MLB Draft news: Colorado Rockies pick Michael Toglia with 23rd pick

With the 23rd pick in the 2019 Major League Baseball draft, the Colorado Rockies selected UCLA first baseman Michael Toglia on Monday night.

This is the second time that the Colorado Rockies have selected the 6-foot-5, 226-pound Toglia in the draft. They pegged him in the 35th round in 2016 but he chose to head to UCLA instead of signing with the Rockies out of high school.

He proved the decision to focus on college was a wise one, logging a .261/.382/.483 slash line and hitting eight homers as a freshman. In his first season of Pac-12 play, he upped those numbers to a .312/.434/.602 line.

Cliff Floyd of MLB Network profiled Michael Toglia shortly after his selection and talked about his ability to cover the entire plate with his swing. He also compared him to Mike Moustakas of the Milwaukee Brewers with his swing and ability to make contact.

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A switch hitter, Toglia has been described as having power from both sides of the plate and could profile with the Rockies at first base or as a corner outfielder. MLB Network listed him as the 40th best player available heading into the draft on Monday night.

According to Rockies public relations on Twitter, Toglia is the eighth infielder selected in the first round in Colorado franchise history and the first since Brendan Rodgers in 2015.

As a note, the Rockies drafted first baseman Grant Lavigne with the 42nd pick last year and picked first baseman Kyle Parker with the 26th pick in 2010.

MLB.com described Toglia this way…

"Just 20 when the Draft rolls around, he’s one of the youngest college juniors in the country, He’s a rare college bat with projection, one who could be a run producer in the future if he can refine his approach."

Here’s some video on Toglia…

The discussion about Toglia needing time to refine his swing is a key message in most descriptions of him. He still has work to do in order to become a Major Leaguer. Look for the Rockies to give him plenty of time to develop in the minors and won’t look to rush him into Major League service any time soon.