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2020 MLB Draft: Scouting Colorado Rockies third-round pick Sam Weatherly

By Daniel Wettstein II

TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 26: A MLB baseball rests on the mound prior the spring training game between the New York Yankees and the Washington Nationals at Steinbrenner Field on February 26, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 26: A MLB baseball rests on the mound prior the spring training game between the New York Yankees and the Washington Nationals at Steinbrenner Field on February 26, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – MAY 05: A detail of the scoreboard as sunset falls over the stadium as the Atlanta Braves face the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on May 5, 2012 in Denver, Colorado. The Braves defeated the Rockies 13-9. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

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The Colorado Rockies get to add some good depth to the pitching depth chart, or to the dearth of talent in the system’s bullpens.

Below you can see what MLB.com had to say about Sam Weatherly before the draft:

"Weatherly’s best pitch is a low-80s slider that consistently grades as plus and can wipe out both left-handers and right-handers. He sets it up with a 91-94 mph fastball that tops out at 96 with good spin rates that create riding life that leads to swings and misses up in the strike zone. His changeup is improving as he uses it more often as a starter and shows the makings of an average third pitch. Weatherly has the stuff to start and a 6-foot-4 frame built for durability. He’s also more athletic than most pitchers and his arm works well, which makes his struggles to throw strikes baffling. He commands his slider better than his fastball and will land in the bullpen if he can’t do a better job of finding the zone."

Most are going to assume Weatherly will be developed as a reliever. I do not believe that is best, he should be given the ability to prove he is not a starter. He obviously needs to work on fastball command (as do almost all young pitchers as they enter a system), and the changeup needs major development, but he has the raw tools and “bulldog” mentality to be a workhorse type starter with a 6’4″ 200+ lb. frame. This may be the last player from the class to make it to the show with a 2024/2025 debut the most optimistic I could muster.

Next. David Dahl breaks down Nolan Arenado's swing. dark

Though this is a bit of a long project, it was a worthwhile flyer on a high-upside arm in the 3rd round of a 5-round mini-draft. This is yet another A grade pick with plenty of excitement even this late in the draft. With the way things have gone, I am sure you have an idea of where the final grade is going.

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