The MLB draft begins today at 5 p.m. on MLB Network with the Rockies selecting 20th.
Their strategy has long been to take the best player available rather than draft for need. Opposing talent evaluators believe Colorado will take a bat, with Utah first baseman C.J. Cron drawing heavy interest along with Hawaii second baseman Kolten Wong.
Teams will also make compensatory selections on the first day of the draft. The Rockies own the No. 45 pick for the loss of Octavio Dotel via free agency.
Though no local products are expected to be taken among the first 60 picks, plenty will come off the board Tuesday (rounds 2-30) and Wednesday (rounds 31-50). The draft begins at 10 a.m. both days.
— Troy E. Renck and Ryan Casey, The Post
Potential local MLB draft choices
College
Player, Pos., College, High School
• Derrick Bleeker, RHP, Howard College. Skyline (2009).
• Andrew Burns, SS, Arizona. Rocky Mountain (2008).
• Zach Cleveland, RHP, Metro State. Golden (2007).
• Zach Dando, RHP, Central Arizona College. Cherokee Trail (2009).
• Steve Dennison, LHP, Wheaton College. Regis Jesuit (2008).
• Kyle Ottoson, LHP, Arizona State. Eaton (2008).
• Dexter Price, RHP, South Carolina-Beaufort. Air Academy (2008).
• John Pustay, OF, College of Southern Nevada. Pine Creek (2010).
• Chris Roglen, OF, South Mountain CC. Rocky Mountain (2010).
• Casey Schmidt, RHP, San Diego. Ralston Valley (2006).
High school
Player, Pos., High School, College commitment
• Ty Barkell, 3B, Palmer Ridge . South Carolina-Aiken.
• Greg Bird, C, Grandview. Arkansas.
• Tommy Clouthier, INF/RHP, Mountain Vista. Creighton.
• Drew Merten, C, Regis Jesuit. Lamar CC.
• Jordan Serenda, SS, Chaparral. Columbia.
• Sean Leary, RHP, Arvada West. Pepperdine.
• Brett Lisle, LHP, Legacy. Virginia.
• Grant McCabe, OF, Cherry Creek. Duke.
• Connor McKay, OF, Regis Jesuit. Kansas.
• Brandon Mikulka, OF, Ponderosa. Creighton.
• Mikel Mucha, OF, Cherokee Trail. Wichita State.
• Matt Ogden, RGP, Smoky Hill. Michigan.
• Jerod Smith, 2B/SS, Grandview. San Diego.
• Tommy Strunc, RHP, Mountain Vista. Creighton.
• Ryan Wagner, 1B, Wheat Ridge. Arkansas.
