Colorado Rockies: How the 2016 Draftees Fared Last Season

Feb 25, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; A bat and mitt sit on the field during a Chicago White Sox workout at Camelback Ranch Practice Fields. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Vince Fernandez – OF – Round 10 – Pick 290

Fenandez was projected to possess a better bat than glove when he slashed .350/.431/.509 out of UC-Riverside. Those great numbers continued into pro ball batting .310 with 63 hits in 51 games. He mostly played at corner outfield positions with the most coming in right field where he had .915 fielding percentage there and .930 overall. Fernandez will be brought through the ranks with his bat alone, but his overall success will be determined by how well rounded in every facet he becomes.

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Bryan Baker – P – Round 11 – Pick 320

There are not many stories compiled on Baker. He is a righty out of North Florida but possibly the most compelling thing about him is that he is 6’ 6” 220 lbs. That imposing presence is more promising than the numbers he showed in Grand Junction. He went 3-4 with a 6.00 ERA with batters hitting .320 against him. The good news is that he got plenty of opportunities with 48 innings pitched with 41 strikeouts compared to 12 walks. He will need to figure out how to get batters out without relying on the strikeout as his 1.1 GO/AO ratio is on the lower end of the spectrum. He is giving up too many fly balls to be successful as a Rockies pitcher. Giving up 10 homers in 11 games doesn’t help matters.

Brandon Gold – 3B – Round 12 – Pick 350

Gold has one of the most interesting stories of any of the 2016 Rockies draft picks. Most of Gold’s career at Georgia Tech he played third base. A series of Yellow Jacket injuries gave Gold a chance to make relief appearances. He made enough of an impression and became a starter. All he did with that is become the Jackets number one starter posting a 9-3 record with a 2.48 ERA. While the wear and tear is not there, the most intriguing thing about Gold is his command. In 24.2 innings with the Boise Hawks he only had two walks. He gets the ball on the ground. More experience is the key for Gold. The good news is that without much experience the Rockies can mold him the way they want.

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