Colorado Rockies: Rounding up the latest mock draft results

Keith Law (@keithlaw) ESPN

In Law’s first mock draft, he had Busch going to the Chicago Cubs at 27th. The analysis here is that he could go as high as a mid-round pick but many look at him as a big hitter locked in at first base. That wouldn’t be a detriment to the Rockies. In Law’s second mock draft he slots Busch to the Rockies just as Callis did. The biggest distinguishing factor between both mocks is that Law reports that the Rockies organization was at the ACC tournament, including Jeff Bridich. If the Rockies are to draft a position player, put money on Busch in the UNC powder blues.

Nick Groke (@nickgroke) The Athletic

Saving the best prediction for last with the local perspective, Groke is choosing J.J. Goss, RHP, out of Cypress Ranch High School in Texas. Goss is projected as the 24th prospect in MLB’s Prospect Watch. He is still in high school but that hasn’t deterred the Rockies previously as they picked Riley Pint and Mike Nikorak in 2016 and 2015 respectively. Groke rates his slider as the best in the draft from a prep prospect. He also notes his fortitude for throwing strikes with a perfect game in 71 pitches.

Efficient and effective are indicative of Goss. But Goss isn’t even the most highly touted prospect on his high school team. That distinction goes to right-hander Matthew Thompson who is committed to Texas A&M. The same is to be said for Goss, so the Rockies have some luring to do with this pick. Goss throws his fastball in the low-90s but should reach the mid-90s once he develops more. Goss outperformed Thompson the last two seasons and with a balanced changeup, he looks like a promising late round signing.

A couple of other options

As for Daniel Espino, the prep prospect from Panama throws gas with his fastball reaching the upper 90s consistently. He needs to work on his secondary pitches and is currently committed to LSU.

Brennan Malone is another prep right-hander who has a compliment of pitches including an above average slider and a fastball that consistently hits 96 mph. He threw a complete-game shutout at the USA Baseball National High School Invitational which has boosted his stock to the first round. Consistency is an issue though and may benefit from development in college.

If the Rockies don’t draft a position player (likely 1B Michael Busch) then don’t be surprised if the Rockies pick from a plethora of prep right-handers available in the middle of the 2019 MLB Draft.