Blake Street Banter Team | @BlakeStBanter | July 26, 2024

It’s here! If you’ve checked out our honorable mentions and/or our 30-16 rankings that released earlier today, surely you’re more excited about seeing the pride of the organization’s farm system ranked, featuring a trio of new and esteemed draft prospects. It’s safe to say this is one of the best top groups the Rockies have ever had.

Curious who we had pre-season? Look no further:
Honorable Mentions | 31 – 40 | 21 – 30 | 11 – 20 | 10-1

15 – Gabriel Hughes, RHP, 22

Hughes has not had the ideal path for a top-10 pick, struggling to prevent runs in Double-A, following an aggressive assignment by the Rockies, before requiring Tommy John surgery. Still, this is an uber-talented arm with real mid-rotation potential. At his best, Hughes sits 94-96 with great extension on his fastball, backed up by a solid mid-80s slider and a lively low-80s changeup.

Hughes has a history of living near the zone but will need to make a habit of pounding the zone upon his return from elbow surgery. If he starts locating better, Hughes could be a dependable starter for years to come with his mid-90s fastball and two bat-missing secondaries. Even with the surgery as a setback, Hughes will likely debut in 2025.

14 – Ryan Ritter, SS, 23

Ritter has arguably been the most consistent position player in the entire Rockies organization this year. The 23-year-old shortstop from Kentucky was drafted because of his pro-ready defense at shortstop. His profile came with some pop, but overall no one expected much from his offensive game. Last season he shocked everyone and even won the California League MVP. The main worry was strikeouts and managing the strike zone and he struggled last season in High-A and Double-A with a >35% strikeout rate. 

This season Ritter has brought that number down to 25% whilst walking at a sturdy 10% clip. His feel for the strike zone and overall hit tool are progressing. All this plus premium defense and a perfect 17-17 stealing bases equals a fully-rounded profile. Ritter has played himself into a high-value asset for the future of the Rockies. He has the tools to become one of the better backup middle infielders the Rockies have ever had with the upside for much more.

13 – Jared Thomas, OF/1B, 21

The Rockies snagged another early bat in Thomas, an uncommon high-ceiling college player. Thomas was electric this year, hitting .349 with 16 homers and 18 steals (0 caught stealing), splitting time between first base and center field. Thomas still has room to grow into his athletic 6-foot-2 frame and could eventually be a 25+ home run hitter; that’s the unusual upside to find in a collegiate player.

Thomas makes solid contact and consistently elevates the baseball, giving him a solid floor and the chance to become a real impact bat. Expect Thomas to play center field early in his pro career, though he may fit in a corner long-term. With some polish as a hitter and physical development both needed, Thomas won’t reach the bigs as soon as most 2nd round college players but a late 2026 debut is on the table.

12 – Carson Palmquist, LHP, 23

Carson Palmquist has blown all expectations out of the water. The 2022 3rd rounder now finds himself knocking on the door of The Show. A large part of it is due to his insane 34.6 K% in Double-A, but he’s allowing less than a homer per 9 innings and has become more efficient overall.

The crafty lefty has battled injury this season but has still tallied 74 innings and a WHIP that sits at 1.16. His fastball sits low 90s, can hit 95, and has a nasty swing-and-miss changeup which is one of the better pitches in the system. He mixes in a slider and has dabbled with a curveball keeping batters guessing. We could see Palmquist in purple by season’s end but we fully expect him to fight for an Opening Day roster spot in 2025.

11 – Robert Calaz, OF, 18

Though we’re yet to see Calaz in full-season ball, he’s made serious waves in the DSL and ACL. Few players produce in the power department at either level but Calaz already has 17 home runs to his name and won’t even turn 19 until after this season. This year Calaz has a 173 wRC+, leading the Arizona Complex League where the average age is in the early 20s.

Calaz not only has potential offensively with his double-plus power and average or better speed but he’s proven to be capable in center field and may get to continue roaming up the middle for at least a few more seasons. The only knock here is a 22.4 K% this year that figures to grow as Calaz faces better competition. Even with that “flaw” in mind, Calaz has one of the 3 or 4 highest ceilings in this system with a chance to be a high-end 5-tool center fielder. If he continues this level of performance, expect him to push for the big leagues in 2027.

10 – Cole Carrigg, OF/SS, 22

Cole Carrigg is on the brink of becoming a nationally well-known prospect. When people say “he can do it all” it’s normally hyperbole, but with Carrigg, there isn’t a single thing he can’t do. The profile is simple, he was announced as a catcher on draft night but has played almost all of his time playing quality defense in center field and at shortstop. Carrigg has elite speed that translates to the basepaths, as he has become one of the leaders in the MiLB with 31 stolen bases already this year. 

At the plate, he has more power than originally advertised and a solid hit tool backed by precise hands, leading to just a 17.6% strikeout rate. He has spent the whole season in High-A, where he has a blistering 143 wRC+. A promotion to Hartford is coming sooner rather than later, and that opens up the potential for Carrigg in purple pinstripes before long. Carrigg is the most unique prospect on this list and it is difficult to project exactly what his future role will be because of how diverse his skillset is. Expect a late 2025 or early 2026 call-up.

9 – Yanquiel Fernandez, OF, 21

Yanquiel Fernandez is notorious for his high-risk, power-punched swing. It has resulted in him hitting 60 home runs since 2021. The risk factor was his swing-and-miss probability and approach. He chased too many pitches and struck out a lot because of it. Eventually, teams caught on, and it made Yanquiel slow down quite a bit in 2023.

In 2024, Yanquiel cut his strikeout percentage by 13.8%, while also walking the most he has in his full-season ball career. The improvement of Fernandez’s hit tool alleviates the biggest concern for his projectability, though he has benefitted there at the expense of some game power. With his huge raw power and a better approach at the plate giving him a wRC+ of 111, the sky could be the limit if he can blend the improved hit and always present power. We will be seeing Fernandez in purple pinstripes sooner than later.

8 – Drew Romo, C, 22

In his first full season at Triple-A, Romo is performing admirably hitting .293 with 12 home runs. He’s doing this while playing solid defense behind the plate. Just 22 years old, the former 35th overall pick could be the backstop of the future for the Rox and should arrive sometime this year.

After hitting .254 with 13 home runs last season at Hartford, Romo’s offensive numbers have taken a step-up; albeit in a more hitter-friendly environment. The Texas native makes a lot of contact and has grown into more power, but his chase rate does need to come down, limiting Romo’s ability to work walks. Baserunners have had success against him this season, but Romo is a capable backstop who has handled the Albuquerque rotation well. If he can make better decisions at the plate, he could be carrying the load at Coors Field soon.

7 – Sean Sullivan, LHP, 22

As we’ve covered before, Sullivan is a wizard. The Rockies 2023 second-rounder is a wholly unique pitcher, throwing from a near-sidearm slot with elite extension towards home plate. This makes him a one-of-a-kind look for hitters. When you factor in the fact that he can pinpoint pitches with ease, you get the dominant starter that Sullivan is.

Sullivan hit a bit of an innings threshold in the middle of June and the Rockies opted to slow his pitch count down, though he’s since re-entered Spokane’s rotation. All things considered, Sullivan owns a 2.45 ERA this year with 81 strikeouts to just 7 walks across 73.1 innings. Sullivan has lived up to the Rockies lofty expectations and figures to be in the mix for starts sometime next season.

6 – Zac Veen, OF, 22

When Zac Veen is healthy, he is a game changer. It is a tale of two different players with Zac’s production when he is fighting through an injury to ball out with the boys versus being 100% healthy. Veen has played with the Yard Goats for parts of 3 seasons, all yielding vastly different results. In 2022, he had a WRC+ of 42 after a solid season in Spokane. This can often be the case with late-season promotions, especially to Double-A. 

However, Veen went on to the Arizona Fall League and balled out at the end of the season (3 week layoff to regain strength in his wrist). In 2023 he fought through that wrist injury all season before going under the knife after 46 games and a 72 wRC+. Now, in 2024, though with another IL stint just behind him, Veen has shown he can hit and hit consistently, currently sitting with a wRC+ of 132. Veen’s rediscovering the game pop while impacting the game in a multitude of ways. With a hot start to this season, Veen opened the door for a September cup of coffee, though we need to see more of his post-injury form.

5 – Brody Brecht, RHP, 21

Brecht fell into the Rockies lap outside the first round this year. He’s got as much arm talent as any pitcher to enter the draft in years and has made notable strides each year, especially in 2024 after stepping away from the Iowa football team to solely pursue baseball. The 6-foot-4 righty posted a 3.33 ERA this year and struck out an absurd 128 batters in 78.1 innings.

Brecht can get well over 100 when he wants but routinely sits 96-98 and has a true demon of a slider. He’s working to find more consistency with a promising splitter and could eventually become a top-of-the-rotation arm if he can remain in control of his arsenal and truly develop that third pitch. The Rockies will take things slow with Brecht but a 2026 debut is certainly in play.

4 – Jordan Beck, OF, 23

Jordan Beck started the year in Albquerque, a surprise to Rockies faithful. He had a 31.8 K% in Hartford last year and didn’t quite light the Eastern League up with his power. However, the Rockies trusted their gut. After 25 games, and an OPS of .999 for the Isotopes, Beck made his MLB debut. He has 79 MLB at-bats with 2 home runs and 15 hits. Things were looking good before he broke his hand diving for a ball in center. 

The #4 Rockies prospect brings above-average everything to the table. He’s athletic to play all 3 outfield positions, though better suited for left, and at the plate Beck can pack a serious punch with a good approach, though the swing and miss will likely always be with him. Beck has a bright future ahead as a 5-tool outfielder.

3 – Adael Amador, 2B, 21

Going into 2024, Amador was considered a top 20-30 prospect in all of baseball. Praised for having one of the best hit tools in MiLB, Amador has a great feel for contact and one of the best approaches among prospects. The Rockies called him up for 10 games but he struggled in brief MLB action when he had a -6 wRC+, before suffering an oblique strain. Though his hitting hasn’t been consistent in Double-A, Amador’s discipline remains elite with a 16.2% walk rate. 

Amador’s biggest issue is handling velocity. Quality fastballs have got the better of him all season long in Double-A, and also during his short stint in MLB. With his discipline, the more action Amador sees the better he’ll end up. It takes time, but Amador is destined to be the future leadoff guy for the Rockies as soon as next year.

2 – Chase Dollander, RHP, 22

Dollander has surpassed even the expectations placed on a #9 overall pick. Back in 2022, Dollander was college baseball’s best pitcher but regressed in 2023 after mechanical adjustments unwound what made the Tennessee product so good. The Rockies seem to have helped Dollander get back to his peak form. At his best, Dollander sits 95-98 (apparently has topped at 101 this year) with a wicked slider. He can also mix in a quality curveball and changeup.

In 70 innings with Spokane, Dollander has struck out 111 and allowed just 60 hits, yielding a 2.83 ERA. That was enough to get him on a plane to Hartford, where he’ll deal in the second half. If Dollander can hit the ground running there, he’ll put himself on track for a first-half of 2025 debut.

1 – Charlie Condon, OF/3B, 21

Coming off a 37 home run season (in 60 games) with a 1.565 OPS for the Georgia Bulldogs, there’s no arguing Condon is the Rockies new #1 prospect. In fact, it’s inarguable that he’s now one of MLB’s top 15 prospects (should be higher). He’s got huge, functional game power coming from his flyball-driven swing, makes a lot of contact, and handles all different types of pitches and velocity well. 

Condon is a quality athlete for his 6-foot-6 size and will be able to handle any corner position for Colorado, though the corner outfield is his best bet on an expedited timeline to the bigs. Expect the Rockies new #1 to push for the big league roster sometime next year as the Rockies won’t be taking a slow timeline here.

Don’t miss our 40-31 Rankings! or BSB’s 30-16 Rankings

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