Colorado Rockies Pick Two On Day 1 of 2017 MLB Draft

On Monday night, representatives of all thirty teams descended upon Secaucus, New Jersey for the 2017 first-year player draft. The Colorado Rockies surrendered their first-round selection to the Texas Rangers due to the signing of Ian Desmond, but made two selections in the second round, picking Ryan Vilade and Tommy Doyle.

ROUND 2, PICK 48: RYAN VILADE

For only the second time in franchise history, the Rockies did not have a first-round selection. The Rockies used their top pick in the 2017 draft to select Ryan Vilade, a third baseman from Stillwater High School in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Vilade was ranked as the 43rd top prospect coming into the draft. The approximate value of the pick was $1,400,000.

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Vilade has been highly touted for the past few years for his enormous potential as an all-around hitter. He has some baseball ties, as his father is a coach at Oklahoma State. As a result, Vilade is currently committed to the Cowboys for college ball.

MLB.com touts that Vilade won the home run derby at the Under Armour All-America Game and that he was a key part of the American team that won at the Pan American Games. Vilade is listed at 6’2” and 190 pounds. He was born on February 18, 1999.

ROUND 2, PICK 70: TOMMY DOYLE

With their selection in the competitive balance round B, the Rockies selected Tommy Doyle, a right-handed pitcher from the University of Virginia. The pick was worth approximately $837,300.

Doyle was ranked the 168th prospect coming into the draft, but was selected much higher at 70th overall. He has some height and size, listed at 6-foot-6′ and 225 pounds, all of which contributes to the plus fastball and off-speed pitches he possesses. Doyle was born on May 1, 1996.

MLB.com offered some criticism of Doyle, noting that his curveball is below-average and he probably shouldn’t focus on it at the next level. Furthermore, command has been a past problem, leading to a lot of walks. As a result, MLB.com stated that Doyle would be “a solid day 2 consideration.” Maybe the Rockies saw something other scouts didn’t and will benefit from it in a few years.

Next: The joy-filled return of Colorado's Chad Bettis

The first day of the draft has come and gone. The draft will continue on Tuesday with rounds 3-10. It will stream live on MLB.com. Tune in to see who the Rockies will select to join the organization.