Colorado Rockies draft history: Who could have been Rockies in 1992?

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Todd Helton #17 of the Colorado Rockies bats against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on September 28, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 28: Todd Helton #17 of the Colorado Rockies bats against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on September 28, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
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Colorado Rockies, Charles Johnson, Florida Marlins, 1992 Draft
DENVER – APRIL 6: Catcher Charles Johnson #23 of the Colorado Rockies readies for his at bat during the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field on April 6, 2003 in Denver, Colorado. The Rockies defeated the Diamondbacks 8-3. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

Back in July, the Colorado Rockies celebrated their 30th anniversary of being selected as an NL expansion team and in 2022 (assuming there is a season), they will celebrate their 30th season of playing games.

But as Rockies fans know, there have been some missteps along the way in various areas but in the coming days and weeks, we will look at some of the draft picks and what could have been if they were members of the Colorado Rockies. There are plenty of “what could have beens” for each and every team so the Rockies are definitely not the only team to have their missteps in the draft.

For example, Mike Trout who (if he stays healthy, could be one of the top 10 players ever) was drafted 25th overall in the 2009 Draft. He was passed over by 22 teams before the Angels drafted him. That ended up being a huge mistake for those 22 teams.

But, like with other teams too, the Colorado Rockies have had some great draft picks as well and we will highlight those too.

The 1992 MLB Draft was not a great one for the Colorado Rockies, though

For our series, though, we will start at the very beginning with the Rockies first Amateur Draft all the way back in 1992, when drafts were held by conference call and not on TV and not in the city’s hosting the All-Star Game (as it was in 2021, for example).

We also will do some comparisons in each round or close rounds (e.g. end of the first round in comparison to top picks in the second round) in order to balance what teams roughly thought at the time and what a player’s potential was.

For example, Hall of Famer Mike Piazza was drafted in the 62nd round in 1988 as the 1,390th pick of the draft by the Dodgers. The Dodgers also drafted pitcher Bill Bene with the fifth overall pick in that draft. He never even made it to the majors but comparing the Dodgers (and the other 25 teams) were not going to draft Piazza in the first round (but maybe they should have).

Let’s dive into the 1992 Draft and who could have been Rockies players if for a twist of fate.

Schedule