How did Colorado Rockies prospects perform in the Arizona Fall League?

With the 2021 Arizona Fall League schedule now completed, it’s a good time to take a look at how the Colorado Rockies prospects who suited up for the Salt River Rafters fared this fall.

A look at the statistics posted by Colorado Rockies prospects in the Arizona Fall League

In all, seven members of the Colorado Rockies organization posted numbers for the Salt River Rafters this fall. Four were position players (infielders Michael Toglia and Ezequiel Tovar, outfielder Ryan Vilade, and catcher Willie MacIver) and three were pitchers (right-handers Jake Bird and Jordan Sheffield plus southpaw Reagan Todd).

Vilade, ranked as the fifth-highest Rockies prospect, slashed .253/.344/.304 in 79 at-bats. He struck out 16 times while walking 10 and logged 12 RBI, tying with Toglia for the third-highest amount on the team.

Here’s an in-depth look at Vilade’s best game of the AFL campaign.

Speaking of Toglia, the sixth-highest-ranked Rockies prospect, he posted a .264/.343/.407 slash line in 91 at-bats and tied for the Rafters lead with three home runs. He struck out 26 times while earning 12 walks.

Tovar, ranking 11th on Colorado’s prospect list, posted some lackluster numbers, slashing .161/.219/.287 with three home runs and 10 RBI. He struck out 20 times while walking on five occasions.

MacIver, who was not added to Colorado’s 40-man roster before Friday’s deadline and will now be subject to the Rule 5 draft, logged 33 at-bats and produced a .242/.359/.273 slash line, striking out eight times while walking five times. He is Colorado’s 25th-ranked prospect.

Looking at the Colorado pitching prospects, let’s start with Bird, who appeared in 12 games all in relief and allowed 14 hits in 12.2 innings. He walked eight and struck out 12 while posting a 1.74 WHIP and 2.84 ERA.

Todd also made an impact for the Rafters in relief, logging 10.1 innings in 11 games. He allowed just four hits and walked four while striking out 11. Opponents hit just .114 against him and he posted a 0.77 WHIP.

Finally, Sheffield threw one inning and walked one batter for his only work in the AFL. The 26-year-old appeared in 30 games for the Rockies last season, but missed a stretch between June 3 and September 5 with a right lat strain.

Salt River, comprised of prospects from the Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers, and New York Mets, finished with a 10-20 record and last place in the East Division.