Colorado Rockies GM Bill Schmidt on possibility of Ezequiel Tovar making his MLB debut this year

Among other prospects, Colorado Rockies prospect Ezequiel Tovar has shown the baseball world that he is one of the best that there is. Before the year, Tovar was not on Baseball America or MLB.com’s Top 100 prospect lists but, now, he is #56 on MLB’s Top 100 list and #18 per Baseball America.

He has spent the season at Double-A Hartford as he has hit .318/.386/.545 with 13 home runs, 47 RBI, 15 doubles, and 17 stolen bases in 66 games. He was selected to the All-Star Futures Game but he hasn’t played a game since June 29 due to a groin injury.

If he is healthy, he could be in the majors later this season.

The Rockies could call Ezequiel Tovar to the major leagues this season, according to GM Bill Schmidt

Currently, in the majors, the Rockies have José Iglesias at shortstop but he is a free agent at the end of the season. Considering that Rockies GM Bill Schmidt told Rox Pile in Milwaukee earlier this week that the club has received interest from other teams with their impending free agents, Tovar could get a callup right from Double-A, much like Troy Tulowitzki did 16 years ago with the Rockies.

So we asked Bill Schmidt if that was something that was truly on the table for the Rockies.

“We’ve had talks (about calling Tovar up to the majors this season),” Schmidt told Rox Pile in an exclusive conversation. “First and foremost, he’s got to get healthy. He’s dealing with a situation that is keeping him off the field right now. He’s had a good year, he’s made tremendous progress but it doesn’t surprise me because I think he’s always been capable to be that type of player so we’ll assess what happens when he gets back on the field.”

If Iglesias is traded here in the next few days at the trade deadline, the Rockies would have to turn to Garrett Hampson and/or Alan Trejo in the interim at shortstop but if Tovar can get healthy, the chance that he appears in the majors this season would be a lot higher. Even as it is, it’s already on the table.

Colorado Rockies: Bill Schmidt, Bud Black on upcoming trade deadline, playoff chances

Colorado Rockies GM Bill Schmidt and manager Bud Black spoke about what they think the team will do at the trade deadline and to get into the playoffs.