2020 MLB Draft: Scouting Colorado Rockies first-round pick Zac Veen

But to my elation, Robert Manfred read “With the 9th pick in the 2020 MLB draft the Colorado Rockies select Zac Veen, OF, out of Spruce Creek HS, Port Orange, Florida.” I couldn’t help but hit the ceiling. The comps are to a Cody Bellinger and Christian Yelich. I hate to anoint a kid straight out of HS, but this kid has shades of Larry Walker.

This goes beyond the bats left, throws right similarities and almost identical measurables (Veen 6’4/190 and Walker 6’3″/190) at the exact same age of 17. He projects as an uber-athletic right fielder with a laser arm, and a power/speed combo to project as at least a 20/20 if not 30/30 potential in the future.

His scouting report is actually much rosier than Walker’s. Veen’s is via MLB.com and Walker’s is from a scouting report in 1984 (you can check that out here).

Now I am not saying that I expect Veen to become the greatest outfielder to ever don purple pinstripes but I am saying he has the potential to be: he IS that talented and the reason why I never even dreamed he would be sitting there at #9 for the Rockies to pluck.

This goes completely against the grain with Rockies 1st round picks, over their 28-year history, they have picked a total of 3 outfielders including Zac Veen (David Dahl 2012, Kyle Parker 2010). They have selected 11 position players (three shortstops, two each for third base and first base, 1 utility man, and three outfielders) and 18 pitchers.

They are exactly 50/50 with 14 high schoolers and 14 college kids drafted. So the Rockies do not have a preference for level of experience, but they obviously believe the more swings you take at pitchers, that they have to eventually fill that seemingly bottomless hole of failed projects at a Mile High.

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Here is what MLB.com had to say about Veen before the draft:

Veen has the kind of left-handed swing that scouts can dream on, all coming from a projectable 6-foot-4 frame that can definitely add strength. He’s more hit over power in games with excellent bat speed, especially because he utilizes a spread out stance, but he’ll show off big-time power in batting practice when he stands more upright and creates leverage, showing the ability to loft the ball consistently. He’s reminded some of Cody Bellinger offensively and has drawn some Kyle Tucker comps as well, though he’s not quite as athletic. A solid average runner underway, Veen plays center field now, but is probably better suited for a corner spot. The Florida recruit is athletic enough with enough arm to profile in right, where his power potential could be a fit as well. If he continues to swing the bat like he did over the summer, he could very well figure into first-round conversations. His step forward at the start of the 2020 season, picking up from where he left off over the summer, has him very much in conversations among teams picking in the top 10.

This reeks of Troy Tulowitzki when he came in the league until Clint Hurdle told him to stand tall in the box like his 6’4 frame allows him to, and he took off to MVP form after.

Here’s to hoping the Rockies still have a Hurdle-like influence in the organization. I am so happy they decided to go with the best player available. Those that have read or heard me before, know I’m not a rose-colored glasses kind of guy. I am an extremely harsh critique and grader, you really have to hit it out the park (pun intended, I am a father after all) to get me to give you an A.

Well, Rockies, you did it, I give you a full A+ for this pick, I cannot wait to watch this kid grow into the superstar we all believe he will become. Now temper your expectations, he is literally still a kid at 17, it could take him a while to get to the show, a 2023 debut is the most likely the earliest we will see him in LoDo. But with the way this kid exploded between his junior and senior years of High School, packing on over 20 lbs. of muscle. He may be here before you know it.