The Rockies concluded the 2021 MLB Draft on Tuesday with exclusively college players selected in rounds 11-20. Colorado picked five position players and five pitchers.
“It was an older draft in terms of the pandemic because there were holdovers,” said Marc Gustafson, Rockies’ senior director of scouting operations. “When you have such a huge inventory of players and it was a 20-round draft … thatap why you saw a lot of college players go today.”
The Rockies’ scouting department met in Scottsdale, Ariz., this week for the draft. Gustafson said the team gathered 1,300 total reports on prospects from across the country for its final board — all ranked by position and classification. Colorado opened the draft by taking prep outfielder Benny Montgomery (Red Land High School, Pennsylvania).
“Itap exciting when you can find middle-of-the-lineup type players, and you can mix those in with some pitching,” Gustafson said. “Now, we’re going to do everything we can … and give these kids all the resources available to help them.”
Round 11, No. 320 — Nic Kent, SS, Virginia: A junior, the 6-foot-2, 185-pound Kent could return to school if the money isn’t right. He is a .289 career hitter in college.
Round 12, No. 350 — Mason Green, LHP, Central Missouri: The 6-1, 195-pound southpaw posted a 2.32 ERA in 18 starts in 2021, including 123 strikeouts.
Round 13, No. 380 — EJ Andrews, OF, Fresno State: At 6-1, 210, the speedy Andrews earned second-team All-Mountain West honors in 2021 after batting .325.
Round 14, No. 410 — Tyler Ras, RHP, Alabama: The Crimson Tide’s No. 2 starter this year, the 6-4, 205-pounder posted a 5.38 ERA and had eight quality starts.
Round 15, No. 440 — Benjamin Sems, SS, Michigan: The 6-3, 200-pound lefty hitter was second-team All-Big Ten in 2021, batting .314 with a .389 on-base percentage.
Round 16, No. 470 — Braiden Ward, OF, Washington: The 5-10, 180-pounder also plays middle infield, and led the Pac-12 with a career-high 34 stolen bases in 2021.
Round 17, No. 500 — Jarrod Cande, OF, Florida Southern: He posted a 4.72 ERA in eight starts in 2021. The 6-2, 215-pounder started off his career at Santa Fe College.
Round 18, No. 530 — Bryce McGowan, RHP, UNC Charlotte: A Conference USA first-team selection in 2021, the 6-1, 205-pounder had a 4.84 ERA and 99 strikeouts over 16 starts.
Round 19, No. 560 — Elijah Trest, RHP, Arkansas: At 6-2, 220, Trest had a 1.93 ERA out of the Razorbacks’ bullpen in 2020, then followed that with a 3.14 ERA this year.
Round 20, No. 590 — Tyler Ahearn, RHP, Florida State: The 6-2, 206-pound reliever had a 3.48 ERA in 15 outings after posting a 1.93 ERA as a junior, with 14 strikeouts to four walks.
