As the 2021 MLB Draft nears, the Rockies — who have one of the most shallow farm systems in baseball — need to hit a home run with their No. 8 overall pick on July 11.
With that in mind, here’s a look back at Colorado’s first-round picks from 2011 through 2016 (Colorado did not have a first-round pick in 2017 due to the signing of free agent Ian Desmond). Who did Rockies draft in the first round each year, and in fair but critical hindsight, who did they miss out on at the same position?
Some years, you’d be hard pressed to want to swap Colorado’s first-rounders for anyone picked below them at the same position in the first round. With others — like on a particular pair of southpaws in 2011 — the whiffs are clear.
2011
Rockies picks: LHP Tyler Anderson at No. 20 overall (now with Pirates), SS Trevor Story at No. 45
Could’ve had: LHP Blake Snell at No. 52 (Rays)
2012
Rockies picks: OF David Dahl No. 10 (now with Rangers), RHP Eddie Butler No. 46 (now with Royals organization)
Could’ve had: RHP Michael Wacha No. 19 (Cardinals), RHP Marcus Stroman No. 22 (Blue Jays), RHP Lance McCullers Jr. No. 41 (Astros), OF Jesse Winker No. 49 (Reds)
2013
Rockies picks: RHP Jon Gray No. 3
Could’ve had: LHP Marco Gonzales No. 19 (Mariners), LHP Sean Manaea No. 34 (Royals), RHP Corey Knebel No. 39 (Tigers)
2014
Rockies picks: LHP Kyle Freeland No. 8, 2B Forrest Wall No. 35 (now in Toronto’s organization)
Could’ve had: RHP Jack Flaherty No. 34 (Cardinals)
2015
Rockies picks: SS Brendan Rodgers No. 3, RHP Mike Nikorak No. 27 (retired), 1B Tyler Nevin No. 38 (now with Orioles)
Could’ve had: SS Kevin Newman No. 19 (Pirates), RHP Walker Buehler No. 24 (Dodgers), RHP Mike Soroka No. 28 (Braves)
2016
Rockies picks: RHP Riley Pint No. 4 (retired), RHP Robert Tyler No. 38 (retired)
Could’ve had: LHP A.J. Puk No. 6 (Athletics), RHP Cal Quantrill No. 8 (Padres), LHP Eric Lauer No. 25 (Padres), RHP Dakota Hudson No. 34 (Cardinals)
