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Colorado Rockies: A season review of the top 16 prospects

By Tyler Paddor

Sep 9, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Colton Welker (4) hits a RBI single against the Philadelphia Phillies during the fourth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Colton Welker (4) hits a RBI single against the Philadelphia Phillies during the fourth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 21, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; A general view of the game ball and rosin bag on the mound before the game between the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 21, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; A general view of the game ball and rosin bag on the mound before the game between the Colorado Rockies and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

A look at the seasons put together by Colorado Rockies prospects Chris McMahon and Drew Romo

4. Chris McMahon, RHP, A+: 4.17 ERA, 4.32 FIP, 1.32 WHIP, 24.5 K%, 6.6 BB%

The Rockies’ second pick in the 2020 draft, Chris McMahon handled a difficult debut assignment like a true professional.

Heading straight to High-A right away could’ve spelled disaster for the right-hander, but he managed to put together a respectable campaign and turned on the jets in mid-June following a one-inning disaster start. Beginning with his June 15 start, McMahon finished the year with a 3.59 ERA in 80.1 innings, flashing quality swing-and-miss stuff along the way.

The former Miami star has the ideal arsenal for a Coors Field pitcher, relying on his fastball, changeup, and slider, all three of which have the potential to be above-average pitches.

According to Prospects Live, McMahon’s changeup moves so much that it works like a screwball or reverse slider, giving it some truly special upside should he continue to refine his command and sequencing.

McMahon will almost surely start 2022 in AA, making a 2022 debut a possibility and a debut by 2023 a certainty.

5. Drew Romo, C, A: .314/.345/.439, 104 wRC+, 5.6 BB%, 14.7 K%, 6 HR, 23 SB

A headline 2020 draft pick as the highest-drafted catcher in club history, Drew Romo became the hope of many Rockies fans to eventually lift the catcher position from the club’s historical monotony. His professional debut only helped fuel those fantasies.

The Houston prep product is known as an elite defender. According to Thomas Harding, many draft analysts slotted Romo as the best defensive prospect in the entire 2020 draft. He has since received rave reviews from Fresno pitchers and staff for his game management and leadership.

The switch-hitter isn’t a slouch at the plate either as he managed to hit .314. While he might never be Yasmani Grandal levels of good as a switch-hitter, Romo makes a lot of contact, works smart at-bats, and has a lot of physical strength, basically all the tools you want from a hitter.

Perhaps the most noteworthy piece of his season was the 23 bags Romo stole. Though he was viewed as an athletic catcher, the five-tool ability at catcher wasn’t quite the expectation when the Rockies selected him 35th overall.

Romo will join Zac Veen in Spokane with a chance to move up to Hartford should he perform at a high level.

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