Colorado Rockies 2019 MLB Draft Report Card

Best Pure Hitter: An advanced ball-striker with a middle-of-the-field approach, 3B Aaron Schunk (2) led a strong Georgia team in average (.339) and slugging percentage (.556) this spring. After being drafted, Schunk—who gets 60 grades on his hit tool—hit .306/.370/.503 in his pro debut at short-season Boise.

Best Power Hitter: The Rockies’ first-round pick, 1B Michael Toglia (1) was a close second for the previous category, but he easily takes this one with double-plus raw power. He’ll need to keep his strikeouts in check as he climbs the minor league ladder to take full advantage of that power, but if he does he has enough in the tank to hit 30 home runs a season.

Fastest Runner: 2B Isaac Collins (9) was limited a bit by a quad injury, but when he’s healthy he’s a plus runner with a tick more underway. Collins stole double-digit bases in each year during his time with Creighton.

Best Defensive Player: Schunk has 70-grade arm strength from third base, and he ran a fastball up to 95 mph when on the mound in college. He also has good athleticism and defensive actions. SS Christian Koss (12) plays a more premium position with range, sure hands, above-average arm strength and good baseball IQ.

Best Athlete: OF Brenton Doyle (4) wasn’t a multi-sport athlete later in his amateur career, but he has impressive, 60-grade speed and above-average arm strength that should help him in the outfield.

Best Fastball: A three-year reliever with Connecticut, RHP Jacob Wallace (3) has a plus fastball that’s been up to the 97-98 mph range at its best, though he doesn’t currently pitch in that range. He was more 92-96 mph this summer after throwing 42 innings during the spring, but the Rockies won’t be surprised if he comes out throwing harder next year.

Best Secondary Pitch: There are a number of pitchers with above-average secondary offerings in this class, including Wallace’s slider, RHP Gavin Hollowell’s (6) curveball and RHP Will Ethridge’s (5) changeup. But the first pitcher the Rockies selected, RHP Karl Kauffmann (3), tops all of them with a pair of secondaries that Colorado sees as plus in a changeup and a slider.

Best Pro Debut: Doyle missed a few weeks after getting hit in the eye with a foul ball while standing in the on-deck circle, but when he was on the field he was excellent. The standout Division II hitter mashed at Rookie-level Grand Junction, hitting .383/.477/.611 with eight home runs and 11 doubles. C Colin Simpson (29) was named the MVP of the Pioneer League after hitting .309/.383/.667 with 18 home runs and 12 doubles. 

Most Intriguing Background: The Rockies drafted OF Yorvis Torrealba (20), the son of 13-year major leaguer Yorvit Torrealba, for $200,000 on Day 3 of the draft. What’s crazier than Yorvis’ major league bloodlines is the fact that he was kidnapped in Venezuela when he was just 11 years old for a $500,000 ransom.

Closest To The Majors: Schunk and Toglia could both move quickly as fairly advanced college hitters in a system that has done well developing position players, while Wallace could move quickly as a late-inning reliever with power stuff and a closer’s mentality.

Best Late Round Pick: Colorado was thrilled to get Koss in the 12th round. He’s already played shortstop, second and third base in his pro debut in the Pioneer League, while hitting .332/.447/.605 with 11 home runs. Koss could wind up being a productive utility infielder with high baseball IQ and makeup with the athleticism and arm strength to capably handle each position.

The One Who Got Away: The Rockies did an excellent job inking all of their top selections to deals. All of the players selected in the first 30 rounds signed. 3B Michael Curialle (31) is a toolsy infielder with a strong all-around skillset who could rapidly improve his draft stock if he hits at UCLA, while RHP Tyler Nesbitt (32) has shown flashes of impressive stuff, but will head to Florida.