Colorado Rockies top prospect season review: The Depth

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Helcris Olivarez of the Colorado Rockies

SCOTTSDALE, AZ – MARCH 11: Helcris Olivarez #73 of the Colorado Rockies pitches during the game against the Chicago Cubs at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on March 11, 2021 in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Cubs defeated the Rockies 8-6. (Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Grant Lavigne is next on the list of the best Colorado Rockies prospects this season

18) Grant Lavigne, 1B, A/A+: .264/.380/.412, 115 wRC+, 13.6 BB%, 25.1 K%, 9 HR, 9 SB

Fans have been aware of Lavigne since he was selected 42nd overall in the 2018 draft. He went on to post a 160 wRC+ in his pro-debut. The hulking 6-foot-4 first baseman hasn’t quite shown the same elite potential since but he is proving he can be a great pure hitter.

Starting out in Low-A, Lavigne performed (123 wRC+) en route to a High-A promotion where he sat right at league average offensive production.

Mid-season promotions can definitely be challenging for players so it’s not worth paying much attention to that his production declined.

What deserves attention is Lavigne’s rock-solid walk rate on the year. With offensive prospects, walk rate tends to be a reliable indicator of translatable success to the upper minors and to the big leagues. The raw power is there and hopefully, Lavigne will begin tapping into it with frequency.

The New Hampshire native will likely get the nod to start in Double-A, landing him firmly on the Rockies’ radar.

Rox Pile’s Kevin Henry spoke with Lavigne back in July when he was still in Low-A Fresno. You can check out that conversation here.

19) Helcris Olivarez, LHP, A+: 6.05 ERA, 5.71 FIP, 1.58 WHIP, 24.7 K%, 15.0 BB%

The recipient of the most helium in the Colorado Rockies’ system during the pandemic was undoubtedly Olivarez. He’s got the size, velocity, mechanics, and breaking ball to be an elite pitcher. Unfortunately, the Dominican-born lefty lacks consistency in almost all facets of his game.

However, context in Olivarez’s case is important. He was dealt a tough assignment being sent to Spokane as a 20-year-old who had never pitched in full-season ball. Still, the 15.0 walk percentage is alarming.

There is hope for Olivarez given that he has a smooth and repeatable delivery but, given that he’s already on the 40-man, his clock is ticking. If the Rockies don’t see progress soon, the 6-foot-2 southpaw will likely get the reliever treatment.

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