BSB Prospect Rankings: 31-35
Hey look ma, we did it! We finally did it. Being the self-proclaimed top-notch prospect guys that we are, we made our own Rockies prospect rankings! The four of us have different criteria when it comes to what we deem important in a prospect. Each “expert” had their own Top 35 ranking and then all four lists were compiled together. The end result is the average of each of those lists.
This is the first in a four-part series, with one part released each of the next 4 weeks. Let’s get the party started with our Honorable Mentions. You’ll see some BSB favorites on this list….that is intentional! Enjoy and let us know what you think!
Honorable Mention
Hunter Stovall
If you aren’t aware of Hunter by now, you probably should be. Once traded away from the Rockies, then re-signed with Colorado when the Phillies released him at the end of the 2019 season, Hunter has made a solid case for himself as a future piece of the Rockies’ middle infield or utility player. Last year, when Tovar went to the IL, Stovall filled more than adequately for the #2 Rockies prospect. From June 30 to September 14, Stovie slashed .317/.360/.491 while playing a stellar defensive SS. I expect he starts in Hartford and ends up in Albuquerque by year's end.
Banter Sessions:
Ryan Ritter
Ritter was selected by the Rockies in the 4th round in 2022 and has a chance to be one of the best draftees in recent years by the club. He played a year of JUCO ball in 2020 then 2 years at Kentucky (21-22) where he cemented himself as one of the best defensive shortstops in college baseball having won the 2022 D1 Rawlings Gold Glove award at shortstop 2022. While his defense is Gold Glove-caliber he’ll need to improve at the plate showing more discipline and contact ability. It’s likely Ritter ends up as a utility infield option and that’s never a bad thing with how good his defense is.
Dugan Darnell
The man, the myth, the legend – Dugan Darnell! If you know BSB, then you know Dugan. The former D3 third baseman turned Independent ball RP to the 2021 Rockies MiLB All-Star team, Dugan made noise quickly. The beast that is the Northeastern league gave Dugan his first real taste of struggle in his professional career. He spent the off-season in Australia where he went 18.2 innings posting a 2.41 ERA and 1.5 WHIP. He kept his high strikeout rate while down undah ending his AUBL stint at a 13.5 SO/9 clip. Dugan will have a bigger role for Manager Denorfia’s Arm Barn in 2023 and we fully expect him to dominate fools! Banter Sessions:
Top 35
35: Angel Chivilli- RHP, 20yo
20yo Angel Chivilli wasn’t a name to know initially in 2022 especially after starting out in the ACL but he was promoted to Class-A Fresno in July and went on to make 23 relief appearances for the Grizzlies picking up 10 saves, 28 strikeouts & a 2.88 ERA, establishing himself as a need to know pitcher. He’s extremely athletic and loose on the mound with a fastball that sits mid-90s and also has two offspeed pitches in his arsenal. Chivilli has starting experience but profiles best as a late-inning option who could be fast-tracked through the system if he continues to improve in the minors this season.
34: Noah Davis- RHP, 25yo
When you go to Noah Davis's Baseball Reference page, it goes to his MLB page rather than his MiLB page, and that is cool. The Friend of the Pod, the tinker master, the mad scientist is here and he is ready. Ignore what you see on the BR site, and now that masterpiece is still in progress. Drafted by the Rockies, then traded away, and then traded for again, Davis has the eyes of the Rockies FO brass, and for good reason. His stuff is nasty. As soon as he figures out what his pitches are doing and can hone in on the command, Noah should be a #4 or #5 starter if not a backend Arm Barn piece. I’d love to give you some details of his arsenal, but he probably doesn’t even know what it is at the moment. But go ahead and look at his Baseball Savant page, what do you notice? You see the 95 mph sinker along the 95 mph fastball with a sprinkle of 85 mph slider. Davis has MLB-level arm talent, it is now time to reign it in 2023.
Banter Session:
33: Gavin Hollowell- RHP, 25yo
Drafted in the 6th round in 2019 out of St. John’s University. The 25yo Hollowell got a September MLB call-up straight from Double-A in 2022 and despite mixed results in 6 appearances (7.71 ERA, 4.40 FIP) he showcased a pitch mix that makes him one of the most intriguing arms in the organization for 2023. Delving into his pitch mix, starting with spin rates, both his sinker (14th, 2474rpm) & 4-seamer (9th, 2591rpm) ranked in the Top 15 for highest average spin rate (minimum 50 pitches thrown of each) and his sweepy slider. While not a high spin rate option, did feature a 33% whiff rate, and he didn't give up a hit on it in 9 at-bats. He gets great extension from a lower arm slot and his 6’7” frame can be a huge problem for hitters trying to time up two mid-90s fastballs and a wipeout slider. The Rockies definitely have a need for quality relief pitching and a good spring should cement his place on the Opening Day roster.
32: Carson Palmquist- LHP, 22yo
A 3rd round pick in 2022 out of the U of Miami, the 22yo Florida native draws comparisons to Chris Sale with his funky side-arm delivery and impressive strikeout ability. It’s not an overpowering pitch mix but his slider is his true weapon with a low 90s fastball and mid-80s changeup available when he needs to mix things up. Similar to a few other LHP in the Rockies system he profiles best as a reliever who could give you 2 or 3 innings a game when needed.
31: Chris McMahon- RHP, 23yo
The hype train on Chris McMahon may have left the station but it’s time for it to return and start back up! The #8 Rockies prospect in 2021, suffered a lat injury during the 2022 Spring Training and missed most of the 2022 season. He pitched 28.2 innings for the ACL Rockies and Spokane Indians. He closed the season out with two strong performances: 6 inning, 7 strikeouts, 3 earned runs, and a 5-inning stint with 2 strikeouts allowing 1 earned run. The light is still bright when it comes to the Friend of the Pod’s future. His fastball has life and his changeup is one of the most fun pitches to watch in the minor leagues and he has swing and miss slider to match. I expect the Rockies to start Chris at AA Hartford, take it easy for a bit then ramp it up and see if the Miami University product can live up to that 2021 hype (spoiler alert: he will).
Banter Session:
ICYMI
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