I’ve been critical of the Rockies for years; some of it is justified, and others are not. However, you must credit them for developing Ezequiel Tovar and Brenton Doyle. Tovar is extremely aggressive at the plate but has evolved into a power-hitting shortstop, and Doyle went 20-20 in 2024 and cut his strikeout rate by nearly 30%. They are arguably their two best positional players.
The pitching continues to be a disaster, and ultimately, there might not be any answer. However, the next great hope is Chase Dollander. He was one of the best pitchers in the minor leagues this season and should see Colorado in 2025. I’ve seen him pitch, and it’s nasty stuff. Will he be successful in Colorado? I honestly don’t know, but I’m hopeful.
Charlie Condon had a terrific Draft year at Georgia, and when the Rockies took him with their first pick last July, I was excited. However, his professional debut was concerning, as he struck out nearly a third of the time. Yes, it was a small sample size, but still not good. I will be a little leery with him in FYPDs and would not blame fantasy managers for taking a safer pick (Bazzana or Wetherholt).
As always, the system is deep, with many opportunities for fantasy managers. I love Zac Veen, and despite his injury history, there is fantasy goodness there. Adael Amador can flat-out hit, and Cole Carrigg could be the best fantasy player on the list.
Prospect Snapshot
- Top Prospect: Charlie Condon
- Biggest Mover: Cole Carrigg
- Biggest Disappointment: Yanquiel Fernandez
- Emerging Prospect: Ashly Andujar
1. Charlie Condon (OF/3B, #3)
- Highest Level: High-A ETA: 2025-26 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 40 OF with upside
- Last Updated: 12/17/2024
- Tools Summary: Long and lean with 30+ home run pop. There are some concerns about how much contact he will make.
Charlie Condon had a standout season for the University of Georgia, slashing .433/.536/.1.009 with 37 home runs. Yes, that 1.009 for his SLG is not a misprint!
His carrying tool will be his plus power, but there will always be concerns about how much he’ll hit until there isn’t. I know that sounds silly, but it’s true.
While his time in High-A was only 25 games, he struck out nearly 31.2% of the time. To be optimistic, it was a small sample size, and Condon had already played a long college season that started in early March. I understand I’m making excuses and wish he had gone all Wyatt Langford, but he didn’t.
The ceiling is a Top 40 fantasy outfielder with 30+ home run pop who might have some pressure on his batting average.
2. Chase Dollander (RHP)
- Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2025-26 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 45 SP with upside
- Last Updated: 12/17/2024
- Tools Summary: His fastball is back up to 98 MPH, and his slider appears, once again, to be a serious weapon.
Chase Dollander is the best pitching prospect the Rockies have drafted since Jon Gray. His fastball will touch 98, and he has two 70-grade pitches: a wipeout slider and a change-up. There is some effort in his delivery, but he’s always been able to throw strikes, and I expect that to continue.
He was impressive in 2024. He posted a 2.59 ERA in 23 starts across High and Double-A, striking out 169 (12.9 K/9) while walking 47 (3.6 BB/9). He will lose his release point; when that happens, he can be hit. While he’s moving quickly, he’s not a finished product, and unfortunately, in Coors Field, the only shot you have for being successful is throwing strikes. If you put guys on base, it could get ugly in a hurry.
Dollander is a high-end pitching prospect in the Pirates’ Jared Jones mold. He has similar stuff and athleticism, but his delivery is simpler and smoother than Jones’s. The elephant in the room will also be Coors Field. Projecting success, there is always a challenge.
3. Zac Veen (OF)
- Highest Level: Triple-A ETA: 2025 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 45 OF
- Last Updated: 12/17/2024
- Tools Summary: He’s a toolsy outfielder with a feel for hitting. However, his history of injuries has become disconcerting.
It’s becoming difficult to stay bullish on Zac Veen. After a lost 2023 season, Zac Veen spent more time on the Injured list in 2024. In May, he was on the IL for hand and back injuries and again in July for a thumb injury. He played 65 games in 2024 and another 43 in 2023. That’s concerning, particularly when he turns 23 in December.
When he did play, he looked good. He slashed .258/.348/.459 with 11 home runs and 21 stolen bases. His .459 SLG significantly improved from what he did in Double-A in 2022 and 2023.
I still maintain that the upside is a 20-20 type of player with potentially even more upside in stolen bases. He’ll strike out more than you would like, but fantasy goodness lurks.
4. Adael Amador (2B)
- Highest Level: Majors ETA: 2024 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 15 2B
- Last Updated: 12/17/2024
- Tools Summary: He’s a high-floor player who makes excellent contact.
Adael Amador worked some things out as the season progressed. In the first two months of the season, he hit .178 while walking 20% of the time. Over the last three months, he hit .264 and walked 13% of the time. His approach had become too passive, and once he resolved that, he started making better contact and driving the ball better.
While he was trying to figure out his approach, the Rockies promoted him to the Major Leagues for ten games, during which time he didn’t hit. On the day they promoted him, he was hitting .194. This is why I complain so much about the Rockies. I’m sorry that didn’t make any sense.
Amador is a classic high-floor player who should have a long MLB career. He’s a hitter first with 10-15 speed and power production. He might steal a few more bases early in his career.
5. Cole Carrigg (OF)
- Highest Level: High-A ETA: 2026-27 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 50 OF with upside
- Last Updated: 12/17/2024
- Tools Summary: He had a great season, showing plus speed, great defense, and a bit more power than anticipated.
The Rockies have permanently moved Cole Carrigg from behind the plate to center field with little time at shortstop. While that might seem strange, Carrigg is plenty athletic to play center with plus speed. However, moving to right field so his big arm could play would also work.
Offensively, it’s hit over power, but he might turn into a .280 hitter with high OBP skills. I’m not sure how much power he will have in the future. There isn’t high-end exit velocity, and the swing plane is flat. However, the stat line might trick us as he’ll play in many hitter’s environments while in the minor leagues.
There’s a lot to like here. The ceiling is a top-of-the-order table setter playing outstanding defense. The floor is a fourth outfielder, but I think he’ll be more than that. Perhaps a better version of Dalton Varsho.
6. Robert Calaz (OF)
- Highest Level: Low-A ETA: 2027 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 45 OF with upside
- Last Updated: 12/17/2024
- Tools Summary: He has elite bat speed and current foot speed. If he can make enough contact, the ceiling could be substantial.
The Rockies signed Robert Calaz in 2023 for $1.7 million. He’s an above-average runner with elite bat speed already translating into game power. He led the Arizona Complex League in home runs with ten and posted a .651 SLG. He’s already a big kid, so the speed will likely decrease a grade as he fills out.
The swing can get long, so there are questions about how much contact he will make. He was fine in the ACL (22.4% strikeout rate) but struck out more once he got to Low-A (28%). It wasn’t terrible, but I worry about what happens when he faces better pitching.
He’s one of the more impressive 18-year-old players in the minor league. The power could be significant (30+ home run pop) with speed early in his career. If he can keep his strikeout rate to the mid-20s, there is considerable upside here.
7. Yanquiel Fernandez (OF)
- Highest Level: Triple-A ETA: 2025 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 60 OF with upside
- Last Updated: 12/17/2024
- Tools Summary: He has 70-grade raw power, and at least this season, he’s made impressive improvements to his strikeout rate.
I go back and forth with Yanquiel Fernandez. He hits the ball extremely hard, and it’s easy to project 30 home run power one day in Coors Field. But he greatly expands the strike zone (chase rate) and is extremely aggressive at the plate. He made better contact in 2024 due to his improved in-zone contact. That’s a good thing, and let’s hope it sticks with him as he works his way to Denver. However, the power disappeared, particularly when he got to Triple-A. In 33 games, he hit one home run and posted a .313 SLG. It was slightly better in Double-A, but he only posted a .439 SLG.
There isn’t much speed with Fernandez, so he’ll profile as a power-hitting right fielder or maybe even a first baseman as he continues to fill out. I’m not yet sold on Fernandez, and his potentially changing profile (better contact and less power) adds even more uncertainty.
8. Sterlin Thompson (OF/1B)
- Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2025 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 60 OF
- Last Updated: 12/17/2024
- Tools Summary: He’s a hit-first player searching for a defensive home. He’ll have modest speed and power.
Sterlin Thompson is a high-floor player with solid strike zone command. He did strike out more in Double-A than I would have hoped (23.6% strikeout rate). From a fantasy standpoint, he doesn’t have plus power or speed. Instead, he might be more of a 12-12 player who could post a solid OBP ratio.
He is not strong defensively. In 2024, he has primarily played left field and first base. I believe the bat would work in left field, but I’m not sure he has enough power to play first. I don’t think he’ll be an impact player from a fantasy standpoint.
9. Drew Romo (C)
- Highest Level: Majors ETA: 2024 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 20 Catcher
- Last Updated: 12/17/2024
- Tools Summary: He’s a solid defender with 15 home run pop. However, his chase rate is exceptionally high, which could mute his ceiling.
Drew Romo slashed .297/.338/.499 in Triple-A with 14 home runs and a solid 17.8% strikeout rate. He’s always been aggressive at the plate, and in 2024, he walked only 4.3% of the time. That ultimately might limit his ceiling. The Rockies did the right thing and promoted Romo to Colorado to finish the season. He hit below the Mendoza line but was strong defensively.
Romo is a borderline number-one catcher for me. His overly aggressive approach at the plate is a problem that usually does not end well for players. Catchers can sometimes sidestep the problem, given the unique defensive nature of the position. Will that be Romo? I’m not sure, but I would bet the under.
10. Dyan Jorge (SS)
- Highest Level: High-A ETA: 2026-27 Fantasy Ceiling: Middle Infielder or Top 15 if he gets stronger
- Last Updated: 12/17/2024
- Tools Summary: If you believe he’ll get stronger, he’s a potential 30-stolen-base shortstop. If you don’t, he’s a utility player.
Dyan Jorge was the Rockies’ significant international acquisition in 2020, spending $2.8 million to sign him. He’s a plus defender with a feel for hitting, striking out less than league average, and walking more than league average. He’s also a plus runner, stealing 20 of 24 bases. Unfortunately, he has 20-grade power. He’s slugged .319 in High-A with two home runs.
I still believe he’ll put on weight and get stronger, but he hasn’t yet. If and when he does, he could be a doubles hitter with a handful of home runs, stealing 30+ stolen bases. If he doesn’t get stronger, he’ll likely continue to hit everything into the ground and be an easy out at the highest level.
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