Colorado Rockies: Complete list of 2017 MLB draft picks

Are you enjoying Ian Desmond playing for the Colorado Rockies this season? Are you glad they signed him to a long-term contract back in December? If so, then you won’t mind that the Rockies don’t have a first-round pick in this year’s Major League Baseball draft.

For years, there has been intrigue surrounding who the Rockies might take in the first round of the draft. And for good reason, as the Rockies have done well in the draft in recent years.

Last year, with the fourth overall pick, Colorado selected Riley Pint, who is showing flashes of brilliance in Class A Asheville. The same can be said for Brendan Rodgers, who was taken with the third overall pick in 2015 and is currently hitting close to .400 for Class A (Advanced) Lancaster. The eighth overall pick in the 2014 draft (Kyle Freeland) and the third overall pick in the 2013 draft (Jon Gray) started the season as members of the Colorado rotation.

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This year, however, the Rockies have just three picks in the draft’s first 100 selections. Colorado’s first-round pick was surrendered to the Texas Rangers, which received a compensatory draft pick after Desmond turned down a Texas qualifying offer and was signed by the Rockies in the offseason.

Colorado’s first selection in the 2017 MLB Draft (set for June 12-14) will come in the second round and be the 48^th overall pick. After that, the Rockies will pick 70^th as part of the Competitive Balance Round B selections. Their third-round pick will be the 86^th selection overall and they are scheduled to select from Rounds 4 through 40 every 30 picks thereafter (barring a trade).

As a comparison, last season the San Diego Padres had the 48^th overall pick and selected outfielder Buddy Reed from the University of Florida. He was hitting .222 for Class A Fort Wayne (Ind.) heading into Thursday’s action.

The 70^th overall pick in the 2016 MLB draft was right-hander Connor Jones out of the University of Virginia. St. Louis selected him and he’s currently with their Class A team in Palm Beach, Fla.

Last year’s 86^th pick was Alex Call, an outfielder out of Ball State University. Picked by the Chicago White Sox, he’s currently playing in Class A ball for the Winston-Salem (N.C.) Dash.

Next: A complete look at how Colorado's 2016 draftees fared in their first professional seasons

While the Rockies may not be able to land a top talent like Freeland, Gray, Rodgers or Pint, there will be plenty of talent available in the later rounds. For a look at who the Rockies might take, check out this article on PurpleRow.com.

Are you enjoying Ian Desmond playing for the Colorado Rockies this season? Are you glad they signed him to a long-term contract back in December? If so, then you won’t mind that the Rockies don’t have a first-round pick in this year’s Major League Baseball draft.

More from Rox Pile

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