Rockies’ prospect Michael Toglia settled in for his initial plate appearance of the MLB All-Star Futures Game Sunday at Coors Field with one goal in mind.
“I’ll be honest,” Toglia said of the first pitch. “I was swinging no matter what.”
It was a bold strategy with brilliant results.
Toglia, a 2019 first-round draft choice, hammered a first-pitch home run — a third-inning, two-run blast that helped propel the National League to an 8-3 victory over the American League.
“That definitely put me on Cloud Nine,” said Toglia, a first baseman with Spokane (Class-A Advanced). “This is the biggest stage that I’ve ever been in front of. … First pitch, I was looking for a fastball. He came in, I stayed inside, and then kept it in the middle of the field.”
The annual All-Star showcase for the game’s top minor league talent featured three players in Colorado’s farm system: utilityman Ryan Vilade (Triple-A Albuquerque), catcher Willie MacIver (Double-A Hartford) and Toglia. The trio had varied results.
Vilade, a 2017 second-round draft pick, went 0-for-2 as the NL’s designated hitter.
“When I was drafted, I was an 18-year-old shortstop. Now, I’m a 22-year-old corner outfielder and infielder,” Vilade said before the game. “That transition has been good. Itap whatever gets me to the big leagues. I want to be here playing for a World Series title. Thatap my goal. Hopefully, itap sooner than later.”
MacIver, a 2018 ninth-round draft selection, entered the game in the fifth. He struck out twice but successfully threw out a runner at third on a steal attempt.
“Mainly, my defensive work is what I’m proud of because I came in not having caught a lot,” MacIver said. “We’re really worked hard on that part of the game. Defense, receiving, especially, with blocking and throwing, too. I’m really happy with how I’ve come along defensively.”
But Toglia’s homer, against southpaw Cole Ragans (Rangers), stole the spotlight. Vilade compared Toglia’s skillset to five-time Gold Glove winner Mark Teixeira.
“(He) hits for power from both sides,” Vilade said of the switch-hitter. “He’s a really good athlete and defender. I predict him being a gold glover at first base.”
Toglia said there is “no timestamp” for when he expects to make his leap to the major leagues. But the 6-foot-5, 226-pound infielder said: “I see myself as an every day, middle-of-the-order bat, run producer, and saving a lot of errors at first base.”
On Sunday, Toglia took a step forward toward making that dream a reality.
“Seeing that many people in the stands, thatap something that I’ve personally never seen before,” Toglia said. “That really told me that: We’re here. This is real.”
Glimpse of the future
A closer look at the trio of Rockies’ minor league prospects that appeared Sunday in the All-Star Futures Game at Coors Field.
C Willie McIver — Double-A (Hartford)
Selected No. 276 overall (ninth round) of the 2018 MLB Draft from the University of Washington. … 2021 statistics: .268 AVG, 51 H, 28 R, 37 RBI, 13 HR. … No. 30 ranked prospect in farm system. … Hit three home runs in a single game back on July 3.
1B Michael Toglia — Class-A Advanced (Spokane)
Selected No. 23 overall (first round) of the 2019 MLB Draft from UCLA. … 2021 statistics: .229 AVG, 49 H, 36 R, 39 RBI, 10 HR. … No. 3 ranked prospect in farm system. … Right-hand dominant but thrives as a switch hitter.
UTL Ryan Vilade — Triple-A (Albuquerque)
Selected No. 48 overall (second round) in the 2017 MLB Draft from Stillwater (Okla.) High School. … 2021 statistics: .272 AVG, 55 H, 31 R, 14 RBI, 2 HR. … No. 4 ranked prospect in farm system. … Transitioned from shortstop to corner outfielder/infielder.
