Colorado Rockies news and links for Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Sure, it’s early — as in super early — but, truly, it’s never too early to start speculating on the 2025 MLB draft.
As a refresher, the draft will take place on July 13-14 in Atlanta as part of MLB’s All-Star Week festivities.
The Rockies will initially draft as follows.
- First Round: 4
- Second Round: 45
- Competitive Round B: 74
- Third Round: 77
- Fourth Round: 107
- Fifth Round: 138
In the remaining rounds, they will draft after the Chicago White Sox. (For a complete draft order, click here.)
Some of the earliest mock drafts have dropped, so let’s see what the experts are predicting, keeping in mind that much of this is too early to be especially meaningful.
Billy Carlson — SS/RHP, Coronado, California (Baseball America)
Yesterday, Baseball America announced their first mock of the season.
Here’s what BA’s scout said when predicting the Rockies first-round selection.
He stays at shortstop and can play the game very well in all facets. Really good arm, mid 90s on the mound, can really defend, his contact skills are pretty good, and I think he will grow into 20-homer per year power. So, I am going with him right here as a high ceiling type guy.
Carlson is sixth in MLB Pipeline’s ranking of top high school players. As Jonathan Mayo notes, “Carlson is a Vanderbilt recruit with skills on both sides. He’s very athletic with good bat speed at the plate, using more of a line-drive approach at present. He has excellent actions and a plus arm at shortstop and should be able to stick there. Some might like him better on the mound, where that arm has been up to 95-96 mph at times with good breaking stuff.”
Read Baseball America’s scouting report here in which they observe of Carlson’s pitching, “He’s been up to 96-97 mph at peak velocity, throws strikes at a high clip and shows feel for two secondary pitches that flash above-average, including a mid-to-upper 70s curveball with tight rotation and a low-80s changeup with impressive fade.”
And now for Carlson in action:
So, Zach Agnos, 2.0, eh? (That would be the No. 23 PuRP.)
Carlson will be 19 at the time of the draft and has committed to the University of Tennessee after flipping from Vanderbilt.
Is this happening? Maybe. There’s a lot here for the Rockies to like — and the Agnos comparison is probably worth developing. Plus, we know the Rockies aren’t shy about drafting high school players (e.g., Drew Romo and Zac Veen). However, the last couple of drafts have seen them focusing on college players.
I’d add this: Baseball Amercia has Ethan Holliday going fifth, and if he’s available, assuming something doesn’t happen this season, I don’t see any way the Rockies would pass on Holliday if he’s available. If he’s not, I would expect them to sign another college player.
Tyler Bremner — RHP, UC Santa Barbara (Bleacher Report, Baseball Prospect Journal)
Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report projects the Rockies will take Tyler Bremner. (This is Bleacher Report’s third mock draft.)
With easy upper 90s velocity on his fastball and arguably the best changeup in the 2025 class, Bremner slots right alongside Jamie Arnold as the top college arms in the class heading into the college season. He went 11-1 with a 2.54 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 88.2 innings last year, and he has allowed just eight base runners through his first 13 innings this season.
MLB Pipline ranks Bremner fourth among elite draft prospects, noting while he’s moved between starting and relieving, his fastball stays between 95-98 along with a changeup and an improved slider. However, they have some concerns about Bremner’s durability
Here’s Bremner in action:
Is this happening? Well, he’s a Gaucho, and you know how Ryan Spilborghs feels about his alma mater. However, questions about his durability seem significant. I’m not saying I can’t see it because the Rockies’ tradition is to take the best available player, but it’s easy to project that selection going elsewhere.
Closing thoughts
I’m not going to detail projections from last season, but if you’re interested, here’s Jim Callis’ predictions from December 10, which have the Rockies taking Jamie Arnold, LHP, Florida State.
Consider this the beginning point of a conversation we’ll be having through July. I’ll provide an update when more mock drafts become available.
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This week in baseball fashion
The Baltimore Orioles revealed new uniforms, and they’re very orange.
You know, we’ve got new Rockies City Connects coming this year. Thoughts about an all-purple uniform? Or maybe bring back the black vests (with purple sleeves) and go all black?
Just a thought.
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10 key questions midway through Cactus League | Denver Post ($)
Patrick Saunders asks the pressing questions: Will Kris Bryant stay healthy? Can Chase Dollander make the starting rotation out of camp? Who will play the outfield? Who will close? (He thinks Seth Halvorsen has the edge.)
How the Rockies develop a reliever, step by step | MLB.com
Ever wondered how the Rockies develop pitchers? Thomas Harding has the details with a focus on Jaden Hill.
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