2018 Colorado Rockies Top 10 Prospects Chat

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J.P. (Springfield, IL): Thanks for chatting, Tracy. How close to the top 10 was Sam Hilliard, and what were scouts saying about him during his time in the Cali League?

Tracy Ringolsby: Hillard made a marked climb in the Rockies top 30 as you will see when the Prospect Books is released. He is drawing comparisons to Larry Walker but looking for the consistency. He has potential five-tool ability.

Grant (NYC): Who gets the nod for you between Sean Bouchard and Brian Mundell? Who's better defensively?

Tracy Ringolsby: At this point the edge goes to Mundell, who has made a strong impressive at the AA level the past season. Bouchard is coming off a short-season debut in pro ball and the Rockies are obviously high on him. Mundell is a better defensive player than many expected because for some reason he primarily was a DH in college.

Frank (Indianapolis, IN): How many of these guys do you predict could make BA's top 100 prospects list?

Tracy Ringolsby: I would think the top four most likely. The Rockies, remember, did have a hand full of their top 10 from a year ago advance to the big leagues. Pint is the most interesting in that regard. He doesn’t have stats, but the Rockies are bringing him along slowly, and so there is some need to evaluate him by more than just numbers.

Harry (Denver, CO): What can you tell us about righties W. Gaddis and T. Doyle? Who are you more bullish on, and why?

Tracy Ringolsby: Gaddis has the edge. Rockies scouting director Bill Schmidt saw him dominate in the Cape the summer before his junior year at Furman, and did not back off even those his velocity was down a bit that uunior year. He has shown four plus pitches and is a strike thrower.

Jake (Colorado Springs): Who's got a brighter future behind the dish between Nunez and Murphy, in your opinion?

Tracy Ringolsby: Nunez is a defensive whiz. Murphy, however, has shown the offensive ability that will give him a better shot of being an every day catcher. The 2018 season will be a big one for Nunez to make a move with the bat.

Grant (NYC): I see you have Story over Rodgers on your lineup card. Can we therefore assume you are convinced Rodgers will have to shift to second due to necessity, or something else?

Tracy Ringolsby: I wouldn’t say any assumption would be wise. At this point Story has had two years to impress at the big league level, and he has room to get better. Rodgers is athletic enough he could move to another position but in projecting a lineup for down the road it just seems a young incumbent should get the initial benefit of the doubt.

Dan (Baltimore): Vilade really hit the ground running. Is his power projection more in the 20-25 range or the 30-35 range (Coors not withstanding)? Can he stay at third?

Tracy Ringolsby: Right now Vilade is at shortstop. So that hasn’t been ruled out. The Rockies, though, do like to create flexibility in the farm system because nobody knows where an opening could develop so they don’t want to pigeon hole anyone. given Vilade’s size there are feelings he could wind up on a corner spot. But if he were to wind up at first or third would probably be tied to where the Rockies would have a need. He has shown 30-plus power potential. His Under Armor effort at Wrigley Field was not a fluke.

Ryan (Milwaukee, WI): What can you tell us about Pearson McMahan? Will he be in your top 30? Thanks!

Tracy Ringolsby: Obviously the Rockies like him. He was a fourth-round draft. He appeared in only six games at Boise so his pro exposure was limited.

J.P. (Springfield, IL): Who would you consider the biggest sleeper position prospect in the system right now?

Tracy Ringolsby: Wes Rogers. Plus center fielder with game-changing speed potential.

Bo (Myrtle Beach): In the draft it was said Rodgers had the highest ceiling of swanson, bregman, rodgers but more risk since he was a high school kid. Bregman looks to be the bonafide star of the trio, but can Rodgers meet or surpass Bregman? Seems like he will certainly pass swanson offensively, right?

Tracy Ringolsby: Rodgers shows every sign of being an impact player. Bregman had an excellent rookie season. Let’s see what adjustments Swanson makes. Rodgers is right on schedule in the Rockies long-range plan. They have the type of infield depth they have not had to rush him and that has allowed him to adjust and be an elite player each step in his development. He still has the highest ceiling of the three, but Bregman has established a high bar for now.

Tushar (Poolesville): Long time fan of McMahon. It's good to see him getting some love with this bounce back year. Do you envision the Rockies give him the 1B job out of spring training or is he destined to start the year in AAA and need a DJ trade at 2B or 1B poor performance at the MLB level to find a way to come up?

Tracy Ringolsby: People who get caught up in numbers overreacted to McMahon’s struggles two years ago. He was the youngest American-born player in the Eastern League. He was being asked to learn first base in addition to continue to play third base. And he was on a team that did not play a single home game. Rockies development people never doubted him, and he proved them correct with the way he dominated at Double-A and Triple-A in 2017. The Rockies are not going to give him any job, but he will have the opportunity to win a job in the spring. In recent years it has been apparent the Rockies are not afraid to give their young players an opportunity. They, however, are not going to push him if he does not appear ready to make the jump.

Rocky Mountain Cold (Coors, duh): The ice caps are melting in coors because this team finally got hot in 2017. The big key, from my seat, is developing quality pitching. What are the chances we see this rotation take another step forward? Who are some arms that might add to this year's mix from the minors?

Tracy Ringolsby: With four rookies getting opportunities in the rotation last year along with it being only the second big league season for Jon Gray and Tyler Anderson there is every reason to feel the Rockies will have a solid rotation in 2018, even better than 2017. The young players were not the least big intimidated by Coors Field. In fact they seemed to welcome the challenge. As well as strong arms they have a mental toughness.

Jon (Tampa): Do you see Pint as still having #1 upside? Thank you and have a wonderful weekend.

Tracy Ringolsby: Pint is a definite #1 potential. His numbers are a bit misleading in that he is not wild, wild, but misses around the strikezone. He has been brought along slowly while adjustments are made to smooth out mechanics. This will be a big year for him to make a statement but there has been no second-guessing on the potential that led the Rockies to make him a first-round pick.

Ron (Boulder): Would it be fair to summarize Ryan Castellani's 2017 season as him showing flashes of dominance, but he simply wore down as the season ended? I feel like the potential is still there.

Tracy Ringolsby: Well, I obviously like his potential. He is ranked No. 6 in an organization that has talent. He has led his league in innings pitched the last two years, showing the durability the Rockies wanted. He is on track to get the test of altitude at Albuquerque in 2018.

Jim (Muscle Shoals, AL): Jordan Patterson led all Rockies in the minors in HR/RBI this year after he hit .444 w/ 1 K in a September MLB callup in 2016, but does not seem to be a factor on your list? Any chance the team views him as an option to replace CarGo? Thanks for the chat!

Tracy Ringolsby: Last season was a good year for him because he had to deal with adversity and answered it. He hit only .219 in the first two months at Albuquerque, and then rounded big time. He was not called up in September because the Rockies had veterans Ian Desmond and Mark Reynolds at first base. I think he is more of a first baseman now, and depending on what happens in the off-season that is a spot that could be open next spring.

Tripp (Albuquerque): There was some 95mph fast balls for Sam Howard from the left side this summer in AAA. On your radar or a guy who will go unprotected on the Rockies 40-man?

Tracy Ringolsby: He was one of four players initially added to the Rockies 40-man roster last month.

Tripp (Albuquerque): Tapia/Tauchman most likely to be the next impact OF for COL?

Tracy Ringolsby: Give the edge to Tapia. The speed element and his ability to drive the ball have been impressive.

Warren (Texas): How close was Robert Tyler from the Top 10? What does his prospect profile look like at this point? thanks for the chat!

Tracy Ringolsby: Having missed the 2017 season after just six starts when he was drafted in 2016 puts him on hold.

Matt (CO): Tracy, the Rockies have made a strong effort on the intentional front in recent years. Are there any names we should be watching as candidates for next year's list?

Tracy Ringolsby: Keep an eye on Breiling Eusebio, a right-handed pitcher, and outfielders Daniel Montano and Yonathan Daza.

Dumb Hypo Guy (MD): Where would Pedro Gonzalez have ranked on this?

Tracy Ringolsby: He would not have been in the top 10.

Don Barry (Sacramento, California): After seeing Hampson throughout his college days and his first two seasons in professional baseball. He just seems like he has "it" but it's seems like he doesn't get enough credit for his athleticism by getting labeled the "scrappy gamer who gets by on his instincts." Do you think he can be an everyday Major Leaguer?

Tracy Ringolsby: He is ranked No. 8 so I would say he gets credit. His athleticism, in fact, is why the Rockies are comfortable looking at him in center field, where his instincts are impressive.

Tim (San Dimas, CA): What do scouts say about Vilade's hit tool? Seem's like he's got an advanced approach, so with something like an average or better hit tool, combined with potential plus power, that's a pretty exciting package. Other than typical age and experience, any other risk factors we should watch for in his development?

Tracy Ringolsby: The biggest question about him is how he slipped so far. He may not be a shortstop but with his bat, arm and instincts he will play and make an impact.

Martin (ME): Rogers was listed as the 2021 2b. What are the reasons that Story was listed as the SS? Is he a better fit long term at that position defensively or is it just because he is the incumbent?

Tracy Ringolsby: He is the incumbent. That earns a benefit of the doubt. Plus Story is one of the better defensive shortstops in the big leagues.

Eric (New Jersey): How far has Tom Murphy fallen? Do the Rockies still feel he can be an everyday catcher in the future?

Tracy Ringolsby: He is still the top catching prospect in the system. The broken forearm in spring training was a major setback. He needed the playing time to get ready for a chance in the big leagues. Trying to step in in mid-season was a challenge.

Jacob (Dallas, TX): What can you tell us about Vince Fernandez? He seemed to be hot for most of the year then really cooled down the last 6 weeks of the season. Could he break into the top 10 this time next year?

Tracy Ringolsby: He is very much considered a legit prospect. He has a complete game and a feel for the game. His offensive is a key factor. Defensively he makes the basic plays.

Nate (Denver): How close was Yonathan Daza to the top 10? I've read some really good things about his progress since last season, can you expand on that? Thanks!

Tracy Ringolsby: He is making a move after winning the Cal League batting title. He has speed and can play all three outfield positions. The Rockies like him enough that he did get a spot in the Arizona Fall League.

Bobopedia (Walmart): Is there any signs of hope for the pitching prospects coming off injury ravaged years? Robert, Tyler, Ben Bowden, David Hill, or Javier Medina?

Tracy Ringolsby: None of them have suffered a set back.

Jake (From State Farm): Do you think Ryan Vilade ultimately ends up working a corner spot of the infield? If so, do you think he has the bat to profile at the position.

Tracy Ringolsby: It’s likely he winds up at a corner spot. He has the bat to profile at any position.

John Bailey (Littleton, CO): Where's Brian Mundell? Have heard nothing but good things about this guy and I haven't seen him on any recent Rockies prospects lists.

Tracy Ringolsby: He was on the Rockies list last year and will be again this year. He’s on the edge of the top 10. He has enjoyed impact efforts thelast two years not only with his playing ability, but with his makeup. He’s a take charge guy.

Jake (Springfield, MO): Do you eventually see a move to the pen for Pint and his future?

Tracy Ringolsby: I see Pint as a top of the rotation starting pitcher.

Jaden (Ukiah, CA): Even though Wes Rogers repeated A+ and he played in maybe the best league for hitting, I really like his skill set. Is he a possible 4th OF'er option for the Rockies in a year or two?

Tracy Ringolsby: This year I don’t see it. Sometime in 2019? Maybe. He has a speed factor that is hard to ignore.

Roger H. (Oklahoma City, OK): Is David Dahl a lost cause? Seems like injuries always find him one way or another. Do you think Dahl will contribute this year for the Rockies? What can we expect?

Tracy Ringolsby: Right now I wold say David Dahl is very much in the picture for the Rockies left field spot with Gerardo Parra moving to right field. The injuries have been a challenge for him, but the ability remains.

Ben (A plane): Thanks for the chat. Is Yanothan Daza the best overall bat not in the top 10?

Tracy Ringolsby: He is one of several, along with the likes of Mundell, Hilliard, Montano and Fernandez.

Connor (Boston): How close was Eusebio to making the list?

Tracy Ringolsby: He was in serious consideration.

Eager Beaver (Boise, Idaho): What are your thoughts on Hampson? Seems to me he could sneak in at 2nd or short long term for them in a couple of years.

Tracy Ringolsby: And don’t rule out center field.

Judy (Oakland): What kind of offensive player does Colton Welker project to be? Plus hit and plus power?

Tracy Ringolsby: Well, he’s ranked No. 4 in a deep farm system. He has been among the youngest players in each league he has played and it hasn’t affected him at all.

Jason (Indianapolis): Is Shael Mendoza a legit prospect? His numbers in short season were impressive

Tracy Ringolsby: At this point, sure. He showed well at Grand Junction. Has life in his bat.