Rockies draft tracker, Day 2
Colorado takes its first southpaw, Miami’s Palmquist
After four selections on the first day of the 2022 MLB draft on Sunday, highlighted by Gonzaga right-hander Gabriel Hughes at No. 10 overall, the Rockies had eight selections on Monday’s Day 2.
LHP Carson Palmquist (Miami), Round 3, No. 88 — The 6-foot-3 southpaw had 14 saves for ‘Canes in ’21, then went 9-4 with a 2.89 ERA in 16 starts in ’22. He had 118 strikeouts to 32 walks this year and could be a middlerotation arm.
“He’s got a nice threepitch mix, and we’ve seen him up to 95 to 96 (mph) out of the ‘pen, and 88 to 92 as a starter,” Rockies head amateur scout Marc Gustafson said. “We think we can go out as as starter and develop… He’s got an interesting (nearsidearm) arm slot with stuff, and we don’t have that type of left-hander in the system currently.”
SS Ryan Ritter
(Kentucky), Round 4,
No. 116 — The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder is an elite defender with plus-range. He was All-league in the Cape Cod League and slashed .283/.369/.469 in 2022 for UK; an addition to thin shortstop depth on the farm.
“This guy is some kind of fielder,” assistant GM of scouting Danny
Montgomery said. “He can pick the ball up with the best of them… The only thing that’s holding him back is the offensive part of it. He went to the Cape and did a great job, and swung the bat as well as some of the other (top prospects). We’ve got something special if this kid figures the offensive side of it out.”
RHP Connor Staine (Central Florida, Round 5, No. 146 — Went to Maryland before finding a home at UCF, where the 6-foot-4 Staine was 4-1 with a 1.87 ERA in 12 starts this year. He had 51 K’s to 21 walks, and allowed only one homer.
LHP Michale Prosecky (Louisville), Round 6,
No. 176 — The 6-foot-3 southpaw made 26 appearances as Louisville’s closer in
’22, with 11 saves and a 3.38 ERA. He tallied 44 strikeouts in 37.1 innings; the Rockies want to see if he has back-end rotational stuff.
“You’ve got to give these types of guys every opportunity to start,” Montgomery said.
“His development will determine his profile as far as we how we end up using him (in the majors).”
C Kody Huff (Stanford), Round 7, No. 206 — The 5-foot-10, 200-pound backstop had a breakout season in 2022, with a
.315 average, 13 homers and 51 RBIS. There’s plenty more potential power in his right-handed swing.
RHP Davis Palermo (North Carolina), Round 8, No. 246 — A lanky, 6-foot-2 righty who ranked fourth among Division I pitchers with 37 relief appearances this year, when he had a 2.78 ERA and five saves. Another bullpen pick.
OF Brad Cumbest (Mississippi State), Round 9, No. 266 — A career
.280 hitter in college, the 6-foot-6 Cumbest slashed .306/.372/.537 with five homers this year. He provides future outfield depth, with lots of upside in his frame.
RHP Zach Agnos (East Carolina), Round 10, No. 296 — A two-way player for the Pirates who also played third base, the 6-foot Agnos was 3-0 with a 2.31 ERA in 30 relief appearances this year. He allowed no homers across 23.1 innings, and projects as a bullpen arm.
“This is one of those kids we’ve got to get off the dirt, and get him on the mound, and let him do what he can do as a full-time pitcher,” Montgomery said. “Let’s see what the upside can be.”
Plus, there were two more local players taken on Day 2 of the draft after Legend graduate Justin Boyd went No. 73 overall to the Reds on Sunday. Texas Tech righthander Andrew Morris (Monarch/colorado Mesa) went in the fourth round at No. 114 to the Twins, and Texas Christian righthander Riley Cornelio (Pine Creek) was taken in the seventh round at No. 201 by the Nationals.