Eddie Butler could be one of the first impact pitching prospects to debut in 2014.
Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
With the offseason acquisition of Brett Anderson from the Oakland A’s, the Colorado Rockies' half-decade-long quest for a mid-rotation left-hander is officially over.
In 2009, the Rockies selected prep standout Tyler Matzek in the first round of the draft. Two years later—with Matzek issuing walk after walk in A-ball—the organization once again tried its luck by selecting Oregon product Tyler Anderson with the 20th overall pick. The 24-year-old put up solid numbers in the hitter-friendly (High-A) California League in 2013, though there’s concern about whether his arsenal—specifically, his lack of a true plus pitch—will translate at the highest level.
The arrival of Colorado’s youth movement during the 2014 season has the potential to transform the team’s already promising starting rotation in to one of the best in the National League.
Flame-throwing right-hander Jonathan Gray, the second overall pick in the 2013 draft, should move quickly next year, opening the season at Double-A Tulsa before reaching the majors ahead of schedule.
Meanwhile, 2012 supplemental first-rounder Eddie Butler and his filthy, bat-missing arsenal could make a run at the Opening Day rotation with a strong spring training. And he’s a safe bet to debut before the All-Star break.
The Rockies also house two of the more intriguing outfield prospects in the low minors in David Dahl and Raimel Tapia.
Dahl, the 10th overall pick in the 2012 draft, enjoyed an outstanding professional debut after signing, batting .379/.423/.625 with 41 extra-base hits in 306 plate appearances in the Rookie-level Pioneer League. However, the 19-year-old played in only 10 games in 2013 after suffering a hamstring injury early in the season.
Like Dahl, Tapia, who will turn 20 in February, put up monster numbers during his professional (or stateside in his case) debut in the Pioneer League. The left-handed batter absolutely raked in 2013, posting a .357/.399/.562 batting line with 33 extra-base hits in 286 plate appearances.
Here’s a look at the Rockies' top 10 prospects for the 2014 season.
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