The Colorado Rockies made a balanced selection of high school and college talent but concentrated their high picks on prep talent that are likely years away from helping in Denver.
Zac Veen and Drew Romo both could be All-Star talent at the MLB level but middle-round pitching will likely beat them to the highest ranks first.
Here’s a breakdown of the six Colorado Rockies selections in the 2020 MLB Draft.
Round 1: Zac Veen (OF, Sugar Creek HS)
Florida prep outfielder Zac Veen was the first high school player selected in the 2020 MLB draft with the eighth overall selection in the first round.
Following seven straight college players selected to open the draft, the Colorado Rockies drafted the Spruce Creek High School outfielder with their first-round selection.
The 6-foot-4 lanky outfielder should fit into his frame and could find himself a fit in any of the three outfield positions at the MLB level. However, good arm strength could get him a shot in right.
The left-handed-hitting Veen has a very smooth swing that can hit for both average and power. One comparison to Veen would be Christian Yelich as the ball explodes off his bat.
His balanced hitting approach gives the Rockies another great all-around prep draft selection. Colorado should be patient with Veen and allow him to make his way through the minor league levels over the next four years.
Competitive Balance Round A: Drew Romo (C, The Woodlands HS)
Colorado selected high school catcher Drew Romo with the 35th overall selection in the draft.
Many expected Romo to get drafted in the first round, so it’s fair to say the Rockies got a steal by landing him after the first round concluded.
Romo offers elite defensive ability with an equally strong ability to hit; he should develop more power as he continues to grow physically as a professional.
The switch-hitter had a verbal commitment to LSU but should find the $2.1 million slot bonus enough motivation to begin his professional career immediately.
Round 2: Chris McMahon (RHP, Miami)
The Rockies selected the University of Miami right-handed pitcher with the 46th overall pick in the 2020 MLB draft.
The West Chester, Penn., right-handed pitcher started 20 of 22 games for the Hurricanes, posting a 3.28 ERA and 7-3 win-loss record while striking out 123 hitters in 112.1 innings during his ACC career.
McMahon provides Colorado with another developed college arm they can place in Single-A and develop into their rotation down the road. McMahon’s fastball sits at 95-96 and his changeup was very effective in forcing a high ground-ball percentage at the college level. His breaking ball will need to be developed and improved with the help of the Rockies’ minor league pitching coaches.
Round 3: Sam Weatherly (LHP, Clemson)
Sam Weatherly, a starting pitcher, was selected with the 81st overall selection after converting from the bullpen to be a Friday night starter in 2020.
The 6-foot-4, 205-pound southpaw could figure as a reliever at the MLB level, but there’s a good chance that the Rockies will give him a shot as a starter as he begins his professional career.
Weatherly has a plus-slider and good fastball. If he is successful at the lower levels of the minors, he could find himself progressing quickly through the Rockies’ farm system.
Round 4: Case Williams (RHP, Douglas County HS)
Case Williams was Rockies’ 110th overall pick after he wasn’t projected high on many talent boards.
Williams offers a low-90s fastball that tops off in the mid-90s. He also possesses a breaking ball that needs some development.
The Castle Rock, Colo., prep pitcher provides the Rockies with an arm that has experience pitching in high altitude environments and could provide him with an advantage by developing in a mile-high ballpark.
Williams verbally committed to Santa Clara but will likely join his home-state Rockies and advance quickly in a pitching-starved Rockies system.
Round 5: Jack Blomgren (SS, Michigan)
The Rockies selected college shortstop Jack Blomgren with the 140th overall selection in the draft, making him the only college position player drafted by the club in 2020.
The Wisconsin native likely projects to be a valuable utility infielder who can play around the infield as he provides the organization with infield depth.
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound infielder hit .276 with a .399 on-base percentage during his three seasons and 460 at-bats with the Michigan Wolverines. Blomgren is the type of player that will progress through each level as a solid contact hitter with a good glove and multiple infield positions in his track record.
Veen and Romo are clearly the cream of the crop of the Rockies’ draft class but Colorado baseball fans will need to exercise patience awaiting their arrival in Denver.
