The Colorado Rockies drafted 11 college players in their first 12 picks, and have signed them all plus the high school player drafted second. The draftees have been assigned to Rookie or Low-A ball to begin their pro careers. Here is a brief look at the Top 12 Rockies draft picks:
1.22. Ryan Rolison, LHP – Mississippi
The 22nd pick in the first round has one of the best curveballs in the draft, a low-90s fastball, upside to be a #2 starter. Has a chance to move through the system quickly. The 20-year-old was assigned to the Rookie level Grand Junction Rockies.
🚨 DRAFT ALERT 🚨 | With the 22nd pick in the first round of the 2018 #MLBDraft, the Colorado @Rockies select Ole Miss LHP Ryan Rolison!
Congrats, Rolo!#HottyToddy #RebsBSB #MLBRebs pic.twitter.com/EiVIX3zdi3
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) June 5, 2018
1.42. Grant Lavigne, 1B – Bedford High School (NH)
The 42nd pick in the draft , a Wake Forest commit, is a power hitter from the left side who fits the profile of a handful of Rockies’ first-base prospects in front of him. The 18-year-old was 4 for 11 in his first three games at Grand Junction.
Huge thanks to @RyanRolison24 and @GrantLavigne for signing today! Thanks a lot guys! Good luck this year! pic.twitter.com/C0VjgwRy78
— Joc’s LF Hecklers (@JocsLFHecklers) June 25, 2018
2.76. Mitchell Kilkenny, RHP – Texas A&M University
The 76th pick in the draft had an elite year and helped his school to the College World Series. Unfortunate news just announced that he needs TJS.
#Rockies supplemental 2nd-round pick Texas A&M RHP Mitchell Kilkenny needs Tommy John surgery, but he is signed and will rehab under the club’s watch https://t.co/V583EIoMh7
— Thomas Harding (@harding_at_mlb) June 26, 2018
3.96. Terrin Vavra, SS – University of Minnesota
The 96th pick in the draft is hitting .400 in his first week at low-A Boise. His brother Trey is in the Minnesota Twins minor league system.
Congratulations to 2017 Kettleer and first team All-American, Terrin Vavra, on being drafted 96th overall by the Colorado Rockies! They got a great one!! #KettleHo #GoRockies pic.twitter.com/1NK5Sqzmti
— Cotuit Kettleers (@CotuitKettleers) June 5, 2018
4.126. Ryan Feltner, RHP – Ohio State
6’4″ righty had 204 Ks in 221 IP in 3 years as a Buckeye. Played on the Cape with Brewster (2016) and Bourne (2017) the last two summers.
Ryan Feltner (17) was just drafted in the 4th round of the @MLBDraft
by the @Rockies Congratulations @RyanFeltner! pic.twitter.com/wWdXVVkicW— Bourne Braves (@BourneBraves) June 5, 2018
5.156. Jacob Bird, RHP – UCLA
Chosen 156th in the draft, the senior was an All-Pac-12 selection after ending the year with a 7-4 record and a league-leading 2.18 ERA.
We’ll introduce you to the 2018 GJ Rockies over the next few weeks. Here is installment number one with Wander Cabrera, Jacob Bird, Niko Decolati, Ryan Rolison, and Daniel Montaño. (Photos by Todd Bennett) #GJRox #RoxFam https://t.co/bnoOrohXtW pic.twitter.com/H67V1Hf3Ub
— GrandJunctionRockies (@GJRockies) June 25, 2018
6.186. Niko Decolati, 3B – Loyola Marymount
Hitting .282 after his first 10 games at Grand Junction (Rookie league).
Nico Decolati, Inf, Loyola Marymount University, Swing Mechanics at 200 FPS https://t.co/XoyEUxDDwp via @YouTube
— Steve Fiorindo (@SoCalSteve9) June 5, 2018
7.216. Andrew Quezada, RHP – Cal State Fullerton
Just finished CWS. Not assigned yet.
Andrew Quezada is the most underrated pitcher in this 2018 Draft Class. pic.twitter.com/aeNYhpIN6v
— Chris Dominguez (@C_t_Dominguez) June 6, 2018
8.246. Nick Bush, LHP – LSU
Just finished CWS. Headed to Boise.
A quick visit with #LSU pitcher Nick Bush, taken in the 8th round of the Major League Baseball Draft Tuesday by the @Rockies. If you go to @walk_ons you often can score great interviews. @LSUbaseball pic.twitter.com/QShgE0GRxG
— Jacques Doucet (@JacquesDoucet) June 6, 2018
9.276. Willie MacIver, C – Washington
Just finished CWS. Headed to Boise.
Willie MacIver HR! pic.twitter.com/QU9latljpc
— Craig Hyatt (@HyattCraig) June 11, 2018
10.306. Cade Harris, IF/OF – Oklahoma
Hitting .342 after 11 games in Boise with 18 total bases and 6 SBs.
As I’ve said before Cade Harris (@CadeHarris_2)from the @BoiseHawks has a great approach at the plate. Any time a guy can be near the top of the league in walks, runs AND steals; that plays. #NWL
— MiLB Top Left Corner (@MiLB_PNW) June 28, 2018
11.336. P.J. Poulin, LHP – Connecticut
Chosen with the 336th pick in the draft, he has allowed no runs in his first three relief appearances in Boise.
P.J. Poulin is headed to the Rockies!
Poulin set the #UConn single-season saves record with 16 saves in 2018! #HuskiesInthePros pic.twitter.com/u1dQlfCSPA
— UConn Baseball (@UConnBSB) June 6, 2018
Featured image of Ryan Rolison – via Ole Miss Baseball on Twitter
Michael Parnell is a retired newspaper editor who covers the Colorado Rockies for Prospects1500. He is a longtime fantasy baseball fan who now focuses on his dynasty teams in Diamond Duos and Dynasty Sports Empire leagues. He recently relocated from Fernandina Beach, Fla., to Albuquerque, N.M. Follow him on Twitter @parnellmichael.
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