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

Earlier, we dropped the honorable mentions for our post-draft Colorado Rockies prospect rankings. Now it’s time to get into the meat of the list. The back half of our top 30 features 2 recent draftees mixed in with much of the organization’s athletic depth and several arms likely to impact the Rockies pitching staff in due time.

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

30 – Blake Wright, 3B/2B, 22

A surprise senior sign in the 4th round of the 2024 draft, Wright has a strong toolset and can do a bit of everything on the field. His power took a major step forward this season and hit 22 home runs with a .340 average at Clemson as one of the ACC’s best players.

Offensively, Wright has average power that plays up because of his lofty swing and he makes a lot of contact, although he does have an aggressive approach. He’s a good runner who can play throughout the infield, primarily playing third base this season, though the Rockies may give him time at 2B. Wright is one of the more advanced draftees in the 2024 class, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him in Spokane at the start of next season.

29 – Jaden Hill, RHP, 24

Hill is one of the most talented players in the Rockies system, but injuries have derailed his progression at every stage of his career. Drafted in the second round out of LSU after having Tommy John surgery, Hill always came with an injury red flag. After a brutal 2023, which saw him start 16 games to a tune of a 9.48 ERA in High-A Spokane, the Rockies shifted his focus to the bullpen ahead of the 2024 season. 

In the bullpen, he has finally be able to show off the potential of his fastball that can reach triple digits. His changeup is one of if not the best in the Rockies system, and his slider is getting more consistent as a power weapon. The bullpen will be his long-term home, and for good reason as his power can play up while the injury risk is mitgated. Hill is Rule-5 Draft eligible next season, so he’s a lock to be added to the 40-man this winter, if not sooner.

28 – Luichi Casilla, LHP, 19

Going into the 2024 season, Luichi Casilla was almost unheard of as a prospect. He didn’t receive a high bonus, and although he did perform well in the DSL, it wasn’t enough to get much recognition. Before the season started, however, Casilla was throwing high 90s and even topped out at 100 from the left side. That left many intrigued by his profile going forward.

Casilla’s 2024 has been inconsistent in every aspect except for one–his ability to miss bats and generate strikeouts. His fastball vastly ranges from 92 to 98 MPH, strikes have come and gone. At just 19 years old, Casilla–a very raw prospect–has plenty of time to develop. It’s a possibility that the Rockies transition him into being a reliever to maintain his high velocity. With his dominant fastball and solid curveball, it gives the Rockies an intriguing left-hander for the future.

27 – Greg Jones, OF/SS, 26

When the Rockies traded for Greg Jones, it was deemed questionable by many Rockies fans. However, the former Tampa 1st rounder has put together a nice season for himself in 2024. He’s slashing .265/.367/.426 with 23 steals. Even in the PCL, his wRC+ of 101 suggests he’s above league average. Going into 2024, Jones’s biggest issue was the strikeouts and this season he’s cut them down by 13.6%. Not to mention, Greg Jones is usually the most athletic player on the field, making him suitable for both shortstop and center field or anywhere else a team might need him.

For Greg Jones, his strikeouts are still the big underlying problem. He did cut them down a lot, an encouraging development that he might keep them in check enough to be a good big leaguer. Aside from that, Jones has elite speed and huge raw power though it inconsistently shows up in games. Jones has all the tools to be a viable Major Leaguer and could be a glue guy in time.

26 – Mason Albright, LHP, 21

Also part of the trade that sent Randal Grichuk and C.J. Cron to the Angels last summer, Albright has found his footing in the Rockies organization. The lefty won’t blow anyone away with stuff, though he has strong feel for his 4-pitch arsenal and throws plenty of strikes. While Albright’s 4.81 ERA doesn’t jump out, the fact that he’s been moderately successful in Double-A while still 21 is impressive.

Left-handed pitching always seems to be in short supply, but Albright figures to impact the big league roster in the coming years one way or another–either as a versatile relief arm or as a backend starter. The upside isn’t big here but Albright is a pitcher’s pitcher with the age curve on his side. Expect him to be in the mix for a call-up next season with 2026 as his more likely ETA.

25 – Michael Prosecky, LHP, 23

Drafted in the sixth round of the 2022 MLB Draft, Prosecky is on track to emerge as a household name on the pitching side of the Rockies farm system. Prosecky is a tall left-handed pitcher whose best pitch is a fastball that sits around 92-93, topping out at 96 with good life. He has become reliant on his fastball, using it 67% of the time in 2023. 

Despite being a heavy fastball pitcher, Prosecky has improved his changeup in the past year, making it a quality part of his arsenal and the third pitch behind his heavy-dropping curveballl. While in college, Prosecky was a dominant relief pitcher, becoming one of the best in Louisville’s history. Despite his success as a reliever, the Rockies saw starter upside if the southpaw could refine his changeup. Prosecky is one of the most underrated prospects in baseball. He’s got a fair amount of power for a lefty and has flashed above-average command that could lead him to an MLB starting gig.

24 – Dyan Jorge, SS, 21

Jorge was signed for 2.8 million in 2022 and got off to a great start in his first taste of stateside ball, hitting .370 with 3 homers at rookie ball before putting up middling numbers at Fresno to end 2023. Just 21 years old, Jorge is continuing to put up solid baseline numbers, hitting .281 with 24 stolen bags at Spokane.

There’s a ton to like about Jorge’s profile as a super projectable shortstop with great feel for contact. The risk here is that Jorge hasn’t hit a homer since his promotion to Fresno, and only has 10 extra-base hits total. The hope here is that Jorge can add strength to his profile to add power. If Jorge can, there’s a huge upside here but his prospect stock depends on some development on that front. Regardless, Jorge will be in the mix for big league time early on in 2026.

23 – Ashly Andujar, SS, 16

17 years old on July 29th, Andujar has leaps and bounds to cover to be a big leaguer but he does have some very stable tools. Andujar will play a slick shortstop, with the fallback of him being an excellent second baseman, because his range and instincts are advanced for his age. Those instincts carry over to Andujar’s feel for hitting.

The downside here is Andujar does not project to hit for much power at any stage of his career, perhaps emerging as a 5-10 home run threat later on. Power is less of a requisite for a shortstop than other positions though and if Andujar can remain rock solid defensively and get on base, he’ll keep rising through the system. The earliest we might be talking about a debut is 2028.

22 – Benny Montgomery, OF, 21

Benny is about to turn 22. He’s been in the system for 3 seasons. He’s played in 176 games at the A-level or higher since his 2021 draft selection. Simply put, the kid hasn’t stayed healthy. He’s athletic enough to play a good centerfield and has shown improvement as a defender over the last three seasons. He’s added muscle and was showing more power in his 11 games in Hartford this season, however, he’s just as big of a project as he was when he was drafted, largely because of the missed time.

The biggest concern when the Rockies drafted Benny was the hitch in his swing. The hitch is still there and so are the strikeouts. In 48 plate appearances, he struck out 20 times. On the flip side of that, when he made contact it was hard contact. He had 4 doubles and 2 home runs for a .500 SLG in the early going. We’re hoping the shoulder heals nicely and he can come back soon and work on that strikeout rate and make strides as a hitter. 

21 – Cole Messina, C, 21

The Rockies 3rd round pick, Messina is built like a moose, as his nickname suggests. Moose can absolutely pack a punch, recording 21 homers this year and a stellar 1.166 OPS and he delivers a smart at bat practically every time. Messina made a huge impact on the South Carolina program’s culture through his leadership and overall presence and should do the same in the Rockies organization.

Defensively, Messina is solid though he doesn’t excel in any one area. His experience and ability to manage a staff will be his carrying tool defensively. Think of Messina in the same vein as Hunter Goodman, though with a better chance to catch and get on base. Moose looks like Romo’s future counterpart into the late 2020s.

20 – Kyle Karros, 3B, 22

After a pretty lackluster 2023 season at UCLA, it seemed like a pedigree-driven selection by Colorado in the 5th round last year. However, Karros proved that an ankle injury truly bogged down his performance leading into the draft. The son of longtime Dodgers infielder Eric, Kyle is one of the more polished hitters in the Rockies system. In Spokane this year, Karros has a 153 wRC+ built on a low strikeout rate of 19.3% and tons of quality contact.

With 9 home runs already–impressive as this is his first full season as a pro–Karros is showing his powerful 6-foot-5 power frame isn’t just for show. As such a polished hitter already, the thought that Karros could eventually grow into more power is tantalizing. A full-time third baseman now, Karros profiles to play either corner infield spot at the big league level, as soon as late next year.

19 – Connor Staine, RHP, 23

A 5th-round pick out of UCF in 2022, Staine is currently tossing a 4.66 ERA in 63.2 innings with Spokane. Staine showcases one of the most athletic deliveries in the Rockies system, and the ball jumps out of his hand with mid-90s velocity and a still-developing arsenal. 

Staine’s command can fluctuate but when he’s throwing well, he can dot the strikezone and be a difficult assignment for hitters. His fastball tops out at 97 and pairs it with a solid slider and curve. If he can refine his pitch mix a bit more, Staine could be pitching in Hartford soon with an estimated 2026 MLB arrival.

18 – Jack Mahoney, RHP, 22

Mahoney has been one of the most consistent pitchers in all of MiLB this year. His ERA sits at 3.41 in a grueling 87 innings pitched in the first half. The Grizzlies have had several dominant pitching performances this year, though Mahoney has arguably been the most impressive, supporting his status as a potential middle-of-the-rotation arm. 

His fastball can reach up to 97 mph and is great at inducing weak contact and ground balls. Alongside his fastball, Mahoney throws a changeup and slider, both sitting in the mid-80s. The changeup has been great for picking up early strikes and working counts. He would benefit massively if he improved his slider and added a fourth pitch to his arsenal. At worst, Mahoney will impact the big league club as a reliever and could get there early in 2026.

17 – Jordy Vargas, RHP, 20

Jordy Vargas is one of the most highly touted pitching prospects in recent Rockies history with some national acclaim over the years. He has an ideal frame for a pitcher; long limbs and a high waist. To match the physicality, Vargas has a great feel for his fastball, averaging in the mid-90s, topping out at 98. Then Vargas mixes in a 55-grade curveball that nobody in the lower levels has been able to hit. Proven evident by his MiLB career ERA of 3.12, and 29.4 K% in 150 IP.

Unfortunately for Vargas, he had Tommy John surgery at the end of the 2023 season. However, we could be seeing a return to games closer to the end of the season. His development has been slightly held back, but Jordy Vargas will continue making noise at every affiliate he’s assigned to. With the delayed timeline, Vargas likely gets on the MLB radar in 2026. 

16 – Sterlin Thompson, UTIL, 23

Some of us are higher on Sterlin than others and his 2024 numbers weigh against a positive stance, but it’s hard to lose faith in Thompson and his hit tool that was close to big-league ready on draft night. His 2024 hasn’t gone to plan, but a giant part of his depressed numbers come from an abysmal June. In 20 games in June, Thompson slashed .175/.233/.350 with 26 strikeouts. The month of July has been much hotter for Thompson with a .280/.400/.460 line in 14 games and a decent April and May before that. 

This seems to be a common theme with prospects in Hartford. Recall Romo’s roller coaster of a year in 2023? Thompson seems to be working on his best Romo impression to end the season on a high note. He has yet to find a defensive home, he’s learning to play 1B this season, but has seen a lot of time in left which is also a fairly new position for him (he spent a majority of his 2023 season in the infield). There are now more questions than at the beginning of the season, but Thompson still has the makings of an MLB utility guy.

Don’t miss our 40-31 Rankings and stay tuned for 15-1 to come shortly today!

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