State of the System: Colorado Rockies

Quick Look

The Rockies, almost entirely through scouting and player development, have become a formidable, entertaining team. They have made the postseason two of the past three seasons, relying on homegrown stars such as Troy Tulowitzki, Ubaldo Jimenez, and Dexter Fowler. Colorado's system is in good, but not spectacular, shape. I loved what the Rockies got in the draft this year, and their young talent positions them to be in contention in the NL West for years to come.

Top Prospects

Tyler Matzek, lhp

Age: 19 Level: none-Low A

The nation's top high school prospect was ostensibly ticketed for Oregon until the Rockies handed him $3.9 million. He immediately infuses more star power into the pipeline. Working with a smooth, easy delivery and a sturdy frame, Matzek delivers a 90-94 mph fastball and a swing-and-miss curve. His slider and changeup both possess plus potential, although he doesn't use them when he doesn't need to. Matzek is lauded for his feel for pitching, particulary setting up batters, and he has even been clocked (reportedly) at 97-98. He seems nearly perfect, but like any young pitcher he has some flaws to correct next year. He has a stiff landing and comes out some games looking like a completely different pitcher, struggling with command, feel, and motivation.

Christian Friedrich, lhp

Age: 22 Level: High A-MLB

Colorado got a bargain with the 25th overall pick last year, nabbing the former Eastern Kentucky lefthander. Perceived as a smart pitcher with an average fastball and stellar offspeed stuff, Friedrich exceeded expectations in 2009, enjoying one of the best seasons of any prospect in the minors. He toyed with mostly younger batters, posting an aggregate 2.41 ERA and a dominating strikeout rate. The 6-4 Friedrich sits at 90 mph with his fastball, touching 93-94 on occasion. His big, 12-6 curveball is his bread-and-butter pitch, and his promising slider and changeup flirt with plus. Friedrich has #2 starter potential despite uncharacteristically struggling with the strike zone this year. He could see Colorado in 2010.

Jhoulys Chacin, rhp

Age: 21 Level: MLB

Chacin at the very least has to be commended for his durability. The 6-3, 200-pounder threw 177 innings last year as a 20-year-old. This year the Venezuelan-born Chacin appeared in the Futures Game and made his big league debut. At times, Chacin has a low-90s fastball with heavy sink, a plus changeup, and a serviceable curveball. He inexplicably lost control of the strike zone this year (perhaps being timid to challenge high-level hitters), and his K rate regressed as well. His fastball was knocked for being fringy, and Chacin pitched in the bullpen for the Rockies. Chacin has areas to fix, but I think he will be able to turn it around if he regains his aggressiveness. If so, he'll be an outstanding #3 starter.

Rex Brothers, lhp

Age: 21 Level: Low A-Double-A

Brothers leapt into first-round discussion before settling as the 34th overall pick (from Lipscomb) this year. With a plus fastball that touches 97 mph and a wicked 85-87 slider, he has massive potential. He fits better in the bullpen, airing it out and not fretting over command, a changeup, or his max-effort delivery. Brothers maintains his velocity deep into starts, however, so some would like to see him kept in the rotation. The compact lefty could rise quickly.

Tim Wheeler, of

Age: 21 Level: Short-Season-High A

Wheeler is a multi-tooled outfielder who broke out in the Cape Cod League last year and followed it up with a productive spring for Sacramento State. After quickly signing for $900,000 as the last pick in the first round, Wheeler had a so-so debut in the Northwest League (.256/.332/.381). The 6-4, 205-pounder runs well for his size and could be a plus defender on a corner. He will need to hit for power to make it there, but he projects for some. He launched 18 this spring, albeit against substandard competition. Wheeler needs to adjust his approach to top-flight pitching, but he receives plaudits for his work ethic, and should be able to do so. He could explode with a hitter-friendly environment on tap for next season.

Esmil Rogers, rhp

Age: 24 Level: MLB

Rogers displays a remarkable feel for pitching and command for a player who converted from the shortstop just three years ago. Those attributes help his power stuff (92-95 mph fastball, sharp low-80s curve, nascent changeup) play up. He was torn apart this year in Triple-A and the majors, showing he still needs more experience with the subtle nuances of pitching, including maintaining composure, holding runners, and being consistent. With his smallish stature and two plus pitches, I like Rogers as a future quality reliever.

Eric Young, Jr., 2B/of

Age: 24 Level: MLB

The switch-hitter is a bundle of energy and excitement just like his father. Young had his best year as a pro in 2009, batting .299/.387/.430 with 58 stolen bases and 38 extra-base hits. He lacks eye-popping offensive tools, but Young knows his game and plays to his strengths. Young is a plus-plus runner and a terror on the basepaths. He has enough power to drive the ball every once in a while, but the 5-10, 180-pounder does not pretend to be a power threat. He draws walks and beats out infield hits to help get on base. The most pressing question in his game is on defense, as his hard hands and weak arm make him below average at the keystone sack. Young has taken the outfield for a test drive in recent years. The Chandler-Gilbert CC product will at least be a useful utility player.

Nolan Arenado, 3B

Age: 18 Level: Rookie-Low A

Arenado led a banner recruiting class for Arizona State, but he went pro after the Rockies selected him in the second round this year. The California native (6-1, 205 lbs.) played third base in his pro debut, but some scouts would like to see him try catcher. He's strong and has a plus throwing arm, but his speed and range are below average. Arenado (.300/.351/.404 in the hitter-happy Pioneer League) has excellent power potential, although many worry about his stiff actions and see his unorthodox hitting mechanics as a red flag. He has a mature approach and should be a regular in the South Atlantic League next year.

Charlie Blackmon, of

Age: 23 Level: High A-Triple-A

Blackmon is yet another Colorado prospect who doesn't neatly fit a profile. A former lefty pitcher, Blackmon flourished after being converted to the outfield midway through college. He went in the second round out of Georgia Tech and made progress in the Cal League this year. Blackmon's a free swinger, but his tools are still interesting. His loose stroke, hand-eye coordination, and feel for hitting enable him to make consistent contact, as supported by his .307 average and respectable strikeout total this year. A plus runner, Blackmon swiped 30 bases (although he was caught 13 times). He also plays good defense in center and naturally has a strong arm. Blackmon turns 24 next year and has yet to play in Double-A; he could develop into a very good major league player, but he needs to be challenged more, tone down his aggressiveness, and increase his power output.

Mike McKenry, c

Age: 24 Level: Double-A-MLB

Through sheer hard work, McKenry has crafted himself into a plus backstop. He adroitly blocks balls in the dirt and keeps basestealers at bay with a decent arm. He offers offensive value in the form of walks and a solid amount of home runs, although his pure hitting will never be extraordinary. Strong and tightly-wound, some wonder if McKenry's lack of flexibilty and athleticism will catch up to him. The former Middle Tennessee State Blue Raider is off the charts in terms of work ethic and makeup, and he could soon fashion a backup role for himself. He'll test his mettle in Triple-A in 2010.

Others: RHPs Juan Nicasio, Casey Weathers, and Chris Balcom-Miller; 1B Ben Paulsen; SS Hector Gomez; C Wilin Rosario

Impact Talent: B

Farm System Depth: C+

2010 Breakout Prospect

Aaron Weatherford, rhp

Age: 22 Level: Low A-Triple-A

Most of my picks to click are young players who have yet to reach the prospect radar. In the case of Weatherford, a relatively well-known former Mississippi State closer, injuries have stunted his progress (27 IP in 2009). If the 2008 3rd-rounder regains his health, he'll hop on the fast track to Colorado. Weatherford's repertoire is built on power: he has a lively 92-94 mph fastball, sharp curveball, and hard splitter. Weatherford has a max-effort delivery and is working on harnessing his stuff, but he has the stuff to be a set-up man or closer in the majors.

Info on Recent Callups

Here's a look at this year's most interesting September callups.

Chicago White Sox

Tyler Flowers, c

Flowers, arguably Chicago's top prospect will get his first shot in the MLB after splitting the year between Double-A and Triple-A. (He's gone .299/.426/.520.) The offensive-minded backstop will get more big league experience in 2010, and take over for A.J. Pierzynski for good in 2011.

Dan Hudson, rhp

A good sleeper pick entering the year, Hudson has been one of the top breakout stories of the minors, climbing every rung from Low A to the majors. He has put up a 2.32 ERA and 166-34 K-BB ratio in 147 IP at those stops, and is the top pitching prospect in the organization. Hudson has an excellent repertoire and could become a Gavin Floyd-esque starter for the White Sox in the near future.

Jhonny Nunez, rhp

Picked up in the Nick Swisher deal, Nunez has an electric arm. He has posted a 2.42 ERA in 42 relief appearances this year, and will be a nice solidifier in the White Sox bullpen next year.

Cleveland Indians

Carlos Carrasco, rhp

A frustrating prospect, Carrasco has #1 stuff, but struggles to get results. He'll get his initial big league test with Cleveland.

Lou Marson, c

A steady all-around player, Marson needs to show more power if he has designs on becoming a big league regular. MLB pitchers exploit .083 ISOs in their sleep. He could be an above-average backup to Carlos Santana, though!

Michael Brantley, of

Brantley is a nice prospect, combining stellar contact-hitting ability with above-average wheels. He could become a fourth outfielder or a second-division regular.

Colorado Rockies

Jhoulys Chacin, rhp

The 21-year-old's first call-up (last month) didn't go so well. He is an outstanding prospect, though, and should ease into a #2 or #3 starter role in time.

Los Angeles Angels

Brandon Wood, ss/3B

Wood has exhausted his prospect eligibility (and spent enough time in Triple-A that he could run for mayor of Salt Lake), but the Angels still refuse to give him an extended look. He's back for more this September. I adamantly maintain that, given an opportunity with another organization, he would quickly blossom into a solid left-side defender with 30+ HR power.

Milwaukee Brewers

Mat Gamel, 3B

Gamel is an outstanding hitter in need of a position change. He has already logged 113 ABs for the Brew Crew this year. Although he has a trend of tailing off in the second half, Gamel could become an above-average player at any position.

New York Mets

Josh Thole, c

Thole is an odd prospect: Although he plays catcher, he's a slap hitter with fair speed. It's doubtful that he'll become a first-division regular, but his ability to make contact is too hard to ignore. We'll see how his approach plays in the majors.

New York Yankees

Mike Dunn, lhp

The live-armed lefty is getting his first look at The Show. If he starts to hit the mitt with some more frequency (5.65 BB/9 this year), he'll play a valuable role in the Yankees' bullpen (12.15 K/9, 3.31 ERA).

Oakland A's

Clayton Mortensen, rhp

The 24-year-old Gonzaga product has had an up-and-down year, but his sinker could translate to a #3 slot in the rotation in the near future. He'll hone his command with Oakland this month with his eye on an expanded role in 2010.

San Francisco Giants

Buster Posey, c

My personal #3 prospect in the game, Posey is ridiculously talented. He'll help the Giants immediately, hold down the starting job next year, and potentially become a perennial All Star.

Madison Bumgarner, lhp

One of the most well-known prospects in the game, Bumgarner made his debut when Tim Lincecum was scratched because of back spasms. Having turned 20 last month, Bumgarner has plenty of time to improve his offspeed stuff. He has an incredible track record (1.65 ERA over 48 career starts.)

Dan Runzler, lhp

Runzler is an under-the-radar prospect. The big-bodied UC Riverside product could be an interesting piece in the San Fran bullpen, though, as he throws serious heat and has had an amazing year (0.76 ERA).

Tampa Bay Rays

Wade Davis, rhp

Davis has been one of the better righthanded pitching prospects in the game for a few years now, and the 2004 draftee is finally making his MLB debut this year. That shows you how conservative the Rays in promoting their pitchers. Once Davis refines his command and sharpens his cutter or changeup, he'll be a frontline starter.

Fernando Perez, of

Perez's 80 speed and Columbia smarts make him a good late-inning defensive replacement or pinch-runner at the very least. If he can refine his Punch-and-Judy approach, he could be a starter in the long term. (He would've spent 2009 in the MLB if not for an injury, anyway.)

Washington Nationals

Ian Desmond, ss

Desmond toiled in the minors for several years until a light finally came on for him this year. The slick-fielding 23-year-old hit .330/.401/.477 at Double-A and Triple-A. Hey, maybe the Nats actually have a starting shortstop on their hands.

Tyler Flowers

Buster Posey

Wade Davis

*Photos courtesy of www.milb.com

World Team Takes Futures Game, 7-5

Today was one of the best days of the year for any avid prospect-follower: it was the Futures Game! There was a 4+ hour rain delay in the middle of the first inning, which unfortunately cut the game down to 7 innings, but there was still some good action.

Chris Tillman, a righty on the cusp of the big leagues for the Orioles, got the start for the U.S. His command looked shaky, and he allowed a walk, 2 hits, and 2 runs. Chalk it up to nerves; it seems like every hurler that takes the mound in top of the first of the Futures Game is a bit off his game. To be fair, one of the hits was just a dribbler in front of the plate, and Tillman did flash a low-90s fastball and a 12-to-6 knee-buckler.

Rangers RHP Neftali Feliz, on the other hand, looked to be in complete control in the bottom half. (Feliz wasn't slated to start, but the rain delay wiped out Red Sox RHP Junichi Tazawa's scheduled inning.) Working exclusively from the stretch as he prepares to join the Rangers' big league bullpen, Feliz gassed up Rockies 2B Eric Young, Jr., Rays OF Desmond Jennings, and A's 1B Chris Carter. His only blemish was a 10-pitch walk to Cardinals 3B Brett Wallace. Feliz took the prize for highest radar gun reading of the day, too, reportedly touching triple digits. He had his trademark smooth motion and lightning-quick arm, but I didn't see any secondary pitches of note. (He didn't need them today.)

Rockies RHP Jhoulys Chacin was the only other World pitcher who had a stellar outing. He walked one, but he also fanned 2 and breezed through a scoreless frame. Chacin caught several batters out in front on his changeup, a plus pitch for the 21-year-old.

On the U.S. side, several pitchers looked good, and none moreso than Phillies RHP Kyle Drabek. The 2006 1st-rounder and Tommy John alum whipped through a 10-pitch second inning. He touched 96 with his fastball, tossed at least one nasty curve, and showed substantially better command and maturity than I expected.

Mat Latos, in the midst of a breakout year for the Padres, also handled an inning of work with ease. It only took the 6-foot-6 righty 8 pitches (all sinking fastballs from 94-96 mph) to retire the World in order. I wasn't all that high on Latos coming into the year, but I can't argue with his Futures Game performance or his 8-1, 1.37 (and 6.1 K-BB ratio) performance in the minors this year.

Red Sox RHP Casey Kelly, who used just 9 pitches to work through a perfect 6th inning for the U.S. team, also came as advertised. Despite being just 19 years old and a part-time shortstop, he had an easy delivery, 92-93 mph fastball, good curveball, poise, and control. (He's shaping up to be one of the very best pitching prospects in the game with the year he's had.) Kelly induced a groundout and a pair of flyouts before leaving.

Mariners OF Tyson Gillies was one of the primary offensive stars for the World, as he electrified the game with his speed. He got to first in 3.4 seconds on a drag bunt, and he also swiped a couple of bases. Jennings actually one-upped Gillies, stealing 3 on the day.

Besides that, the biggest storyline of the game was shoddy defensive play. C Tyler Flowers (White Sox) and 2B Jemile Weeks (A's) both committed throwing errors for the U.S., as did 3B Dayan Viciedo (White Sox) for the World team. All of those errors came in crucial spots and led to runs. Weeks tried to come up with a spectacular play on a grounder up the middle, but tossed it past SS Danny Espinosa (Nationals). That helped the 4-run 7th-inning outburst that led the World to victory. Chris Carter also couldn't glove a ball down the line that inning, and it resulted in a go-ahead double. It was a tough play, but the defensively-challenged Carter would've done well to at least block it up and prevent a run. That ball was tagged by pinch-hitter Rene Tosoni, earning the Twins outfielder MVP honors for the game.

Before the World comeback, U.S. backstop Jason Castro was in line for the post-game hardware. In addition to throwing out Padres speed demon Luis Durango at 3rd base, Castro smacked a go-ahead 3-run homer in the 5th inning (one of two shots in the game, along with Young's 3rd-inning shot off Cardinals RHP Francisco Samuel). Castro, the 10th overall pick last year out of Stanford, is having a solid year overall, batting .304/.383/.478, albeit in hitter-friendly conditions.

A couple other players who I was impressed with were Cubs IF Starlin Castro, Braves OF Jason Heyward, and Brewers 2B Brett Lawrie. You can also check out the box score for all the details.

And before I wrap it up, I want to express a problem I have with the Futures Game format: Why are organizations limited to only 2 participants? And related to that, why does each organization and as many different countries as possible need to be represented? We got to witness today what mess it can cause. While prospects like Buster Posey, Tim Alderson, Wade Davis, and Michael Taylor sat at home and watched, players such as Chia-Jen Lo, K.D. Kang, and Luis Perez played poorly as their organization or country's lone rep. I think it'd be great to allow deep organizations to fill more than 2 roster slots. It would just illustrate how their system is thriving. Same with the countries. Instead of having a mediocre Korean representative, the Dominican Republic or Venezuela should take up another roster spot, assuming the top available talent is from there. If 2/3 of the roster was from the D.R., that just shows how much of a hotbed it is. And if a team or a country can't muster up a competent player, then just shut them out of the game to show its current quality. Seriously, who would rather have those players in the game than Buster Posey? For the sake of having the absolute cream of the crop and not just a certain number from each team, the cap should be lifted. Other than that, this year's Futures Game was amazing yet again.

Neftali Feliz

Casey Kelly

Jason Heyward

*Photos courtesy of www.yahoo.com and www.mlb.com