Shortstop Brendan Rodgers from Lake Mary High School in Longwood, Fla., points to his name on the board after being picked by the Rockies in the 2015 MLB draft. (Bill Kostroun, The Associated Press)
The Rockies had four picks on the first day of MLB’s draft Monday. And . Colorado only did that once before, in 1998, when they drafted Matt Roney, Choo Freeman, Jeff Winchester and Jermaine Van Buren.
They’ll have to hope it works out better this time.
And judging by upside, it could. The Rockies got perhaps the biggest ceiling of potential in the draft with prep shortstop Brendan Rodgers, a power-hitting, power-throwing shortstop from Lake Mary High in Florida. He was drafted third, behind two more proven college shortstops.
Rodgers also piqued the ears of Liverpool soccer fans in England. Liverpool’s manager, also Brendan Rodgers, seems like he’s consistently on the hotseat in the EPL. But he’s not about to move to Colorado.
The Rockies’ Brendan Rodgers said he’s already agreed to contract terms with the Rockies, although he’ll still need to pass a physical. He’s draft slots calls for a $6.23 million signing bonus, but that can still be negotiated.
There was also some question about whether Rodgers will actually play shortstop for the Rockies.
“He has a chance to play in the middle of the diamond,” Rockies vice president of scouting, Bill Schmidt, said. “We’ll develop him as a shortstop. He’ll tell us in time if he can stay there.”
Rodgers said he’s excited by the Rockies for a specific reason — Coors Field.
“I had a pretty good feeling about going third,” he said. “It’s a hitter’s park and it was where I wanted to be. Luckily I ended up there.”
Freshly picked
Here’s the Rockies’ first-day draft haul:
No. 3 Brendan Rodgers, SS
Lake Mary (Fla.), 18 years old
** Perhaps the highest upside in this year’s draft … 6-foot-1 and 199 pounds … Power arm and power bat … Immediately drew comparisons to Rockies star Troy Tulowitzki … Committed to Florida State,
but said he’s already agreed to a contract with Rockies.
No. 27 Mike Nikorak, RHP
Stroudsburg (Pa.), 18
** 6-5, 205-pounder hits 97 mph on his fastball, according to scouting reports … University of Alabama commitment; compares favorably to Oakland Athletics pitcher Sonny Gray, scouts say … 97 mph fastball, with a spike curve and a two-seam changeup.
No. 38 Tyler Nevin, 3B
Poway (San Diego), 18
** Son of Phil Nevin, the No. 1 pick in the 1992 draft by the Houston Astros … Hits and throws right-handed … 6-4 and 200 pounds … Committed to UCLA … Had Tommy John surgery in 2013 and sat out 2014.
No. 44 Peter Lambert, RHP
San Dimas (Calif.), 18
** 6-2, 185 pounds … Also committed to UCLA, but as a sophomore … Pitched last summer for the U-18 U.S. national team.
Tags: Bill Schmidt, MLB draft, Tommy John surgery, Troy Tulowitzki
