Colorado Rockies try to build depth in Rule 5 Draft moves

The Colorado Rockies were somewhat busy during Thursday’s Rule 5 Draft that concluded the 2019 Winter Meetings in San Diego. However, the moves they made may simply be seen as planting seeds in the minor leagues that the franchise hopes will pay dividends at the Major League level in the near future.

In the first round of the Minor League phase of the Rule 5 Draft, the Colorado Rockies selected right-handed pitcher Nate Griep from the Double-A Biloxi (affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers) roster. The 26-year-old went 6-1 with a 1.98 ERA in 43 games for Biloxi last season, posting 22 saves. He saw action in one game at Triple-A, marking his only career appearance at that level.

In the next round, Colorado picked right-hander Michael Petersen from Milwaukee’s Class A affiliate in Carolina. The United Kingdom native went 1-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 54 innings spanning 41 games. He also picked up nine holds and nailed down two saves.

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The Rockies did not have a selection in the Major League portion of the draft.

Colorado’s grab of two minor-league relievers continues the pattern of the Rockies building depth in their bullpen. Earlier in the week, the Rockies signed Tyler Kinley away from the Miami Marlins and stashed him on the 40-man roster. He will have the opportunity to compete for an Opening Day job but will likely start the season at Triple-A Albuquerque.

We have more on Kinley’s signing here.

During the draft, Colorado also lost five players to other teams: Right-handed pitcher Jacob Bosiokovic, right-handed pitcher Eris Filpo, right-handed pitcher Erick Julio, right-handed pitcher Enrique Saldana and outfielder Vance Vizcaino.

Colorado, however, did not lose slugging first baseman Roberto Ramos in the Major League portion of the draft. Thought to be the unprotected prospect with the greatest chance of being swiped, Ramos will likely start the season again at Triple-A.