July 11, 2026 | Tyler Paddor

Well it’s my favorite time of the year. As the draft rolls on, each pick will be added to the below breakdown with as much detail as your heart could possibly desire. Check back on Monday for the full and complete version.

Preface

Paul DePodesta and Josh Byrnes will be running the show for the first time and hold a pivotal trio of top-40 selections. Making good use of these resources is absolutely essential for the club to continue on an upward trajectory into the late 2020s.

Subsequently, while I imagine this being a balanced draft in terms of risk and safety, safety will likely be prioritized early. The club figures to take at least two collegiate prospects through Pick #38 (their third selection), players which could impact the MLB club as soon as late next season.

In terms of the top round prospects, this drafts strength lie in the following ways:

• Early Round 1 collegiate hitters
• Late Round 1-to-early Round 2 prep hitters and pitchers
• Late Round 1-to-Round 3 collegiate pitchers
• Round 2-to-Round 5 collegiate hitting

This is one of the stronger recent classes for collegiate hitting with a really strong crop of hitters set to be available into round 5, though the top of round 1 is as balanced as it’s ever been with a half-dozen offensive prospects all tightly packed into a tier 2. That list includes Tyler Bell, Drew Burress, Derek Curiel, Chris Hacopian, AJ Gracia, and Ryder Helfrick. Players like Justin Lebron, Ace Reese, and Sawyer Strosnider aren’t far off the trail either.

In terms of collegiate pitching, it’s a ripe crop for the Rockies between picks 37 and 76 with simply too many possible late 1st rounders to possibly fit in the draft’s first 36 picks. Names like Cole Carlon, Tegan Kuhns, Cade Townsend, Jack Radel, Mason Edwards, Logan Reddemann, and Taylor Rabe all candidates to slip to picks 37 and 38 and all of whom project as legit mid rotation starters.

The prep hitting group is also strong with Bo Lowrance, Cole Prosek, Tyler Spangler, Aiden Ruiz, Landon Thome, Taj Marchand, and Rocco Maniscalco, among others, all standing as prospects who could have a taker in the top 30 but project to be in play for the Rockies early.

Their pitching counterparts include Coleman Borthwick, Logan Schmidt, Carson Bolemon, Brody Bumila (unfortunately underwent elbow surgery recently), and Jensen Hirschkorn, among others, are all high quality arms in range of the Rockies pick.

Day 1

Round 1, Pick #10 – Tyler Bell, SS, Kentucky

2026 Stats: 41 G/194 PA, .343/.510/.608 (1.119 OPS), 9 HR, 30 BB/36 K

Bell was who I predicted the Rockies to take and the board ended up affording the Rockies the opportunity. Switch hitting athletic shortstops do not grow on trees and as a draft-eligible sophomore, Bell and his mere 97 games of NCAA action hasn’t had the reps of his first round counterparts and presumably extra room to develop.

Previously drafted by the Rays in 2024, Bell decided on attending the University of Kentucky knowing he had extra leverage as a future draft-eligible sophomore. Bell made huge strides from his freshman year, seeing his OPS jump from .907 to a stellar 1.119 backed by all the under the hood statistical improvements.

A shoulder injury forced Bell to miss the early portion of the season so his numbers didn’t get any non-conference inflation. Not to mention, Bell’s shoulder was never quite 100% this season so, while he dominated the SEC, the nagging shoulder was a limitation on Bell’s game.

Diving under the hood, Bell’s calling card is a premier feel for the strike zone; his 14.6 chase% was better than all early round prospects — and by a fair margin — with Vahn Lackey’s 17.1% the next closest. It had already become evident that the Rockies wanted to invest in better swing decisions and this pick strongly affirms that swing decisions and quality plate discipline will be a high priority characteristic. Bell didn’t walk at an overly high rate considering his elite chase rate at a 15.4% mark, but Bell pulled the trigger against hittable pitches in hitters counts.

Bell’s bat to ball skills are average with a 74.3 contact rate & 81.7 zone contact rate. A step of progression would serve Bell well and elevate his ceiling into a true game wrecker. Bell’s power is also only average with a 105.5 mph 90th percentile exit velocity but with a projectable frame, Bell should impact the ball a bit more in the future, setting him up for realistic 25 home run pop. Further, 36.5% of Bell’s batted balls had a launch angle of 10-30 degrees — versus a 30% average NCAA wide — which is the range for line drives and well hit fly balls and a requisite for power production.

However, an analysis of both swings is necessary to provide the complete picture. Bell is capable from both sides of the plate but is hit-over-power from the right side with much better contact rates from the right side but a more line drive oriented approach. From the left side, Bell mashes but swings and misses a fair bit more.

	Contact%	90th% EV	OPS
LHH	71.8%	105.6 mph	1.001
RHH	80%	104 mph	1.367

In terms of pitch types, an analysis from both sides of the plate is also necessary.

Tyler Bell – RHH

	Contact%	90th% EV	OPS
Fastballs	84.6%	105.3	1.479
Breaking Balls	55.6%	101	1.085
Offspeed	93.3%	99.3	1.367

Tyler Bell – LHH

	Contact%	90th% EV	OPS
Fastballs	82.4%	106	1.107
Breaking Balls	56.4%	105.6	.891
Offspeed	62.5%	96.3	.675

Clearly, Bell hits and sees fastballs well but there are ups and downs against secondaries from each side, though it’s worth noting these are not the largest of samples.

Overall, on the offensive side, Bell has some of the bests swing decisions to grace the Rockies organization and should easily walk 12-16% in the minors and hopefully carry that rate up the ladder. The power is already there and Bell should hit 20 homers a season on the lower end and possibly 30 if he continues to grow and refine his overall game. Clearly, there are imperfections to Bell’s game but draft-eligible sophomores are never close to a finished product.

Bell is a premium athlete, especially for his size and skill level. There is quality range at shortstop, excellent body control, and a loose arm that can throw from a lot of different slots. Bell will remain comfortably average or better as a shortstop defender. As a runner, Bell gets up the line with 4.15-4.2 second times which line up with plus speed. Bell didn’t steal a ton of bags for the Wildcats with 21 in his career, though the expectation should be 20-30 steals per season in a pro season.

In total, Bell brings a complete game with some of the best swing decisions available in this class. It’s not often you find an athletic shortstop with elite swing decisions, projection, and average feel for contact.

My Scouting Grades:

–	Hit	Power	Run	Field	Arm
Present	55	50	55	50	50
Future	55/60	55/60	50/55	50/55	50/55

Competitive Balance Round A, Pick #37 – Daniel Jackson, C, Georgia

2026 Stats: .379/.473/.803 (1.276 OPS), 32 HR, 26 SB, 44 BB/64 K

Jackson had a wild and uncanny season for the Bulldogs, reminiscent of Rockies 2024 top pick Charlie Condon. Jackson stole a notable 26 bags as a catcher and slugged 32 homers which paved the way to a Golden Spikes Award win.

Jackson’s power plays. His 107.8 mph 90th percentile EV gives him easy plus raw power and a mere 31.9 ground ball rate and lofty swing enable that power to play and Jackson should have no problem being one of the best home run hitters in minor league baseball. Jackson’s power and approach play to all fields with around 20 of his home runs going out to dead center or opposite field. Jackson slaughters pitches up in the zone — similar to Bell — which fits the modern hitter profile.

As a hitter, Jackson’s 72.3 contact rate is below average but his 17.7 chase rate is one of the better marks among power conference players and starts to compile an early theme in this draft class: collect disciplined hitters. Pairing plus swing decisions with plus power creates an excellent floor for a hitter. With workable bat to ball skills, there is a strong offensive profile.

Jackson crushes all pitch types with a 1.344 OPS against fastballs, 1.137 OPS against breaking balls, and a 1.423 OPS against offspeed pitches. It’s the total package for a high octane middle of the lineup hitter.

On the bases, Jackson has some wheels, it’s not just basestealing instincts. Out of the righty batter’s box, Jackson gets up the line around 4.25-4.30 which equates to average pure speed, a box you don’t expect to check with a plus power hitting catcher.

Behind the dish, Jackson is a quality receiver who fishes pitches below the zone into strikes far more often than most backstops. Jackson’s blocking leaves some to be desired, he can be reluctant to use his body. As a thrower, Jackson’s arm is strong and accurate but his exchanges are not overly fast. The defensive upside with Jackson is real; he’s a plus athlete by catcher standards but polish is absolutely necessary.

If Jackson takes a small step defensively, he’ll profile as a primary catcher but his bat has the tools to warrant a spot in the lineup either way.

My Scouting Grades:

–	Hit	Power	Run	Field	Arm
Present	50	60	50	45	55
Future	50/55	60/70	50/45	50/55	55

Round 2, Pick #38 – Logan Reddemann, RHP, UCLA

2026 Stats: 10 GS, 59.2 IP, 2.87 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 11 BB/84 K

Reddemann objectively would have been a first round pick had his season not been dampened by arm fatigue. The California native started his career at San Diego before playing his draft eligible year at UCLA where his stuff ticked up without sacrificing his patented command. With the Rockies in need of pitching at all levels, Reddemann is a welcome sight as Paul DePodesta tries to turn the pitching ship around.

Reddemann walked just 11 hitters in 59.2 innings this year, showing just how quality his command and control are. Reddemann’s 67.2 strike percentage is well above average and checks an important box for Coors Field.

Reddemann’s fastball is by far his best offering, sitting 94-97, capable of hitting 99 with quality life. Reddemann pounds the top of the zone with it and can hit the edges early in counts to control at bats. The heater had just a .505 OPS against it and missed bats at a quality 26.2% rate. A changeup represents Reddemann’s second pitch. It’s an 83-86 mph offspeed that tunnels hard with his fastball but with a ~9 mph drop and 12 extra inches of drop. The changeup missed bats at a 42.3% clip, a well above average mark for an offspeed pitch.

Reddemann also throws a curveball and slider, though neither has been fully established in his arsenal; the slider has only been moderately effective though with upper-80s velocity it has potential and the curveball has big drop.

The pitchability here is uncommon especially to be paired with two above average pitches and easy mid-90s velocity. One of the few concerns here is durability as Reddemann has barely eclipsed 100 innings combined across the last two NCAA seasons. Health prevailing, Reddemann looks like a surefire #3 starter and immediately becomes the Rockies best pitching prospect.

My Scouting Grades:

–	Fastball	Slider	Changeup	Curveball	Command
Present	55	50	55	45	60
Future	55/60	50/55	55/55	50/55	60

Round 3, Pick #76 – Jack Natili, C, Cincinnati

2026 Stats: .339/.424/.674 (1.098 OPS), 19 HR, 29 BB/56 K

The Rockies second catcher on day 1, Natili’s selection will certainly warrant speculation around the Rockies plans at catcher but neither Jackson nor Natili will be major leaguers until late 2027, at the absolute earliest, and more likely mid-to-late 2028. Realistically, Paul DePodesta and crew looked internally at the future catching options and felt a lack of confidence on either side of the ball; it was a position infrequently drafted by Bill Schmidt and not successfully drafted by Bill Schmidt in recent years.

Natili brings a powerful skillset that can impact the game offensively and defensively. The former Bearcat’s 108.7 90th percentile exit velocity was one of the better marks in this draft and indicates there is easy plus power in Natili’s bat. Wildly, 67% of Natili’s batted balls were hit 95 mph or harder, basically 30% better than the collegiate average of 37.2%. Masher.

Not only is Natili is a masher, he was one of just eight power conference players this year to record the following:

• 90th percentile EV over 108 mph
• Contact percentage over 75%
• Chase percentage under 25%

The other seven include the 1st overall pick Roch Cholowsky, the 8th overall pick Drew Burress, the 15th overall pick Ryder Helfrick, and next year’s number one overall pick favorite Brendan Lawson, not to mention two other Day 1 draft picks. It’s an elite group to be apart of.

As was the case with Jackson, Natili shows an impressive ability to hit all pitch types with an OPS of 1.091 against fastballs, 1.048 against breaking balls, and 1.268 against offspeed and very impressive miss rates against secondaries. In fact, Natili’s 78.4% contact rate against fastballs is somewhat higher than average and an area for improvement in the pros, although issues hitting secondaries is an issue that stalls out many careers.

Defensively, Natili’s framing grades out around average as he’s good at stealing pitches across his body. Natili is adequately flexible and quick behind the plate for someone with his larger frame. The arm here is easily above average and Natili’s a quick thrower too, exchanging the ball very fluidly. There is a chance for a plus catch-and-throw option behind the plate.

As a runner, Natili stays a bit upright which limits his ability to fully hit his stride. The Pennsylvania kid gets up the line around 4.40, grading in the range of 40 speed, a bit more typical of a catcher versus what Daniel Jackson can produce.

Overall, Natili has a strong offensive profile with huge raw power and a quality feel and approach for hitting. Defensively, polish is necessary but there’s a quality prototypical foundation to be at least an MLB-caliber defender behind the plate.

My Scouting Grades:

–	Hit	Power	Run	Field	Arm
Present	50	60	40	45	55
Future	50/55	60/70	40	50/55	55/60

Round 4, Pick #104 – Ben Davis, RHP, Mississippi State

2026 Stats: 26 G, 47.0 IP, 3.64 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 14 BB/57 K

The Rockies capped Day 1 with their second pitcher. However, unlike Reddemann, Davis might profile in the bullpen long term and that’s the role he filled at Mississippi State this year to strong results. Notably, as a senior sign reliever, Davis projects to be a considerable underslot selection for the Rockies that may afford them flexibility elsewhere in the draft.

However, anytime you do go underslot early like this, you need a high floor and likely impact. That’s exactly what Davis provides.

The 6-foot-3 righty throws a 2-seam fastball and a cutter/slider that he can manipulate a bit, though it primarily looks more cutterish. Davis’s fastball sits 94-96, up to 99 with bowling ball shape. Davis attacks downhill and the -6.27 degree VAA on his heater is steep, especially coming from a more standard three-quarters slot versus a higher arm slot. The NCAA average for VAA on a 2-seam fastball s -5.84, making Davis’s fastball nearly 10% steeper than average.

It’s not an overly dominant pitch, however, with a .793 OPS against it and lower 18.2 whiff%. However, 2-seam fastballs are generally geared towards weak contact and Davis’s 62.5 groundball rate on the 2-seamer stands out.

The Mississippi native’s calling card is the cutters/slider, however. Averaging 90.3 mph and touching 94 with legit cut and drop, this is a weapon of a pitch. Hitters managed just a .539 OPS against it and missed on 39.4% of their swings.

If Davis can find a way to mix in a more true slider occasionally — say an 86-88 mph pitch with a little extra drop — there could be a serviceable arsenal to start in the lower minors. Davis did throw a handful of curveballs this year that sat 82-85 with solid drop and that pitch could also be the answer.

However, the likely plan is for Davis to be a fast-trackable reliever with a chance to impact the club within a year, given his sharp command of a steady two-pitch arsenal.

My Scouting Grades:

–	Fastball	Slider/Cutter	Curveball	Command
Present	50	55	45	50
Future	50/55	55/60	50	50/55

Day 2

Round 5, Pick #136 – Tyler Putnam, RHP, Battle HS (MO)

Now Paul DePodesta and crew are really breaking the mold. The Rockies effectively played scared with the high school demographic outside of the first round for years. It’s a riskier player type with far more development necessary, but the last notable Rockies prep player drafted outside the first round was Jackson Cox in 2022, who looks like one of the organization’s best pitching prospects right now.

Putnam hails from Missouri and will have to forego a commitment to the Tennessee Volunteers in order to join the Rockies but that’s all but expected if the Rockies are taking a swing in the 5th round. Putnam just turned 18 weeks ago and is one of the youngest players in the class.

Yet, Putnam already sits mid-90s and is up to 98 with a whippy arm and projectable frame. Plainly, this is one of the highest pure talent arms in the class with easy upside to sit 98-100 in game. Putnam gets around the ball from a three-quarters slot and gets lively run on it.

Putnam will work to develop his slider and changeup. In high school games, Putnam didn’t throw nearly as hard, sitting low-80s with both secondaries, however, at the combine, Putnam flashed mid-80s velocity with his slider and upper-80s with his changeup, showing enough consistency locating them with the extra throwing effort.

The vision here is a steady mid-90s arm with two above average secondaries. The athleticism and efficient delivery Putnam showcases should help him stay in and around the zone enough to develop on a linear track. Putnam has a curveball in his bag, too, but that was not on display always this summer.

This is a big swing for the Rockies but a higher risk tolerance later in the draft is a new approach for the club as they try and revamp the talent in-house.

My Scouting Grades:

–	Fastball	Slider	Changeup	Command
Present	55	50	45	40
Future	60/70	55/60	50/55	45/50

Round 6, Pick #165 – Garrett Lambert, RHP, Mercer

2026 Stats: 15 GS, 71.0 IP, 4.31 ERRA, 1.22 WHIP, 29 BB/90 K

Lambert has an Alabama transfer commitment he’ll need to forego, but that’s a near certainty given Lambert turns 22 in a couple of months. As a smaller mid-major and given Lambert only pitches 89.2 NCAA innings due to injury, getting pro development resources could be huge for his next steps.

Lambert has good arm speed but could engage his lower half more and there’s some effort in his finish that needs to be ironed out. As he stands, Lambert throws a lively low-90s fastball — up to 95 — with a well above average 19.4 IVB (inches of induced vertical break). Lambert’s command can be inconsistent because of the effort in his delivery but the heater was highly effective in the Southern Conference, allowing just a .661 OPS against with a solid 27.5 whiff%.

Lambert’s primary secondary is a slider that sits 79-82 with a tighter shape that could use a tick more velocity or stuff to profile as average. It recorded a solid 33.3 whiff% and .662 OPS against. Lambert has also flashed a changeup and curveball which were both highly effective in 2026, albeit with usage under 5%.

Against Southern Conference competition, Lambert’s fastball was good enough to navigate him through lineups with heavy usage but the development of his secondaries appear to be low hanging fruit and will dictate if the greater-Atlanta area native can make a push through the minors as a starter.

My Scouting Grades:

–	Fastball	Slider	Changeup	Curveball	Command
Present	50	45	40	40	40
Future	50/55	50/55	45/50	45/50	45/50

Round 7, Pick #194 – Jack Scott, RHP, Central Missouri (D2)

2026 Stats: 3 GS, 7.1 IP, 3.68 ERA, 1.77 WHIP, 7 BB/11 K

There is very limited deep intel on Scott given his D2 status and the fact that Scott missed almost all of 2026 with what sounds like elbow surgery. Scott was a lesser known Kansas prep prospect from the 2023 class but didn’t get D1 interest until recently with some serious late blooming.

Now 6-foot-4 and closer to 200 pounds, Scott has a prototypical pitching frame with a high-waist and still some projection remaining. It’s a fluid and fast arm action and Scott repeats well, though he is still learning to use newfound pitching power.

In limited action this year, Scott sat 94-97 and touched 98 with carry and strong spin characteristics. Coming from Scott’s higher arm slot, he gets strong true vertical break on the heater and it has plus traits, though it’ll need to be seen more in pro games.

Scott also throws a low-80s slider with some tight sweeping shape, up to 85 and has mixed in a cutter, changeup, and curveball, though how he’ll deploy his full arsenal is less clear beyond the fastball and slider. Scott is an extreme high risk pick with a likely elbow surgery in his recent rearview mirror and no D1 experience but there is mid rotation upside here which you don’t often find in the 7th round.

My Scouting Grades:

–	Fastball	Slider	Cutter	Curveball	Changeup	Command
Present	50	50	45	40	40	30
Future	55/60	55	55	45/50	45/50	40/45

Round 8, Pick #224 – Hudson Barrett, LHP, Oklahoma State

2026 Stats: 13 G/9 GS, 45.1 IP, 2.58 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 15 BB/64 K

If Barrett was a few months younger and still a junior, he may have been gone 2-3 rounds sooner. Standing 6-foot-5 with a stronger mature build, Barrett comes into the pros with experience, polish, and a lot of boxes checked. While it’s not a fast arm or high octane pitcher, he has more than enough stuff-wise to be an MLB pitcher.

After three years at UC Santa Barbara, including completely lost 2024 and 2025 seasons, Barrett made the most of his one year in Stillwater, OK.

Healthy but still building strength and stamina back up, Barrett was dominant in the Big 12, logging 64 Ks in 45.1 innings, flashing the crafty bat-missing stuff he possesses. Barrett throws a heavy diet of fastballs. It’s a low-90s 4-seamer with 6.85 feet of extension, allowing it to play at least a tick higher than it shows on the radar gun.

Barrett has touched 96 but he’s likely to sit 90-93 as a starter with more average movement characteristics, although the extension makes it an above average heater at best. It forced a 30.4 whiff% and only allowed a .631 OPS.

Barrett also mixes in a slider, curveball, and changeup. The changeup stands out most as at least an average offering and most likely an above average one, sitting 82-85 with big drop, almost giving it inverse-breaking ball shape. It missed bats at a stellar 52% rate and hitters managed just a .600 OPS against it.

Barrett’s breaking balls are underdeveloped but the pure shapes are there and the curveball gives him a true 3rd speed to work with as it sits 73-77 versus the low-to-mid-80s speeds on his other secondaries. Combined, Barrett’s breaking balls allowed just a .521 OPS with a 34.4 whiff%.

To sweep back through all the pluses here, it’s not often you find a lefty who can consistently grab 93-94 with high-end extension, a quality changeup, and pitchability. The hit rate for pitchers in that demographic tends to be good. If Barrett’s breaking stuff can take a step forward, the Gaucho/Cowboys product could be a #5 starter, although there’s a likely lefty reliever here, if nothing else.

My Scouting Grades:

–	Fastball	Changeup	Curveball	Slider	Command
Present	50	50	45	40	50
Future	55	55/60	45/50	45/50	50/55

Round 9, Pick #254 – Tanner Sagouspe, RHP, TCU

2026 Stats: 20 G, 33.1 IP, 2.43 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 14 BB/43 K

Sagouspe is a 5th year player, having spent 4 years at Cal Poly before transferring to TCU as a redshirt-senior. As a result, this is another underslot pick opportunity to afford more spending with other picks.

While Sagouspe was good in 2024-25 with Cal Poly, he took the next step under development at TCU. Sagouspe is primarily a fastball-slider guy, although there’s a quality curveball in his bag too and an infrequently used changeup.

Sagouspe’s fastball isn’t high-powered, sitting 92-94, but it’s hidden well by the Fresno-native’s high arm slot and gets above average carry. Sagouspe’s feel is solid and that helped him limit hitters to just a .520 OPS against the fastball. The selling point with Sagouspe, however, is feel for spinning the baseball.

Sagouspe’s slider sits 84-87, touching 89 with tighter shape that tunnels with his fastball. Sagouspe’s curveball is also nasty with big drop and steepness from his high arm slot. It can touch 84 and missed bats. Combined, Sagouspe’s breaking balls limited hitters to a .475 OPS and missed bats at a 48% clip.

The changeup is low spin and gets healthy armside run but will need work to be a pro-ready pitch. Expect Sagouspe to remain a reliever long term but he provides a high floor arm with a chance to become a finesse reinforcement at the big league level.

My Scouting Grades:

–	Fastball	Slider	Curveball	Changeup	Command
Present	45	50	50	40	45
Future	45/50	50/55	50/55	40/45	45/50

Round 10, Pick #284 – Mikiah Negrete, LHP, Cal State Fullerton

2026 Stats: 15 GS, 100.0 IP, 2.70 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 17 BB/94 K

Negrete spent the last three seasons as Cal State Fullerton where he made an even 15 starts each season. This past year, things clicked for Negrete as he posted a 2.70 ERA with just 17 walks in 100 innings. Negrete, like Sagouspe is an underslot choice for the Rockies to potentially afford another high school overslot pick, while simultaneously getting a pro-ready pitcher.

Negrete sits just 88-91 with his fastball but he hides the ball well and has become a command specialist. Negrete will get hit hard when he sticks in zone too much but you can never rule out a pitcher when their command is as good as Negrete’s. Negrete throws 79-82 mph slider that is a weak contact machine with big depth that will keep hitters off the fastball.

Negrete will likely start throwing his low-80s changeup more in the pros, especially if he is picking up starts in the minors. The changeup has delivered results in a small sample but the verdict is still out. Negrete fits in with a lot of arms taken by the Rockies so far with command being one of the stronger traits.

Negrete has the makings of a minor league starter who could get a chance to throw in relief and challenge his ceiling.

My Scouting Grades:

–	Fastball	Slider	Changeup	Command
Present	40	45	40	55
Future	40/45	45/50	40/45	55/60

Round 11, Pick #314 – Gavin Swartz, RHP, Normal Community HS (IL)

That makes two prep pitchers selected in this draft from the contiguous US, more than the Rockies have selected combined since their selection of Riley Pint in 2016. That is ten whole years.

Round 11 is a popular time for teams to take HS players because following Round 10, picks do not have slot values anymore with every remaining pick allotted up to 150K without counting against teams’ bonus pools and the Rockies, true to how teams should be drafting, dipped into whatever slot savings they had from the early rounds to take Swartz, an Illinois prep arm.

Swartz isn’t as high profile of a prep player as were left on the board, only ranked by Baseball America at #475, but when a team believes in the talent of a pitcher, it’s wise to keep them away from college where they might be able to flourish into a high round pick in 2-3 years.

In the case of Swartz, he’s a lanky 6-foot-3 pitcher who will likely grow another inch or two, considering he just turned 18 weeks ago. Swartz has already hit 96 and sits 89-92 in game. Presumably Swartz has 15-20 pounds of clean mass he can add and with it, he should eventually sit mid-90s with promising shape on a breaking ball and a power changeup.

The upside of an arm like Swartz bests that of a late round college player by leaps and bounds, though it’s hard to project Swartz from here as a lesser known prep arm. However, the physicality, projection, and raw talent level can’t be overlooked. With a pick like this, the Rockies at least give themselves a chance to have another talented arm in the mix for relief appearances, though Swartz will be afforded every opportunity to emerge as a starter.

My Scouting Grades:

–	Fastball	Slider	Changeup	Command
Present	45	40	40	40
Future	55/60	45/50	40/45	45/50

Round 12, Pick #344 – Garrett Brewer, LHP, Auburn

2026 Stats: 17 G, 18.1 IP, 5.40 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, 9 BB/26 K

Brewer is a peculiar college prospect given he’s only thrown 63.1 innings between two seasons at Michigan State and a third season at Auburn. Brewer has always been a bit of a work in progress, although has found the zone more the last couple of years and carries quality lefty bullpen upside.

Brewer’s fastball and changeup are pro quality offerings already. His fastball sits 91-93, peaking at 96 with above average extension and a lower three-quarters release point. It missed bats on 27.4% of swings, an above average rate for a fastball. Brewer’s changeup sits 81-83 with heavy late drop that helps it miss bats and generate weak contact, allowing just a .713 OPS against.

Brewer has flashed a slider with depth but it has not been thrown much. There is fluidity in his delivery and the possibility for three pitches which could get him some pro starts but most likely Brewer will be brought up in the bullpen where his arm slot could make life on lefties difficult.

My Scouting Grades:

–	Fastball	Slider	Changeup	Command
Present	45	40	45	30
Future	50/55	45/50	50/55	40/45

Round 13, Pick #374 – Juriel Collazo, OF, Christian Military Academy (PR)

One of the most intriguing picks for the Rockies so far, Collazo has premium tools and youth on his side. Committed to Western Kentucky, Collazo put on a show at the combine, setting him up to be drafted here.

Collazo flashed elite speed and arm strength at the combine, giving him a claim to be the best pure athlete in the high school class. Some of the exit velocities he posted at the combine were well above average as well and his swing is connected for his age, though geared more towards line drives for now.

If Collazo can hit even close to average, there’s a chance to uncover a gem here, given how undeniable the tools are. Collazo will be brought along slowly and might even start 2027 in the Arizona Complex League as he’s somewhere between an international signing and a traditional high school draft pick.

Creativity and outside the box thinking continues to drive this Rockies draft class.

My Scouting Grades*:

–	Hit	Power	Run	Field	Arm
Present	40	45	70	50	60
Future	45/50	55/60	70	55/60	60/70

Round 14, Pick #404 – Lorenzo Carrier, OF, Pittsburgh

2026 Stats: .387/.534/.784 (1.318 OPS), 20 HR, 57 BB/62 K

The nickname here is as easy as they come. The Rockies just drafted the Aircraft Carrier. However, instead of transporting planes, Lorenzo Carrier transports baseballs into the stratosphere.

A 5-year NCAA player, Carrier didn’t quite establish himself until transferring to Pittsburgh for the 2025 season. As a 5th year senior, with a huge advantage given his experience extra time to develop, Carrier recorded gaudy numbers and had the literal highest 90th percentile exit velocity in all of college baseball: an unbelievable 112.9 mph.

Carrier has some swing and miss to his game but a 70.9% contact rate and 20.1 chase% illustrate absolutely functional hitting ability and actually decent swing decisions. Additionally, Carrier has shown real hitting aptitude and the ability to handle different speeds and shapes. Paired with 70 grade raw power, Carrier has a chance to become a legit prospect despite being a 5th year college player.

Carrier is a bit slower — like his nautical counterparts — but can get up the line in about 4.5 seconds which is roughly 40 grade speed. Carrier is experienced enough in the outfield to hold his own and should be a fringy defender out on the grass and has an easy above average arm to affirm that status.

Chances are the hit tool and lack of expected future development hold Carrier back from lighting up the pros like he did the ACC last year but this is a worthy dart throw late in the draft.

A fun one for Colorado.

My Scouting Grades:

–	Hit	Power	Run	Field	Arm
Present	40	70	40	45	55
Future	40/45	70	40/35	45	55/60

Round 15, Pick #434 – Ryan Niedzwiedz, 1B, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

2026 Stats: .351/.427/.768 (1.195 OPS), 27 HR, 31 BB/35 K

Niedzwiedz is another bat worthy of a late round flyer with huge collegiate production, albeit in a lower competition Ohio Valley Conference. Still, the 6-foot-2 lefty bat had undeniable production with 27 homers and nearly even walk and strikeout rates.

A statistical standout in Niedzwiedz’s profile is a balanced feel for the strike zone, he contacts every part of the zone and can do damage. Further, Niedzwiedz did damage against all pitch types and really showed so singular pitch-type weakness, although he’ll need to be tested more against higher end stuff.

The overall contact rate here of 79.3% is quality for a player with a prime-to-loft swing. Putting the ball in play on that rate of swings and getting it off the ground over 70% of the time is a recipe for extra base hit production.

Niedzwiedz’s swing decisions don’t stand out with a 23.1 chase% but that’s an average rate and certainly not a detractor on the profile. In terms of raw juice, it’s just a 103.5 mph 90th percentile EV which correlates more with 45 grade power, although the lofty swing that has consistently yielded home run pop indicates it can and should play above that in game.

As a lesser athlete, expect the Illinois native to stick at first, though there is some arm strength here.

My Scouting Grades:

–	Hit	Power	Run	Field	Arm
Present	45	45	40	45	50
Future	50	50	40/35	45	50

Round 16, Pick #464 – Sam Larson, RHP, Tulane

2026 Stats: 28 G, 41.0 IP, 3.95 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 23 BB/54 K

Larson is a higher floor arm thrown into the mix late with a super jumpy fastball that get’s 21.3 IVB from a higher arm slot and above average extension. It only sits 90-93 presently but the Rockies made clear that they were targeting good movers on the hill that could eventually gas it up. If Larson can sit 92-95 with that much life on his fastball, you could be looking at a comfortably average MLB fastball.

In terms of results, Larson’s 27.5 whiff% on the fastball hints at that average upside, though some inconsistent command led to a good-not-great .751 OPS against it.

Larson primarily throws a curveball as his second offering with big drop that can play lethally from his high arm slot. The -9.82 degree VAA is one of the steepest pitches added by the Rockies this year and could be a weak contact and ground ball machine. Hitters managed just a .424 OPS against it and whiffed on 47.1% of swings. It sits 79-81 and can get up to 83. This is a pretty easy pitch to grade out as average.

Larson lands his fastball for strikes often, though without a second pitch to land in the zone — his curveball is more exclusively a putaway offering — walks have crept up at times. Adding a cutter or slider could help Larson become a notable relief prospect and help him more against right-handed bats.

My Scouting Grades:

–	Fastball	Curveball	Command
Present	45	50	35
Future	50/55	50/55	40/45

Round 17, Pick #494 – Josh Swink, LHP, Liberty

2026 Stats: 21 G/5 GS, 56.1 IP, 4.15 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 24 BB/60 K

The Rockies added a final southpaw to their draft class with the 6-foot-2 Swink. The Liberty product is loose on the hill and could explode in a relief-oriented role. Swink made a handful of starts for Liberty but almost always was counted on for bulk pitching, coming in fourth among Flames pitchers.

Swink throws five pitches, a 4-seam fastball, 2-seam fastball, cutter, slider, and changeup. The 4-seamer was his primary offering with some run and deception out of a lower slot. It’s underpowered at 89-91, though Swink did touch 94 this year and that’s the velo band that could turn him into an MLB prospect.

Swink’s slider was his main secondary and saw quality results as hitters managed just a .509 OPS against it and 39.5 whiff%. Swink gets around the baseball well, thanks to his lower slot and he can frisbee the slider in for strikes to both sides of the plate. The 2-seam and cutter did not perform well with a 1.038 OPS against the pitches combined and Swink will be best off leaning on his wide-low slot and slider.

Getting some extra power on his stuff will be key to progressing through the system but Swink clearly can manipulate the baseball in all directions which give him further opportunity to develop into a notable relief prospect.

My Scouting Grades:

–	4S-Fastball	2S-Fastball	Cutter	Slider	Changeup	Command
Present	45	40	40	45	45	40
Future	50	40/45	40/45	50	45/50	40/45

Round 18, Pick #524 – Blake Bowen, OF, JSerra Catholic HS (CA)

My analysis of Bowen will be short, given that he was effectively a backup pick for the Rockies in the event they miss out on some of their other prep signings, as teams frequently do when they take high school players in the draft.

Bowen was ranked somewhere between 25-75 in this class by most scouting outlets and was likely pushing for 2nd round money ($2M+) to forego his Oregon State commitment. It’s highly unlikely the Rockies could come up with that money, even if their picks of Tyler Putnam AND Gavin Swartz go south.

It would be one of the strongest developments of the Paul DePodesta era if the Rockies somehow wrangled enough money to lure Bowen from Oregon State but the club isn’t counting on it.

Round 19, Pick #554 – Cort MacDonald, OF, Stanford

2026 Stats: .340/.414/.496 (.910 OPS), 3 HR, 16 BB/25 K

MacDonald is a prototypical priority undrafted guy that the Rockies wanted to make sure they got on board. The 22-year-old spent four years at Stanford hut only amassed 131 games.

The slightly built outfielder doesn’t bring much from a power perspective (100.2 90th EV) and is very swing happy (33.8 chase%), though he does make a fair amount of contact (79.5 contact%) and has easy average speed. MacDonald profiles best in LF, though he’s a player you can count on in center as well, likely a big reason for the pick.

My Scouting Grades:

–	Hit	Power	Run	Field	Arm
Present	40	30	50	50	45
Future	40/45	30/35	50	50	45

Round 20, Pick #584 – Dimitri Williams, Jr., OF, Bishop O’Dowd HS (CA)

The Rockies selected maybe one prep player every other year in their drafts under Bill Schmidt so of course Paul DePodesta had to cap his first draft with his fifth prep player (although only a max of 4 will likely sign). Unlike Bowen, Williams was a bit less sought after and is reasonably likely to sign. The Oakland product ranked as one of the top ~100 players in California and would be foregoing a BYU commitment if he signs.

Williams has flashed plus speed and has a very short hitting stroke that could eventually lead to a quality speed-slasher hitter, though he has flashed quality gap-to-gap power. Williams has been scouted as a left-handed pitcher, too, and should have average or better arm strength as he continues to grow.

Williams will be an interesting storyline to follow as signings start coming in for Colorado. A lower-ranked prep prospect like himself likely can’t command much more than the $150K that is allocated to all picks past Round 10 so it will truly come down to whether he’s set on going pro or wants to develop in the Big 12 at BYU.

My Scouting Grades:

–	Hit	Power	Run	Field	Arm
Present	45	30	60	50	50
Future	50/55	35/40	60	55/60	50/55

That’s a wrap on another draft. I’ll keep the recap short and big picture.

Themes:

• Balancing the class + targeting upside
  • Unlike in prior years, the Rockies tried to touch across the board. They selected five prep players, one from the D2 ranks, and 15 D1 players. Of those likely to sign, they drafted eight position players and 12 pitchers.
  • This presents the new front office with a chance to evaluate themselves across all different types of player demographics and to shape their philosophy more going forward.
  • The selections of Tyler Putnam, Jack Scott, and Gavin Swartz especially stand out on the pitching side. All three have impact MLB upside and given the hit rate of high-risk pitchers, you hope you end up with at least one impact arm out of draft picks that infrequently yield good big league talent.
• Swing decisions
  • With Tyler Bell, it’s clear the front office wanted the best swing decisions they could get into the organization. Swing decisions lead to walks which is what sits as the Moneyball foundation. To a lesser extent, Daniel Jackson and Jack Natili both have quality swing decisions and should walk at a quality rate in the pros.