The Rockies have spent years trying to solve a problem that Coors Field keeps making harder: pitching. That’s the reality of life in Denver, where free-agent arms have little incentive to risk watching their numbers balloon in the thin air.
Because of that, Colorado has often chased pitching through the draft. The organization has taken several starting pitchers over the years, including Chase Dollander in 2023.
Now the Rockies are back on the clock with the No. 10 pick, and there will be plenty of arms available in that range. The question is whether that should really be the direction they take.
The better move, at least in the eyes of Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer, is to lean into what the Rockies can be at their best: an offense-first club built for their home park.
"This is Paul DePodesta's first draft with the Rockies, and he's set up well to succeed. In addition to the No. 10 pick, he also holds picks at No. 37 and No.
- Those are three good chances to add to a system that's already trending up.
But since Coors Field is still there, DePodesta shouldn't waste time trying to find a franchise pitcher with any of those picks. It's been too long since the Rockies were an offensive powerhouse, and that's what dePodesta must focus on building."
One name that fits that idea is Jacob Lombard, a prep shortstop and the younger brother of New York Yankees top prospect George Lombard Jr. He has the profile of a future star, and he could be a strong fit if he’s still on the board at No. 10.
If Lombard is gone, Colorado could still pivot to the college bat pool. Tyler Bell and Justin Lebron are both mentioned as strong possibilities who would give the Rockies another chance to add offense at the top of the draft.
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Hunter Goodman has been at the center of it, with nine homers and 18 RBIs over his last 25 games, and rookie Cole Carrigg has added a jolt of his own since debuting on June 9. Even with that progress, the bigger picture still hangs over the clubhouse, because the Rockies have not gotten to 40 wins yet and the question now is whether this surge can become more than a welcome midseason blip. [Read more 🡒]
Rockies Fans Have Every Right To Feel Snubbed Over Hunter Goodman
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Still, the Derby picture is not fully set, and Goodman remains on the outside looking in as the invitation list takes shape. With several spots already spoken for and a couple still open, the Rockies are left waiting to see whether one of their most productive bats gets the nod he has earned. [Read more 🡒]