MLB Prospect Preview: Brendan Rodgers
Photo: Ben Sandstrom/MiLB.com
There’s officially seven weeks left until Opening Day for Major League Baseball. Spring Training is right around the corner and baseball fans everywhere are starting to get excited. Each week for the past month and a half I’ve been previewing one top prospect who is predicted to jump into the MLB this upcoming season. Each of these players I feel like every baseball fan should be aware of heading into the season. Last week, I previewed the talents of Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Alex Verdugo. This week I am staying out West and will highlight highly touted Colorado Rockies infielder Brendan Rodgers.
Brendan Rodgers
INF
Colorado Rockies
Photo: sportskeeda.com
Brendan Rodgers was drafted 3rd overall in the 2015 MLB draft by the Colorado Rockies out of high school. Though he was drafted as a shortstop, his position is listed as “infield” because of his versatility and probability that he will break into the majors as a 2nd baseman. He is currently rated as baseball’s 10th best prospect and the #1 prospect in the Rockies farm system. Best known for his hitting ability and his arm, Rodgers should be a key piece to the Rockies’ infield for many years to come.
Last season Rodgers split time between Double-A and Triple-A, amassing a .268 average with 17 home runs and 67 RBI. He struggled in his 19 games in Triple-A, hitting just .232 there, but no one is concerned about his hitting potential. Throughout his minor league career, he is hitting .291 with a .346 on-base percentage. He has sharpened up his approach a bit, increasing his walks and lowering his strikeouts. With the ability to drive the ball to all parts of the field, Rodgers should be able to hit for a very solid average once he adjusts to the MLB game. His power has increased to slightly above average, grading out at 55 out of 80 on the scouting charts, and playing at Coors field will certainly help him even more in that category. Analytics project the Rockies prospect to hit .280 with 19 home runs if he were to play a full major league season this year.
With an above average arm, Brendan Rodgers has the capability to play on the left side of the infield throughout his career. Though primarily playing shortstop, he made 21 starts last season at third base and 20 starts at second base. While he is ready to break into the majors this season, the problem is the players ahead of him. Nolan Arenado will be at third base for the team for at least one more season and Trevor Story is blocking him at shortstop. With DJ LeMahieu signing with the Yankees this offseason, it seems likely that Rodgers will debut at second base. No one is sure exactly when in 2019 we will see him at the major league level, but my guess would be sometime during May. Rodgers has recently received the invitation to attend the Rockies Spring Training camp, so his production there may also be an indicator of how soon he may arrive in the majors. One thing is for sure: Rockies fans will certainly have their eyes on him as they eagerly await his arrival to the big league club.