The Rockies came out of MLB Draft 2026 with a class built to cover several spots, and their early picks gave them plenty to like.
Their first selection was Bell, the Kentucky shortstop who brings a switch bat, a smooth swing and enough confidence to make noise on both sides of the plate. He played with an edge at Kentucky, and the bat flips that followed some of his home runs told you plenty about his style.
Bell should fit right in at Coors Field, where his power could play well. He also said he’s excited to come to Colorado.
In 41 games with the Wildcats, he hit .343/.510/.608 with a 1.119 OPS, along with nine homers, 29 RBIs and 49 hits. At 21, he looks like a strong fit at shortstop and still has room to grow.
Colorado then landed Jackson, and that pick comes with serious thunder. The Georgia catcher won the Golden Spikes Award and the SEC Triple Crown, then put together a huge junior season that turned into his breakout year.
He led the nation with 212 total bases and 88 runs scored, and he finished 2026 with 32 home runs and 87 RBIs. Jackson brings real power, and the ball jumps off his bat.
That kind of pop should translate nicely to left field at Coors Field. His arm and athleticism add value, though his defense is still something to watch as he moves into pro ball.
The Rockies also added Negrete, a 22-year-old left-hander from Cal State Fullerton who turned in a solid 2026 season. He went 9-4 with a 2.70 ERA and set a career high with 94 strikeouts.
The question is whether that version of him is the real one or just a one-year spike, especially since his 2024 and 2025 seasons weren’t nearly as impressive. His ERA has been a concern, and his mechanics still need work.
For Negrete, confidence and hard work will matter as he tries to earn his way onto the roster down the line.
Swink was the other lefty Colorado took, and his profile is a little more uneven. He spent three collegiate seasons at Liberty and posted a 4.15 ERA with a 3-3 record in 2026, while allowing eight home runs.
Over his college career, he went 7-8 with 106 strikeouts and gave up 63 earned runs in 57 games, including 13 starts. He’s also one of the fourteen North Carolina high school players to be drafted this weekend.
There’s ability here, but the fastball sitting around 88 mph and the changeup at 79 to 80 means he’ll need to sharpen his approach, get ahead in counts and be tougher on hitters as he develops.
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