Colorado Rockies: 10 Fresno Grizzlies who you should know about

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Jun 21, 2019; Bradenton, FL, USA; Team Howard catcher Drew Romo (20) tags out Team Larkin catcher Jackson Miller (12) during the ninth inning at IMG Academy. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

The Colorado Rockies lowest minor league team outside of Rookie-ball, the Low-A Fresno Grizzlies, possess their parent club’s #1 prospect. There’s an expectation for that #1 prospect to be the star player every game.

However, for the Low-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, that’s not always the case. In this article, I want to share some names that you may be familiar with and some names you may not be familiar with, but ones that are excelling at the professional level.

I obviously cannot talk about every player currently playing at Fresno but know that this team is playing exceptional baseball right now club-wide as they enter Wednesday with a 7-0 record in the month of June. It’s been a total team effort and not one player alone has been forced to carry this team to victories.

Catching is the catch for the Colorado Rockies Low-A affiliate, the Fresno Grizzlies

That’s right. I want to start with a position that for most teams in baseball is their weak suit. A lot of teams either have a good catcher or they don’t, and for the Fresno Grizzlies, they have two very solid options behind the plate.

Drew Romo, selected in the Competitive Balance round in 2020, is a switch-hitting catcher that coming out of high school was known for his defensive ability and was considered one of the best defensive players in the draft.

However, no one knew what he’d be offensively. Drew has proven to possess the capability to hang with the best so far, as he is hitting .278/.293/.434 as well as homering twice so far in his young career.

Collin Simpson, a 29th round pick out of Oklahoma State, doesn’t spend as much time behind the plate but can and has caught for the Rockies minor league system before. He’s a left-handed swinging slugger and in his minor league career, he is hitting .292 with an OPS of .956.

DENVER, CO – JULY 14: The sun sets over the stadium behind the scoreboard as the Milwaukee Brewers face the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on July 14, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Brewers 12-3. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

Colorado Rockies prospect Ezequiel Tovar: Learn the name.

An international signee back in 2017, he too was thought to be nothing more than a defensive whiz at short. But the 19-year-old has proven that he’s not only going to hit but hit well all around.

In 114 at-bats, Tovar is hitting .281 with 3 home runs and driving in 18 RBI’s (one being an extra-innings game-winner). But wait it gets better. He can steal bases as well as he’s swiped five bags this year.

Mateo Gil, acquired in the Nolan Arenado deal, was liked by the Rockies very much in the 2018 draft out of high school but was taken before they got the chance.

More from Colorado Rockies Prospects

Mateo plays solid defense and can hit well enough, and has shown some pop to be present in his bat. He’s fallen into a slump but is more than capable of picking back up the pace. In 104 at-bats in 2021 Mateo is hitting .260 with a homer and 12 RBI’s and has stolen three bases.

Grant Lavigne, a 2018 Competitive Balance A round draft pick, is a tall left hander has hit for power and average, he’s hit 13 home runs in his brief minor league career and has hit .271 in 713 at-bats. The most impressive thing about Grant is his ability to drive in runs.

He has driven in 114 runs in those at-bats mentioned above.

Aug 27, 2020; Inglewood, California, United States; A general overall view of United States and California flags at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

The pitching staff for the Fresno Grizzlies has been very good featuring some of the best arms in the Rox system.

A staff that features the likes of Breiling Eusebio, Keegan James, Tony Locey, Robinson Hernandez, and many other arms that can run you a quality start or shut down the back end of a game is what you’re looking for as a Rockies fan.

Positive news on pitching. It gives hope. Between the 4 young men I have mentioned, they have a ridiculous 1.89 ERA. Outstanding outings from them all.

And, of course, you can’t forget the Colorado Rockies top prospect: Zac Veen

Of course, if you’re going to talk about the Fresno Grizzlies there is one man you have to talk about and that is current #1 prospect Zac Veen. Zac was the 9th overall pick coming out of Spruce Creek Florida.

In the short amount of time Zac has been a Rockie, he has shown that the plate vision that he is known for is no joke.

Next. Top prospect Ryan Rolison to miss time due to surgery. dark

In 99 at-bats Zac is only hitting .232. However, his on-base percentage is a whopping 130 points higher than his average, sitting at an outstanding .373. He has walked 20 times in 126 plate appearances. He’s also been a very solid base runner as he has swiped 15 bases. He could be a leadoff hitter in the future because of that on-base capability.

Home / Colorado Rockies Prospects

Catching is the catch for the Colorado Rockies Low-A affiliate, the Fresno Grizzlies

Colorado Rockies prospect Ezequiel Tovar: Learn the name.

And, of course, you can’t forget the Colorado Rockies top prospect: Zac Veen

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