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**Here’s the podcast edition of the Rockies Risers and Shiners List for you Podcast lovers!**
**Right below is the Rockies Risers and Shiners list simplified. Scroll further down for FULL Future Grades, Roles, ETA, and summaries on EACH PLAYER ranked on this list! Tons of Statistics on each player as well! Some player highlights, future outlooks and more enjoy!**
| Rank | Player | Position | How Acquired |
| 1 | Zac Veen | OF | 1st Round 2020 Draft – 9th Overall |
| 2 | Michael Toglia | 1B | 1st Round 2019 Draft – 23rd Overall |
| 3 | Benny Montgomery | OF | 1st Round 2021 Draft – 8th Overall |
| 4 | Ryan Vilade | OF | 2nd Round 2017 Draft – 48th Overall |
| 5 | Drew Romo | C | 1st Round 2020 Draft – 35th Overall |
| Risers | |||
| 1 | Ezeqiel Tovar | SS | International Signing 2017 |
| 2 | Warming Bernabel | 3B | International Signing 2018 |
| 3 | Elerihus Montero | 3B | Trade with Cardinals |
| 4 | Adael Amador | SS | International Signing 2019 |
| 5 | Chris Mcmahon | RHP | 2nd Round 2020 Draft – 46th Overall |
1. Zac Veen OF| Spokane Indians (A+)
19-Years-Old | Bats: L | Throw: R | 6’4 |190lbs| ETA: 2023
| HIT | PWR | SPD | FLD | ARM | ROLE |
| 60 | 60 | 55 | 55 | 60 | 7 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .301 | .399 | .501 | .900 | 15 | 36 | 17 | 26.3% | 13.4% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .201 | 135 | 14.8% | 40.6% | 21.7% | 37.7% | 37.9% | 31.2% | 30.9% |
Veen did not disappoint in his pro debut season. When you look at his swing there is so much to love as it is extremely relaxed and is so fluid. While Veen’s frame is wiry at 190lbs, there is some power to it and it showed this past year. He hit HRs to all parts of the ballpark showing off his natural ability to spray the ball. He should also add some power as he puts on weight. Veen has a high level pitch recognition that allows him to barrel up all types of pitches. There is some swing and miss to his bat, but he is an overall extremely balanced and high level hitter.
Veen has plus speed and projects for around 25 SB a season as the Rockies will want him to be successful at a higher rate and be more selective with his running.
Veen is a slightly above average defender and will be able to man the corner OF positions well. He has an above average arm from the OF with accuracy and above average arm strength that is getting better as he develops.
Overall Veen has a super high ceiling and the potential to become a franchise player for Colorado.
Written By: @MiltonDauber
2. Michael Toglia 1B | Hartford Yard Goats (AA)
23-Years-Old | Bats: S | Throws: L | 6’5″ | 226 lbs. | ETA: 2023
| HIT | PWR | FLD | ARM | SPD | ROLE |
| 40 | 60 | 60 | 55 | 45 | 6 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .228 | .333 | .445 | .777 | 22 | 10 | 3 | 28.5% | 13.0% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .216 | 108 | 13.4% | 45.1% | 18.7% | 36.3% | 44.8% | 22.9% | 32.3% |
Scouting Report:
Toglia was the Rockies first round pick in 2019 and signed for $2.72 million. The switch hitter has had an interesting career to date. His power showed well in 2021 with 22 home runs and 20 doubles in 499 plate appearances. There’s more exceptional raw power in his bat that’ll surely translate sooner rather than later. The real question with Toglia is will he hit enough for that power to shine? Although the swing and miss is a bit concerning for Toglia (28.5% strikeout rate), he still will have a viable hit tool. Colorado is the perfect spot for Toglia as his power to his pull side is solid and he should mash his way into an everyday role as a gold glove first baseman with 30+ home run potential.
Written By: Drake Mann (@drakemann4)
3. Benny Montgomery OF | Fresno Grizzlies (A)
19-Years-Old | Bats: R | Throws: R | 6’4″ | 200 lbs. | ETA: 2025
| HIT | PWR | FLD | ARM | SPD | Role |
| 50 | 60 | 55 | 60 | 70 | 6 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .340 | .404 | .383 | .787 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 17.3% | 9.6% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .043 | 116 | 22.6% | 55.6% | 25.0% | 19.4% | 38.9% | 36.1% | 25.0% |
Montgomery is an exciting athlete that will mash his way through the Rockies system. Presently, like most young prospects, he struggles with off-speed, but has a level swing and can shorten up on inside pitches. He also has one of the best autographs in the game and has fun with it.
Written By: Austin Farmer (@AustinF0421)
4. Drew Romo C | Spokane Indians (A+)
20-Years-Old | Bats: S | Throws: R | 6’1 | 205lbs | ETA: 2024
| HIT | PWR | SPD | FLD | ARM | ROLE |
| 55 | 45 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 6 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .314 | .345 | .439 | .784 | 6 | 23 | 6 | 14.7% | 5.6% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .125 | 104 | 9.9% | 46.3% | 18.7% | 35.0% | 41.5% | 26.7% | 31.9% |
Romo was the best defensive catcher nationally among the prep ranks for the 2020 Draft Class. The Rockies took him 35th Overall, the second prep catcher taken after Tyler Soderstrom at 26th to the A’s. Due to the 2020 COVID season Romo made his debut this past summer.
Romo was more regarded for his defense than his offense as an amateur. However in his pro debut season his offense was the highlight of the season. Romo Slashed .314/.345/.439 with 6 HR while only striking out 16% of the time in 312 AB, albeit the bulk of his success came as a LHH. He had a pretty large split differential as a RHH vs as a LHH. Romo is very much a contact over power hitter. While he does have solid strength, he has a flatter approach angle to the ball and his plate approach is centered around spraying line drives middle away. It is likely that this offensive season for Romo was a little above what he projects to do with the bat, however it is a good sign of his development as a hitter.
Defense is Romo’s calling card. He had a solid defensive season overall, but he still needs some development blocking the ball as he allowed 12 passed balls in only 79 games. Romo is an excellent receiver with quick soft hands behind the dish. He is also highly proficient at controlling the run game with a strong arm behind the dish. He threw out 35% of runners in 2021, while this number is very good, it will only get better as he matures and develops. He has the overall potential to be a gold glove level defender behind the dish if he is able to improve on his blocking.
Written By: @MiltonDauber
5. Ryan Vilade OF | Albuquerque Isotopes (AAA)
23-Years-Old | Bats: R | Throws: R | 6’2″ | 226 lbs. | ETA:
| HIT | PWR | FLD | ARM | SPD | ROLE |
| 55 | 50 | 40 | 45 | 50 | 5 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .284 | .339 | .410 | .749 | 7 | 12 | 5 | 17.8% | 7.3% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .126 | 87 | 9.1% | 45.1% | 21.0% | 33.9% | 37.9% | 26.8% | 35.3% |
Scouting Report:
Ryan Vilade is an interesting prospect to say the least. He’s hit at every level in the minors and hit his way into the bigs in 2021. He’s got an above-average bat and his power numbers should be elevated being in Colorado. He’s added 35 pounds since he was drafted out of Stillwater HS, and hitting is in his family’s genes. His father was a hitting coach at Oklahoma State and runs the Vilade Baseball Academy, where Ryan is sometimes featured on their YouTube channel, so it is not his hit tool that is a question mark, but rather his fielding. Originally a shortstop, Vilade moved to third and then the outfield. He is well below average at either position, so that might drop his value some as he might have to be made a full time DH. Wherever he ends up defensively and team wise, his bat will carry him.
Written By: Austin Farmer (@AustinF0421)
Risers:
1. Ezequiel Tovar SS | Hartford Yard Goats (AA)
20-Years-Old | Bats: R | Throws: R | 6’0″ | 162 lbs. | ETA: 2023
| HIT | PWR | FLD | ARM | SPD | ROLE |
| 55 | 55 | 55 | 55 | 60 | 5 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .287 | .322 | .475 | .796 | 15 | 24 | 6 | 12.2% | 3.6% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .188 | 105 | 11.7% | 37.8% | 19.4% | 42.8% | 40.9% | 27.3% | 31.8% |
Scouting Report:
Tovar is one of the most exciting prospects in the Rockies system and with the departure of franchise shortstop Trevor Story (Sorry…Rockies Fans), Tovar looks to be the starting shortstop of the future in Colorado. He was signed for $800,000 during the 2017-18 J2 signing period. Tovar has surprising power for his size as there’s good thump in his bat. He has a controlled swing and swing path that’ll allow his contact tool to be solid going forward. While I do say that, Tovar is still very raw with his development as this showed at the Arizona Fall League where he hit .161/.219/.287 with three home runs and 20 strike outs in 96 plate appearances. In the end, Tovar is an exciting player to watch on both sides of the ball, he’s a high energy player and will definitely bring some talent to the top of the Rockies lineup for the future.
Written By: Drake Mann (@drakemann4)
2. Warming Bernabel SS | Fresno Grizzlies (A)
19-Years-Old | Bats: R | Throws: R | 6’0″ | 180 lbs. | ETA: 2025
| HIT | PWR | FLD | ARM | SPD | ROLE |
| 60 | 50 | 55 | 50 | 50 | 5 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .312 | .367 | .516 | .883 | 7 | 9 | 2 | 14.4% | 6.4% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .204 | 123 | 12.6% | 28.7% | 19.1% | 52.2% | 58.0% | 18.1% | 23.9% |
Scouting Report:
Bernabel was signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2018 for $900,000 and has been nothing but a consistent since signing. Bernabel has loud tools across and board and could rise rather quickly through the system. He’s quiet in the box and has a small leg kick and times pitches well with a slight hesitation in his load and displays a quick compact swing. There’s some raw power in the tank and Bernabel has a plus hit tool. There’s some serious upside with Bernabel, he could easily take the reigns at short and become a staple in the Rockies lineup for a long time. The only question for me is how much will he rise through the system in 2022.
Written By: Drake Mann (@drakemann4)
3. Elerihus Montero 3B/1B | Albuquerque Isotopes (AAA)
23-Years-Old | Bats: R | Throws: R | 6’3″ | 235 lbs. | ETA:
| HIT | PWR | FLD | ARM | SPD | ROLE |
| 50 | 55 | 50 | 55 | 30 | 5 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .278 | .360 | .529 | .889 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 22.0% | 10.6% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .251 | 132 | 12.2% | 38.6% | 19.1% | 42.3% | 43.9% | 27.4% | 28.7% |
Montero was a part of the infamous Nolan Arenado trade that sent him to St. Louis. Montero was signed back in 2015 by the Cardinals and had a breakout year in 2018. He looked to finally grow into his body and unleashed previously untapped power. This all changed in 2019 however as he struggled in AA for the Cardinals. The Rockies took a shot on him in the trade, and he has done nothing but make them look like geniuses. Montero was excellent in 2021, slashing .278 with 28 home runs across two levels. Perhaps what was most impressive was his ability to reduce his swinging strike rate and strikeout percentage. Montero has a big build and can hit for a lot of power. The biggest question mark is his hit tool. Montero has seemed to solve most of his issues, but questions remain. Montero profiles as a below average fielder with little to no speed. He should be in Colorado soon, and his bat in the Denver air could be fun to watch!
Written by: Matt Heckman (@Heckman_Matt115)
4. Adael Amador SS | Fresno Grizzlies (A)
19-Years-Old | Bats: S | Throws: R | 6’0″ | 160 lbs. | ETA: 2025
| HIT | PWR | FLD | ARM | SPD | ROLE |
| 60 | 45 | 55 | 55 | 55 | 5 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .299 | .394 | .445 | .839 | 4 | 10 | 7 | 14.5% | 13.5% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .146 | 122 | 19.7% | 47.0% | 15.7% | 37.3% | 52.1% | 22.1% | 25.7% |
Scouting Report:
Yet another young shortstop in this Rockies system, Amador was signed for $1.5 dollars and this loooks like a good investment for the Rockies. All he’s done is hit since he signed and has solid bat to ball skills that gives him a future plus hit tool. He has a smoother swing from the left side that’ll generate some hefty power going forward. In the end, Amador does have some talent in his way to nab the starting shortstop position but an up the middle combo of Ezequiel Tovar and Adael Amador is something Rockies fans should dream of going forward.
Written By: Drake Mann (@drakemann4)
5. Chris Mcmahon RHP | Spokane Indians (A+)
23-Years-Old | Bats: R | Throw: R | 6’2 | 217 lbs. | ETA: 2024
| FB | CB | CH | Control | ROLE |
| 60 | 50 | 55 | 45 | 4 |
| IP | G | GS | ERA | WHIP | K% | BB% | HR/9 |
| 14.1 | 22 | 20 | 4.17 | 1.32 | 24.5% | 6.6% | 1.02 |
| SwStr% | xFIP | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| 12.4% | 4.56 | 39.2% | 22.2% | 38.6% | 42.2% | 26.4% | 31.3% |
The Colorado Rockies took Chris McMahon with their second-round pick of the 2020 MLB Draft and signed him for $1.6mill. His fastball hits mid-90s, but gets left in the upper part of the zone. Often times McMahon tries to pitch to the outside part of the plate but struggles to hit the zone and he can fall behind early in the count. His curveball presently lacks consistent depth, but has downward bite to it, and as he continues to develop, his curve will become tighter. His change compliments his fastball and is deceptive, causing to fool hitters balance.
Written By: Austin Farmer (@AustinF0421)
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