Rockies dream scenario in the 2023 MLB draft

The MLB Draft is just days away and the Colorado Rockies will look to continue the ongoing rebuild that has taken place over the last three seasons.

Rockies GM Bill Schmidt is headed into a critical draft and is looking to make moves to finally make this team contend for a World Series in the near future. Right now they are dead last in the National League West and surprisingly rank 11th overall in hitting compared to all MLB teams. However, on the pitching side, life is not so glamorous. The Rockies pitching staff is ranked at 29th overall, just ahead of the Oakland Athletics.

For the Rockies and Schmidt, the MLB draft is the perfect opportunity to change their unproductive pitching ways as the team will have the chance to create a legitimate pitching staff for years to come.

Although the Rockies have made improvements to their lineup for 2023, there are still several positions that require filling, apart from the starting rotation. In light of this, I have compiled a dream scenario for the Rockies in the 2023 MLB Draft.

Drafting Paul Skenes

Although it may be unlikely, the best outcome for Colorado would be if the top-ranked prospect in this year's draft were to fall into their lap. According to most MLB mock drafts, Skenes is projected to be selected as the number one pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates. However, if the Pirates and other teams end up choosing position players before the Rockies pick at number nine, they could potentially have a chance at selecting Skenes.

Skenes is the perfect pitcher for Colorado, a former Alumni of the Air Force Academy from 2021-2022, Skenes is almost a seasoned vet when it comes to pitching in the Rocky Mountain altitude.

Last year, Skenes transferred to LSU last season and led them to victory in the College Baseball World Series. Throughout his final year with the Tigers, Skenes played 19 games and boasted a remarkable 12-2 record, with a 1.69 ERA. In addition, he struck out 209 batters. Skenes has showcased his ability to be a dominant pitcher in the MLB and could bring an impact to any roster. He may even have the opportunity to join the Rockies starting rotation next year.

It's widely agreed that Skenes is one of the most promising pitching prospects in baseball and has been compared to Stephen Strasburg when he was first drafted in 2009. Throughout his time at LSU, his fastball has consistently clocked in at 98 MPH. Skenes boasts a diverse range of pitches, including a changeup, curveball, and slider, which complement his fastball perfectly. Standing at an impressive 6'6" and weighing 235 pounds, Skenes also brings an air of intimidation to the mound that adds to his overall presence.

Adding Pitching Depth

The Rockies seem to be facing a challenge in their minor league system when it comes to starting pitching and may consider other pitching candidates besides Skenes. Unfortunately, they are currently lacking a pitcher who ranks among MLB's top 100 prospects and are struggling to identify a reliable Ace for their staff. Despite Kyle Freeland's impressive 17-win season in 2018, the Rockies' pitching staff has been performing poorly and is ranked 29th overall, with only the Oakland A's below them.

Despite the team's ongoing struggles with pitching, they have also faced significant challenges in signing new pitchers to join their staff. The Rockies have never been able to secure a major free agency signing for their starting rotation.

It is crucial for the Rockies to focus on building a strong pitching staff in the upcoming MLB Draft. It is imperative for Schmidt to make smart draft picks to strengthen the team's pitching. Additionally, the Rockies have been plagued by pitching injuries this year, and it would be wise to learn from past mistakes by investing in more pitching depth to ensure future success as contenders.