Bill Geivett, the Rockies’ assistant general manager and vice president of baseball operations, is ready for the June draft of college and high school players, which starts Tuesday.
Geivett has scanned the team’s farm system to determine where the organization needs the most help, and the list starts with pitching.
“Every year the need for pitching always is going to be there,” Geivett said. “That’s true certainly for us, but pitching is a commodity every club is looking for. We like to home-grow our pitchers.”
The Rockies have the seventh pick of the first round, so there’s a good chance the supply will meet their demand.
Geivett isn’t choosy – he’ll take starters or relievers, even though the Rockies and the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox have spotty bullpens.
“A lot of starters end up in the bullpen, anyway,” Geivett said. “We’re always interested in a pitcher’s mental makeup, but having both good starters and good relievers is how you’re going to win.”
A number of college pitchers have compiled impressive numbers this year. Matt Torra of the University of Massachusetts leads the country with a 1.14 ERA; Army’s Nick Hill is second at 1.22, but he may not draw interest because of his military commitment.
Steven Kleen of Pepperdine and Erik Morrison of Ball State lead with 15 saves, while Luke Hochevar (Fowler) of Tennessee and Lance Broadway of TCU lead in pitching victories with 14.
And beyond pitching?
“I’m pretty happy with the depth of our position players,” Geivett said. “I don’t think we have a glaring weakness at any one position throughout our system.”
There are some position players of note. Adam Tucker, a catcher at Birmingham Southern, has 25 home runs in 57 games. Corey Wimberley, a second baseman at Alcorn State, is hitting .462, and Florida State outfielder Shane Robinson is hitting .439.
Four of the Rockies’ first-round draft picks are on the major-league roster – first baseman Todd Helton and pitchers Jamey Wright, Jason Jennings and Jeff Francis.
“I think you’d be hard-pressed to find another organization that has sent up as many players to the major league as we have,” Geivett said. “Our success ratio has been pretty good at getting players to the major leagues.”
Right-hander Jake Westbrook, the Rockies’ top pick in 1996, is with the Cleveland Indians. Right-hander Matt Roney, the top selection in 1998, is with Detroit’s Triple-A affiliate, the Toledo Mud Hens.
Third baseman Ian Stewart at Single-A Modesto and infielder Chris Nelson at Single-A Asheville are first-round draft picks still in the system. Stewart has been slowed by injuries and is hitting .221. Nelson is hitting .160.
Second baseman Jayson Nix at Double-A Tulsa was the first player taken by the Rockies in 2001, but not in the first round. He’s hitting .231. Colorado Springs outfielder Choo Freeman, taken as a bonus pick between the first and second rounds in 1998, is hitting .294.
Staff writer Irv Moss can be reached at 303-820-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com.
