If the Rockies' system appears like there¡¯s a big up arrow next to it, you aren¡¯t wrong.
For a long time, Colorado has relied heavily on homegrown talent, even if the pipeline to the big leagues had been a bit slow over the last few years. That looks like it¡¯s about to change, starting with the new No. 1 prospect in the organization.
Not only has Ezequiel Tovar gone from not being a Top 100 prospect at the start of the 2022 season to No. 25 overall, he¡¯s ready to take over at shortstop in the big leagues and should be on most National League Rookie of the Year candidate lists.
Tovar ascending to the top spot in the system is more about the step he took forward than anything negative Zac Veen did. Veen is still very highly regarded and while he scuffled in Double-A, his Arizona Fall League performance could be a springboard for a huge season from the former first-round pick.
The four Top 100 players the Rockies have represent the most the system has had on the list since there were five back in 2017. But it goes beyond the top-level talent. This system is deeper than it¡¯s been in quite some time, strengthened by a very good 2022 Draft class, with six from the class landing on this year¡¯s Top 30.
Here's a look at the Rockies' top prospects:
1. Ezequiel Tovar, SS (MLB No. 25)
2. Zac Veen, OF (MLB No. 27)
3. Adael Amador, SS (MLB No. 68)
4. Drew Romo, C (MLB No. 84)
5. Benny Montgomery, OF
Complete Top 30 list ?
Biggest jump/fall
Here are the players whose ranks changed the most from the 2022 preseason list to the 2023 preseason list:
Jump: Jordy Vargas, RHP (2022: 30 | 2023: 13)
Vargas landed on last season¡¯s preseason list because of a solid pro debut in the Dominican Summer League, impressive given how hitter-friendly the DSL tends to be. He makes a large leap up the Top 30 after pitching well in the Arizona Complex League and earning a bump up to full-season ball during his United States debut at age 18.
Fall: Ryan Rolison, LHP (2022: 5 | 2022: 28)
The Rockies¡¯ first-rounder in 2018 had a solid enough first full season, mostly in High-A ball, but he¡¯s had trouble staying on the mound since the pandemic. He missed a lot of time in 2021 with appendicitis and a broken hand, but more concerning was him missing all of 2022 with a shoulder injury.
Best tools
Players are graded on a 20-80 scouting scale for future tools -- 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average and 70-80 is well above average. Players in parentheses have the same grade.
Hit: 60 -- Adael Amador (Zac Veen)
Power: 60 -- Michael Toglia
Run: 70 -- Benny Montgomery
Arm: 60 -- Drew Romo (Ezequiel Tovar, Zac Veen, Benny Montgomery, Brenton Doyle, Nolan Jones, Julio Carreras)
Defense: 70 -- Ezequiel Tovar
Fastball: 65 -- Jaden Hill
Curveball: 60 -- Jackson Cox
Slider: 55 -- Joe Rock (Jaden Hill, Jordy Vargas, Jeff Criswell, Carson Palmquist, Gavin Hollowell, Case Williams)
Changeup: 60 -- Jaden Hill
Control: 55 -- Chris McMahon (Ryan Rolison)
How they were built
Draft: 22 | International: 7 | Trade: 1
Breakdown by ETA
2023: 7 | 2024: 10 | 2025: 11 | 2026: 2
Breakdown by position
C: 2 | 1B: 2 | 3B: 2 | SS: 3 | OF: 8 | RHP: 10 | LHP: 3