of risk here, but Casilla has immense potential.

Kannon Handy – LHP-Age: 23

2023 Season Stats (Colorado Mesas, D2): 5.57 ERA | 1.79 WHIP | 64.2 IP | 12.2 K/9 | 5.3 BB/9

• After 4 standout seasons at Colorado Mesa University,  Handy was drafted in the 19th round last season. The lefty doesn’t overpower hitters due to it topping out at around 90 mph. Handy gets a lot of outs due to his slider and changeup that got ridiculous whiff rates last year at CMU. 

Michael Prosecky – LHP – Age: 23

2023 Season Stats (Low-A): 2.72 ERA | 1.17 WHIP | 109.P IP | 10.3 K/9 | 3.4 BB/9

• After a great first pro season that saw him successfully transition from a college reliever to pro starter, Prosecky began this season on the injured list. His roster status now indicates that he is healthy, so I am not entirely sure why he is on the ACL roster and not in Spokane. Perhaps he is still rehabbing or working on developing a third pitch. At his best the lefty has a deceptive delivery and pairs it with a 95 mph fastball. 

Cory Wills – LHP – Age: 26

2023 Season Stats (Northern Colorado Owlz, IND): 5.14 ERA | 1.71 WHIP | 49.0 IP | 11.9 K/9 | 4.6 BB/9

• Wills is the oldest member on the ACL roster. Primarily an outfielder at Yavapai College and then Pepperdine, Wills only started pitching his senior year. He spent the last two years in Independent Ball, most recently pitching with the Northern Colorado Owlz. He’s got a lot of strikeout stuff but the walks need to come down.

Juan Castillo – C – Age: 21

2023 Season Stats (ACL): .240/.345/.320 (.665 OPS) | 0 HR | 5 RBI | 8.5 BB% | 25.4 K%

• After two seasons in the DSL, Castillo had limited offensive output in his first year at the ACL. Primarily a glove-first backup, the offensive production is still developing. In his best DSL season, he made a solid amount of contact but had limited pop.

Jesus Freitez – C – Age:18

2023 Season Stats (DSL): .359/.519/.487 (1.006 OPS) | 0 HR | 10 RBI | 4 SB | 21.8 BB% | 18.1 K%

• In just his first season in the DSL, Freitez had a great offensive season. The then 17-year old hit .359 and walked more than he struck out. His power output was limited but it was only his first pro season. Now in the ACL, Freitez joins a crowded catcher with loads of potential.

Franklin Lopez – C – Age: 19

2023 Season Stats (DSL): .379/.451/.629 (1.080 OPS) | 6 HR | 31 RBI | 1 SB | 6.3 BB% | 13.3 K%

• In his second DSL season, Lopez’s offensive output took a major step-up. He constantly destroyed the cover off of the ball hitting 6 home runs with a 1.080 OPS. The only con to his great season was that he struck out a bit too much. Even in a crowded catcher room, I’d expect that Lopez gets a lot of reps.

Francisco Garcia – INF – Age: 21

2023 Season Stats (ACL): .233/.324/.567 (.891 OPS) | 2 HR | 15 RBI | 2.9 BB% | 38.2 K%

• Now in his third season in the ACL, Garcia is looking to improve his offensive production. The first baseman has struggled badly in his two seasons in Arizona. His offense took a step-up last year, but it was still below average overall. With the needed offensive output for first baseman, Garcia’s will need to get to his power more this season.

Nick Gile – INF – Age:25

2023 Season Stats (ACL): .223/.353/.455 (.808 OPS) | 5 HR | 22 RBI | 2 SB | 14.0 BB% | 27.2 K%

• Gile had a college baseball journey, going from Madison Area Technical College, to Creighton University, to Illinois State where he hit .284 with 9 homers in his senior year. After his senior season, the Rockies signed Gile to a minor league contract. Gile struggled a bit in the ACL against younger competition but showed some intriguing power.

Roynier Hernandez – INF – Age: 19

2023 Season Stats (DSL): .339/.445/.406 (.851 OPS) | 0 HR | 35 RBI | 6 SB | 15.1 BB% | 10.6 K%

• Following a great 2023 season, Hernandez is now set to make his stateside debut. A great defensive shortstop with a plus arm, Roynier also has a super polished hit tool. Thanks to his compact frame and short swing, he is able to make a bunch of contact. There’s little to none pop here, but if he can develop more power, he could be an every day in the majors.

Kevin Hidalgo – INF – Age: 19

2023 Season Stats (DSL): .310/.406/.574 (.980 OPS) | 12 HR | 54 RBI | 14 SB | 12.1 BB% | 19.7 K%

• Hidalgo absolutely dominated the DSL in 2023. The Dominican Republic native showed five tool potential while impacting the game in several ways. His swing can get out of sync at times and his plate discipline needs to improve, but he has the potential to be a great offensive player. His defensive actions need to improve, but he has a cannon for an arm. He is ranked as the 17th best prospect in the system according to FanGraphs.

Bairon Ledesma – INF – Age: 19

2023 Season Stats (DSL): .335/.406/.442 (.848 OPS) | 3 HR | 35 RBI | 19 SB | 11.4 BB% | 11.0 K%

• In just his first pro season, Ledesma showcased a super advanced feel for the barrel. He’s an undersized infielder with a fringy arm that pushes him to second base. The hit tool and approach are plus, but the key here will be how much power he can get to.

Sklyer Messinger – INF – Age: 25

2023 Season Stats (Low-A): .258/.364/.475 (.839 OPS) | 18 HR | 78 RBI | 7 SB | 12.4 BB% | 26.0 K%

• The 19th rounder out of 2022 had a great first pro season, hitting 18 homers at Fresno. Surprisingly, Messenger wasn’t listed on Spokane or Fresno’s roster to begin the season. I’m not exactly sure why Messinger is listed on the ACL roster after a great 2023 season.

Christopher Navarro – INF – Age: 24

CALLED UP TO ALBUQUERQUE ISOTOPES ON MAY 19

2023 Season Stats (A+,AA): .175/.240/.246 (.486 OPS) | 0 HR | 9 RBI | 7.9 BB% | 24.4 K%

• Navarro has slowly climbed the minor league ladder reaching Hartford in ‘22 and ‘23. Like Messinger, it’s surprising to see him in ACL because his career experience warrants a higher level than this. Navarro has a weak bat, but provides a great glove in the infield.

Erick Bautista – OF – Age: 19

2023 Season Stats (DSL): .271/.410/.529 (.939 OPS) | 9 HR | 29 RBI | 8 SB | 15.7 BB% | 34.8 K%

• Bautista spent the last two seasons in the DSL. Over the past two seasons, he’s shown that he has a ton of raw pop but lots of strikeout issues. He’s a solid defender in the outfield with decent range. The strikeouts issues are concerning but the potential here is crazy.

Derek Bernard – OF

2023 Season Stats (DSL): .311/.411/.563 (.974 OPS) | 7 HR | 40 RBI | 17 SB | 14.4 BB% | 17.8 K%

• Bernard had a great 2023 season, hitting 7 home runs with a .974 OPS at just 17 years old. While he can play some second base, Bernard is primarily a left fielder. While he is close to maxed out, he has a ton of raw power. He’s a solid defensive outfielder, but will most likely be limited to the corners due to his below-average speed. The key thing to watch will be to see how his hit tool develops.

Robert Calaz – OF – Age: 18

2023 Season Stats (DSL): .325/.423/.561 (.984 OPS) | 7 HR | 29 RBI | 6 SB | 11.6 BB% | 22.8 K%

• Calaz was a major prospect in international free agency who signed for 1.7 million. He dominated in the DSL last season, and reinforced many scouts belief that he has the best power potential in the Rockies system. There are concerns with his contact tool and defensive future, but in terms of potential; it’s hard to match Calaz. He is ranked as the 12th best prospect in the system according to Fangraphs.

Brad Cumbest – OF – Age: 23

2023 Season Stats (DNP)

• Cumbest played four seasons at Mississippi State, and was drafted in the 9th round by the Rockies in 2022. Unfortunately, his pro career hasn’t gone the way that he or the Rockies would hope. After playing in six games at the rookie ball level after bing drafted, Cumbest missed all of last season due to injury. He showed a lot of potential as a prospect when he was drafted, so the hope here is that he can continue to stay healthy.

Niko Decolati – OF – Age: 26

2023 Season Stats (AA): .225/.380/.313 (.693 OPS) | 3 HR | 16 RBI | 12 SB | 16.1 BB% | 25.7 K%

• The 26 year old Boulder, Colorado native is now spending his 7th season in the Rockies organization. Like Messinger and Navarro, it’s confusing why Decolati is on this roster. He spent the past two seasons at Hartford, hitting .225 with 3 home runs last season. The last time he was in rookie ball he hit .327 with 11 home runs in 2018.

Yeiker Reyes – OF – Age: 18

2023 Season Stats (DSL): .301/.431/.367 (.798 OPS) | 0 HR | 19 RBI | 33 SB | 14.1 BB% | 17.5 K%

• The 8th best ranked prospect in the Rockies system according to Fangraphs, Reyes is poised for a big year. The lefty outfielder has legitimate five-tool potential, though it remains to be seen how much power he can get to. Reyes has a super mature approach at the plate and makes a ton of contact. He’s a great defensive centerfield with a plus arm and speed. He’s one of the most exciting prospects on this team.