Colorado Rockies: How the 2016 Draftees Fared Last Season

Robert Tyler – P – CBA – Pick 38 

Robert Tyler had a phenomenal freshman season with the Georgia Bulldogs holding opponents under .200 and earned a 2.68 ERA. Then his sophomore year he missed nearly 40 games. He didn’t have a remarkable comeback his final year but he did strike out 89 batters. His fastball can reach nearly triple digits and this is exactly why management drafted Tyler. Power pitching is the path as long as Jeff Bridich is in control of this team.

The potential is certainly there for Tyler but he struggled displaying it in 2016 with the Boise Hawks. To be fair the sample size isn’t large for the power righty only pitching seven innings. He went 0-2 with a 6.43 ERA walking 16 batters compared to 5 strikeouts. The only way Tyler’s fastball can be effective and live up to his potential is if he can command it. More playing time will help Tyler realize his true potential.

Ben Bowden – P – Round 2 – Pick 45 

Bowden is the last of the trio the Rockies picked on the first day of the 2016 draft. He fits the Bridich model well as his fastball is his primary asset. His secondary pitches are what will differentiate himself between the starting rotation or the bullpen. Right now those pitches are average but with Bowden the Rockies get an intriguing lefty out of Vanderbilt to counterbalance the two righties picked at the top of the draft.

Bowden debuted with the Class A Ashville Tourists. Before that Bowden’s Vanderbilt teammate freshman pitcher Donny Everett drown. The loss of a teammate put baseball in perspective. He is ready for the long grind of rookie ball. He started well with a 3.04 ERA in 23.2 innings. The strikeouts were impressive tallying 29 but also counter balanced by 15 walks. Bowden knows first hand how precious his opportunities pursuing professional ball are. Don’t expect him to take them for granted.