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

By Daniel Wettstein II |
DENVER, COLORADO, - MARCH 26: Coors Field remains closed on what was to be opening day for Major League Baseball on March 26, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. Major League Baseball has postponed the start of its season indefinitely due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO, - MARCH 26: Coors Field remains closed on what was to be opening day for Major League Baseball on March 26, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. Major League Baseball has postponed the start of its season indefinitely due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
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DENVER, CO – AUGUST 27: A general view of the stadium as the Boston Red Sox face the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 27, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – AUGUST 27: A general view of the stadium as the Boston Red Sox face the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 27, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

In the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft, the Colorado Rockies chose possibly the most talented player in the entire draft at pick #9 in Zac Veen.

When the first round kicked off for the 2020 MLB Draft, I personally was hoping to see Heston Kjerstad as the Colorado Rockies pick as most pundits believed would be the pick for the Rockies as Zac Veen was not supposed to make it outside the top five.

I was having daydreams of the power of Kjerstad peppering the Coors Field stands with moonshots. There was so much talk about how if there was a full season of high-school ball, Veen and Spencer Torkelson would have been fighting for the #1 overall spot. There was no way this truly 5-tool potential, uber-athletic kid was going to make it past Baltimore and San Diego. Zac Veen just seemed to fit their outfield profiles and needs too well. But then the O’s picked Kjerstad at 2 overall.

Here is a video of Jim Callis on MLB Network talking about Veen.

This is when I started to believe, but I knew there was at least one more hurdle to jump at 8th overall and the Padres. Then they surprised and selected another athletic high school outfielder in Robert Hassell III (ranked 16th overall) at 8. Now, I just had to worry that the enticement of an arm like Reid Detmers wouldn’t sway them from the best overall OF prospect in the draft in my book and the #1 HS OF in everyone’s books.

DENVER – MAY 25: Larry Walker #33 of the Colorado Rockies throws the ball in from the outfield during the game against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field on May 25, 2003 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Giants 5-1. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
DENVER – MAY 25: Larry Walker #33 of the Colorado Rockies throws the ball in from the outfield during the game against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field on May 25, 2003 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Giants 5-1. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

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.

DENVER – JUNE 21: Troy Tulowitzki #2 of the Colorado Rockies is congratulated by manager Clint Hurdle #13 as he leaves the field after they swept the series with the New York Yankees as the Rockies defeated the Yankees 4-3 during Interleague play at Coors Field on June 21, 2007 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER – JUNE 21: Troy Tulowitzki #2 of the Colorado Rockies is congratulated by manager Clint Hurdle #13 as he leaves the field after they swept the series with the New York Yankees as the Rockies defeated the Yankees 4-3 during Interleague play at Coors Field on June 21, 2007 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

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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.

Related Story. Rockies: What happens with the draft picks and no minor league games?. light

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.

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