MLB Draft: Sleeper prospect for each of the Colorado Rockies first 4 picks

Pick 31 (Compensation for Trevor Story): Roman Anthony, OF, Stoneman Douglas HS (FL)

Roman Anthony comes from the same high school as Colton Welker and with even more physical talent. He’s also already hit a homer at Coors.

Anthony doesn’t have the college numbers to dive into like Neto but his power is evident, his run times are well above average, according to Perfect Game, and this high school season, he hit .545 with just 15 strikeouts.

It looks like a quality 5-tool profile with upside only a notch below fellow Floridian Zac Veen.

Standing 6’3″ with some projectable room to grow, Roman Anthony is as enticing of a hitting prospect as they come. The Rockies need to continue accumulating athletic/toolsy players with legitimate offensive upside and this would be a perfect selection to fit that bill.

Pick 38 (Competitive Balance Round A): Carson Whisenhunt, LHP, Eastern Carolina

Perhaps set to go in the first round before the season, Whisenhunt was suspended by the NCAA after testing positive for a banned substance.

While nobody likes to hear that about a draft prospect, Whisenhunt is a can’t-miss talent with tools that should appeal to the Rockies.

His changeup has been absolutely lauded by scouts and looks to be a plus (60 grade) to potentially double-plus (70) pitch. The changeup could almost be confused for a curveball with how much late drop it gets.

When hitters swung at Whisenhunt’s changeup, they missed 59% of the time. For reference, the top changeup whiff% in MLB last year was 55.6% (Alex Reyes).

Whisenhunt’s fastball sat 91-94 last season but with his 6’4″ frame having room to grow, a 93-96 velo range is a likely outcome. Presently, it’s an average fastball by the standards of this draft but could become something more.

The East Carolina product also features a curveball with heavy drop and some horizontal movement. It’s a quality third pitch that gives Whisenhunt a second out-pitch to go along with his killer changeup.

In 2021, the southpaw pitched to a 3.77 ERA with 79 strikeouts in 62 innings. However, he limited hitters to a .560 OPS against him, showing some bad luck likely inflated his ERA.

Without getting to see Whisenhunt in 2022, it’s unclear how much he progressed as a pitcher, opening the door for some risk but also for him to be an absolute steal outside of the first round.

Pick 50 (Round 2): Ryan Cermak, OF, Illinois State

I wanted to find a pitcher for this spot but the hot zone for college pitching will be in the late first and in the compensation round, leaving quality position player talent as the best value.

The Illinois State star is a true 5-tool talent with plus speed to be an excellent center field defender, above-average power, a decent feel for hitting, and an explosive arm that gives Cermak elite defensive ability.

There will be some swing-and-miss in the two-time Missouri Valley defensive player of the year’s game but it didn’t stop him from hitting .340 this year and drawing a walk in 13% of his plate appearances.

While the Rockies are stocked up on bats, you can never have enough center field or shortstop defenders. Benny Montgomery and Brenton Doyle are the only notable center field prospects and both have present risk with their bats translating to Triple-A and MLB.

From this point on, it would be reasonable to expect the Rockies to load up on pitching talent as they usually do. Here are some intriguing, altitude friendly names to keep an eye on:

Jake Bennett, LHP, Oklahoma | 2022 stats: 97.2 IP, 3.69 ERA, 1.085 WHIP, 112 K
Orion Kerkering, RHP, South Florida | 2022 stats: 67.2 IP, 5.72 ERA, 1.389 WHIP, 91 K
Brycen Mautz, LHP, San Diego | 2022 stats: 90.2 IP, 3.87 ERA, 1.235 WHIP, 129 K
Luis Ramirez, RHP, Long Beach State | 2022 stats: 33.2 IP, 2.14 ERA, 1.069 WHIP, 38 K