Colorado Rockies: 3 interesting non-roster invitees to watch this spring

Salt Rivers Fields, home of the Colorado Rockies in the spring and fall — SCOTTSDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 25: Archie Bradley #25 of the Arizona Diamondbacks delivers a pitch during the fourth inning of the spring training game against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on February 25, 2017 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)

Recently, the Colorado Rockies announced their non-roster invitees to Spring Training. This year’s class includes 17 individuals, 15 of which spent time in the Rockies farm system in 2017. While all non-roster invitees deserve to be watched, three in particular should stand out to those watching at home or in Arizona: Brendan Rodgers, Sam Hilliard, and Ryan Castellani.

Let’s take a look at each of them, beginning with Rodgers.

Rodgers has been highly touted since he was drafted third overall in the 2015 draft. Since being drafted, he has consistently been ranked one of the top shortstop prospects in all of baseball.

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After an average year with the Asheville Tourists, Rodgers was moved up to Lancaster to start last year’s campaign. What Rodgers did at the A+ level was nothing short of incredible.

During the 51 games he played for Lancaster last year, Rodgers posted a .387 average with 12 home runs and 47 RBI. His stellar play earned him a promotion to Double-A Hartford for the rest of the season.

A muscle strain injury plagued Rodgers during his time in Hartford, but he still played in 38 games for the club, posting a .260 average while belting six home runs and driving in 17.

Many fans are already looking forward to their chance to see Rodgers play for the big league team this spring. While he will likely start the season at the AA or AAA level, it certainly will not be long before Rodgers will be playing for the Rockies for real.

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