Grading every Rockies’ first round pick in franchise history

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

1999 – Jason Jennings RHP (16th overall) Baylor University

Jennings is the only player in Rockies’ franchise history to win the Rookie of the Year award after his stellar 2002 season. In his Major League debut, Jennings tossed a complete game shutout and hit a home run, becoming the first Major League player in history to accomplish that. He was a fixture in the Rockies’ rotation from 2002-2006, never posting a record above .500 but did have a 3.78 ERA in 2006.

Following the 2006 season, Jennings was traded along with Miguel Asencio to the Houston Astros for Willy Taveras, Taylor Buchholz and Jason Hirsh. He posted sub-par numbers with Houston in 2007 and signed a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers in 2008. He landed on the disabled list after just six starts and bounced around from organization to organization until 2011 when he signed with the Grand Prairie AirHogs in Independent Ball.

Numbers with Rockies: 58-56, 4.74 ERA, 622 K, 941.0 IP

Where Are They Now? Jennings is retired from baseball now and had his number retired at Baylor University. He resides in Dallas, Texas.

Grade: B-. Compared to the other pitchers the Rockies have selected in the first round, Jennings turned out to be a good pick. He won the Rookie of the Year award and was a solid pitcher in the Rockies’ rotation for five seasons.