I want to see your Colorado Rockie top 5 prospects...

[soccerman034]

Just curious. Mine:

1.) Christian Friedrich: Lefty with great stuff; destroyed A/A+ (CAL) last year. Look for him to continue his tear into AA next year.

2.) Tyler Maztek: Highest ceiling in the system; good mix of pitches including at least 3 average/above-average pitches.

3.) Jhoulys Chacin: Showcased electric stuff during his time in the majors, but needs to work on his command.

4.) Eric Young Jr.: Top of the order hitting talent, could be a difference maker on the base paths.

5.) Tim Wheeler: A similar player to EY, but has shown flashes of power.

Outside looking in: Hector Gomez, Wilin Rosario


In summary: The Rockies boast 3 of the top 50 pitching prospects in baseball, which is really impressive for a team that could use some pitching. They lack a legit power hitting prospect, but Wheeler and Young both look like solid top of the order prospects.

 

[ThoseBackPages]

Welcome Back!

 

[Superfractor]

I agree with your list, for the most part. I'd - personally - swap Wilin Rosario for EY Jr, but that's more a matter of preference as I don't follow him too closely.

 

[soxrchamps07]

Mine:

1. Friedrich
2. Matztek
3. Rosario
4. Gomez
5. Young Jr.

I'm a big fan of Rosario, albeit im a little biased. I really like Gomez also, the question is though can he stay healthy. Im not a fan of Chacin though, his stuff just seems really average and the stats show it.

 

[soccerman034]

Mine:

1. Friedrich
2. Matztek
3. Rosario
4. Gomez
5. Young Jr.

I'm a big fan of Rosario, albeit im a little biased. I really like Gomez also, the question is though can he stay healthy. Im not a fan of Chacin though, his stuff just seems really average and the stats show it.

From the scouting reports that I could find:

-Fastball: 92-94 with strong sinking motion which induces a ton of GB (plus pitch when his velocity is in the mid nineties)
-Changeup: His best pitch....probably the best change up in the minors. Swing and miss pitch for major league hitters.
-Curveball: Clearly his third pitch, but it has shown flashes of being a solid pitch; throws it in the low 80's with a good slurvy motion.

Mechanics: Smooth delivery that is repeatable; no issues here.
Makeup: Hard worker by all accounts; mature for his age.
Command: Was great until this year where he had some issues in AAA and the Majors (jitters?)...Still needs some work.

My Projection: #2 starter in the bigs. He has a lower ceiling than both Friedrich and Maztek, but I also think he has a higher floor due to his strong GB tendencies.

Eric: Thanks man; back from college and figured I would check in and see how things are going.

 

[Brett Keith]

Tyler Matzek
Christian Friedrich
Jhoulys Chacin
Wilin Rosario
Hector Gomez
Tim Wheeler

 

[soccerman034]

Not a EY Jr. fan Brett?

 

[Brett Keith]

Not a EY Jr. fan Brett?

I like him, but he's just fringy enough to keep out.

 

[jbone17]

C. Fried.
Chacin
Matzek
E. Jr.
Gomez
Wheeler

 

[RandomH]

C-Fried
C-Fried
C-Fried
C-Fried
C-Fried

 

[Superfractor]

Man, Roxhead has an odd top list:


[center:2u7cixhc]"1. Jhoulys Chacin, RHP, Colorado Rockies
--Pitching for Leones del Caracas in the Caribbean League this winter.

2. Christian Friedrich, LHP, Modesto
--Moving up the ladder so fast that he may see Coors some time next year.

3. Eric Young Jr, 2B/CF, Colorado Rockies
--Has really moved foward in AAA. A serious contender for the 2B job in Denver.

4. Charlie Blackmon, OF, Modesto
--Future corner outfielder in Coors.

5. Hector Gomez, INF Modesto
--Playing for Scottsdale in the AFL this winter.

6. Samuel Deduno, RHP, Colorado Springs
--Pitching for Aguilas Cibaenas in the Caribbean League this winter.

7. Tyler Matzek, LHP, Casper
--Signed for the biggest bonus ever by a Rockies draft pick.

8. Esmil Rogers, RHP, Colorado Rockies
--Struggled in AAA, now lets see his stuff in the "Show".

9. Michael McKenry, C, Tulsa
-- Playing for Leones del Escogido in the Caribbean League this winter.

10. Wilin Rosario, C, Modesto
--Playing for Scottsdale in the AFL this winter.

11. Shane Lindsay, RHP, Tulsa
--Playing for Leones del Escogido in the Caribbean League this winter.

12. Brandon Durden, LHP, Tulsa
--Future long man in the pen from the left side.

13. Casey Weathers, RHP Injured
--Lost for the 2009 season.

14. Matt Miller, OF, Colorado Springs
--Organizational player who may get a cup of mile high coffee.

15. Tim Wheeler, LF, Tri-City
--Struggling with the rigors of Pro ball.

16. Darin Holcomb, 3B, Tulsa
--Playing for Scottsdale in the AFL this winter.

17. Keith Weiser, LHP, Tulsa
--Possibly just a bit short of major league quality.

18. Craig Baker, RHP, Modesto
--Playing for Scottsdale in the AFL this winter.

19. Chris Nelson, INF, Injured
--Injured again.

20. Chaz Roe, RHP, Tulsa
--Playing for Scottsdale in the AFL this winter.

21. Rex Brothers, LHP, Asheville
--Hard throwing lefty. Future may be a reliever instead of a starter. Should move up quickly.

22. Cole Garner, LF, Tulsa
--Hot bat.

23. Chris Balcolm-Miller, RHP, Casper
--Opening some eyes with a stand-out start.

24. Kiel Roling, C/1B, Asheville
--Converted catcher. Impressive bat.

25. Kent Matthes, OF, Tri-City
--Slowing down as the summer wears on.

26. Daniel Mayora, INF, Tulsa
--Playing for Leones del Caracas in the Caribbean League this winter.

27. Edgmer Escalona, RHP, Tulsa
--Great in Modesto. Let's see now in Tulsa.

28. Andrew Johnston, RHP, Tulsa
--Playing for Scottsdale in the AFL this winter.

29. Alving Mejias, RHP, DSL
--Blowin' batters away at age 17.

30. Matthew Reynolds, LHP, Tulsa
--Playing for Scottsdale in the AFL this winter.

-------
31. Aaron Weatherford, RHP, Tri-City
--Struggling with health and the pro game."[/center:2u7cixhc]

 

[soccerman034]

I like the aggressive rankings of Chacin and EY, but that is a puzzling list. Maztek, by virtue of his ceiling alone, is better than Young, Blackmon, Gomez, and Deduno (he shouldn't even be in the top 15 in my mind).

 

[Superfractor]

Agreed, Samuel should be far below. Is it me or is Reynolds not on that list?

 

[soccerman034]

Agreed, Samuel should be far below. Is it me or is Reynolds not on that list?

You mean the guy at #30? Never really heard of him, but he looks like a OK reliever prospect. I don't really get into the semantics of where lower end prospects should be ranked though; in my mind, prospect lists should be kept to 20 or fewer.

 

[Superfractor]

Sorry, I meant Greg Reynolds; Injured first rounder?

 

[soccerman034]

Sorry, I meant Greg Reynolds; Injured first rounder?

Ah yes, well, I probably would have him in my top 30, but somewhere near the bottom. The guy just can't stay healthy, and even when he was, he profiled to be a mid/end of the rotation kind of pitcher. He was rushed to the majors if my memory is correct, and that kind of ruined him.

 

[Superfractor]

Sorry, I meant Greg Reynolds; Injured first rounder?

Ah yes, well, I probably would have him in my top 30, but somewhere near the bottom. The guy just can't stay healthy, and even when he was, he profiled to be a mid/end of the rotation kind of pitcher. He was rushed to the majors if my memory is correct, and that kind of ruined him.

Of course...'08.

At least, I will always remember him for being the day's starting pitcher for the 18-17 Fourth Of July epic comeback.