Luke Wortman | @Luke_W31 | February 12
Ranking prospects is difficult and far from science. Each year is a new opportunity for each prospect to improve and increase their stock. Given that I posted my personal list of the top 62 prospects in the Rockies system, I thought it would make sense to post this article on which players in this system could become listed much higher on my (and others’) prospect lists for this system next year.
For this exercise, I will list prospects who were on my list and others who were not. Household names like Adael Amador, Chase Dollander, Jordan Beck, and others are not going to be listed in this article. While they certainly could improve their standing or impact the majors; they are already quite well known. Attached with each prospect is their stats from last season.
Andy Perez– SS/2B
.245 AVG, .280 OBP, .316 SLG, 1 HR, 21 SB
Perez is a 19-year-old middle infielder who is super projectable. He spent all of last season at Fresno where he hit .245 with 1 home run. His offensive numbers weren’t super pretty but it’s important to keep in mind that he was over two years younger than the average competition. I left him off the top prospects list because he has a hole in his swing and his power projection is low. Luckily, Perez is super young and also has plenty of opportunity to add strength to his frame as he is 6-3 but only weighs 165 pounds. Perez’s best skill is his defense which gives him a high floor. There’s a ton of potential here if everything comes together.
Connor Staine – RHP
5.25 ERA, 8.9 K/9, 2.7 BB/9, 94.1 IP
At his best last season, Staine looked like one of the best pitchers in the system. Unfortunately, his performance wasn’t super consistent and most other outlets do not have him ranked in the Rockies system. Staine’s fastball typically resides in the mid-90s and he compliments it with some strong offspeeds. However, his best tool is his command which comfortably grades as plus. Once he plays stronger competition (he only played at Fresno last season despite being 22), he should gain more recognition.
Jarrod Cande – RHP
3.25 ERA, 9.3 K/9, 2.2 BB/9, 105.1 IP
While he hasn’t received much recognition for it, Cande has been one of the better pitching performers in the system since being picked in the 17th round out of Florida Southern in 2021. Last year at hitter-friendly Spokane Jarrod pitched to a 3.25 era and averaged 9.3 K/9. While he doesn’t have overpowering stuff, he throws a lot of strikes and his offspeeds get solid movement. I expect that he will start next season at double-a and if everything goes well, he could make an impact in the majors next season.
Bryant Betancourt – C/1B
.244 AVG, 325 OBP, 327 SLG, 4 HR, 2 SB
Like Perez, Betancourt spent all of last season as a 19-year-old at Fresno. In 2022, he had a great season in the DSL hitting .355 with 11 home runs and walked more than he struck out. While his season at Fresno was nowhere near as good as it was in 2022, his hit tool still shined as above average and he walked a good amount. His projected power is below average and it’s not a sure thing that he will stick at catcher. Regardless, Betancourt is still super young and if his power can improve, Betancourt will be ranked much higher come next year.
Seth Halvorsen – RHP
2.70 ERA, 8.8 K/9, 2.7 BB/9, 13.1 IP
Despite reaching double-a within months of being drafted, Halvorsen’s remarkably quick ascent to the upper levels of minors went relatively unnoticed. The 7th rounder from the University of Tennesee has a fastball that reaches the upper-90s and he throws it with a solid splitter and slider. He only has 13 pro innings under his belt so his pro track record isn’t well established but he’s got all the makings of a solid reliever who could be in the majors next year.
Thanks for reading!
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