Blake Street Banter Team | September 26, 2025
Prospects 25–21 showcase a mix of high-upside athletes and intriguing arms. From Kelvin Hidalgo’s speed and power potential to Jaden Hill’s closer stuff, Ben Shields’ steady rise, Roldy Brito’s breakout bat, and Yujanyer Herrera’s return from injury, this group could impact the Rockies in big ways.
Prospect Honorable Mentions | Prospects 50-41 | Prospects 40 – 31 | Prospects 30-26
#25: IF Kelvin Hidalgo
When talking about overall talent, Kelvin Hidalgo might be the most encouraging prospect in the system. Standing 6-foot-1 and 166 pounds, the 20 year old has ideal baseball athleticism. He’s a twitchy, quick-footed shortstop with a strong arm that should keep him on the left side of the infield. This season he has swiped 42 bases, so his speed + instincts on the base paths have been on full display. His frame packs a punch offensively, and when he barrels up a ball more likely than not it goes a long way.
After dominating the DSL, Hidalgo made his way stateside for the 2024 season. That year between the ACL and Low-A he hit an impressive .287 and struck out less than most 19 year olds were in the lower levels. This earned him a full Low-A promotion, and in 2025 he’s played 113 games for Fresno so far.
Hidalgo has a long swing. It stays in the zone for a long time, and takes longer than expected for his barrel to pass through the zone. This prevents him from making consistent hard contact, pulling baseballs, and optimizing his power. A swing like Hidalgo’s is easy to exploit for pitching staffs, but his plus coordination prevents his swing to be a major problem. However, this is the second year in a row where the problem hasn’t been addressed so until it’s fixed it will continue hurting his stock. His combination of power and speed usually makes for a Major Leaguer, and that will be exactly what to keep an eye on for Hidalgo.
#24: RP Jaden Hill
The Rockies have been criticized for the ineptness and complete lack of continuity when it comes to pitching development. Despite this notion, they have done some incredible things with the arm barn. The bullpen at the MLB level and in the farm is full of talent and high velocity. Jaden Hill is one of the most talented and has a case to be the future closer for this Rockies team.
There are tons to like about Jaden Hill. Standing at 6’4 and carrying an upper 90s fastball, Hill is impossible to miss. Despite being assigned to the bullpen, Hill has plenty of tricks up his sleeve. His sinker is his most used pitch and is vital for getting ground ball outs at Coors. His slider is the perfect pitch to win an at bat with a 44% Whiff percentage. Adding to an already impressive arsenal, Hill’s best pitch might be his changeup. It tails hard to his armside against right-handed hitters and drops considerably too. It shouldn’t be a problem in Coors due to the already low spin rates, relying more on gravity rather than spin.
A second round draft pick in 2022, Hills was hindered during the draft process with injuries. Beyond the injuries, Hill checked most of the boxes you want in a pitching prospect. The Rockies developed him as a starter for the first couple of seasons, but after more injuries to his throwing arm, they decided to move him to the bullpen. In the bullpen, he saw his fastball tick up and his overall performances improved. This decision meant he flew up the ranks, and he made his MLB debut late in the 2024 season.
2025 has been brutal for Hill. He started the season dominating Triple-A before getting called back up to the Rockies for a short stint before going back to Albuquerque and getting injured. After his injury he was assigned back to the Rockies where he has been a regular out of the bullpen ever since. The underlying data looks great, but the lack of an MLB sample size during the past two seasons will cast doubt over his potential run at the closer position in 2026. Despite being in a crowded arm barn, Jaden Hill might just be the one to reach the highest peak. He has all the arm talent to do it. Staying healthy will be the deciding factor.
#23: SP Ben Shields
Shields was part of the Jake Bird return at this year’s deadline and his atypical prospect profile and unusual path to the big leagues seem to have him underfavored in prospect circles. Shields was an undrafted free agent from George Mason, going unselected in the 2023 MLB Draft because of his status as a super senior with underpowered stuff.
Fast forward to 2025 and Shields is an ascendant lefty with a chance to start at the MLB level and will certainly make an impact as a versatile relief arm. So far in his 2 year pro career, Shields owns a 3.21 ERA over 30 starts (39 total games) with 202 strikeouts in 160 innings. Shields entered the pro ranks with a fastball that topped around 92 but now can get up to 95 and averages around 93 from a low deceptive slot that can miss bats and at least keep hitters on their heels. Where Shields really wins is with his breaking balls; he can spin both a curveball and slider with similar velocity but distinct shapes. There is also quality command here, giving Shields the upside to be a starter, though the 6-foot-4 lefty may be best used in a leverage multi-inning relief role.
#22: OF Roldy Brito
Signed for $420,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2024, Roldy Brito had one of the biggest breakouts for any prospect in Minor League Baseball. The 18-year-old has special athleticism, having stolen 59 career bases in under 140 career minor league games. That speed profiles him best as a middle infielder and centerfielder; spending most time between second base and centerfield.
His 2024 campaign in the DSL was rough, hitting below league average in an offense-friendly environment, compiling a wRC+ of 89 and only 10 extra base hits. However, he showed impressive plate discipline and ability to put the ball in play. Enough for the Rockies to assign him to the ACL just one season after, and from there he truly broke out. He sustained his great hit tool, and added onto his power. Raising his slugging% from .314 to .555 in one season (all while facing harder pitching). He ended his ACL campaign with a .368/.445/.555 slash line alongside three home runs and 22 stolen bags. Winning him the ACL MVP, with the third-highest wRC+ at 159.
Players usually struggle as they progress through the minors, as for Brito it’s the opposite. After the ACL ended he was sent up to Low-A Fresno, and in 33 games he raised his batting average and struck out 3% less than he was in the ACL. What?! Brito finished with his season with the 8th best wRC+ in Minor League Baseball at 157, behind the likes of #1 and #2 prospects in baseball, Konnor Griffin & Kevin McGonigle.
With his thrilling athleticism and elite statistical performances, Brito is poised to expand on his prior success and small-ball his way to the Majors sooner than everyone at BSB may expect.
#21: SP Yujaner Herrera
Yujanyer Herrera and Bradley Blalock were acquired at the 2024 MLB Trade Deadline in exchange for Right-Handed Reliever Nick Mears. At the time of the trade, Herrera was amidst a breakout season where he was seeing career lows in ERA and WHIP, while also striking out more batters than ever. After the trade he carried the same success into the Rockies organization. Finishing the season with a 3.04 ERA across 100.2 innings pitched making it up to High-A.
Standing 6-foot-3, Herrera has a big presence on the mound. He offers both a 4-seam and a sinker that live in the mid-90s, while also throwing a harder slider with a lot of break. His two-pitch mix would work well for a reliever, but as of now the Rockies are using him as a starter so eventually a solid third pitch will need to be added.
Unfortunately, Herrera has missed the entire 2024 season due to Tommy John Surgery, but he is currently throwing off the mound and looks to have an entire off-season of training to prepare for his age 22 campaign in 2026.
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