DOB: 8/9/1996
Height/Weight: 6’0” 180 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
BP (20) - Future Tools: 60 hit, 60 arm, 55 power, 50 run Role: 60—Above-average player
Rodgers sat atop the Baseball Prospectus draft board last summer, and the Rockies perhaps got a bit of a steal when he fell into their laps after the Diamondbacks and Astros went with more polished, college shortstops. Rodgers is much further away than both Dansby Swanson and Alex Bregman, but as a potential plus hit/above-average power shortstop he has the highest ceiling of the troika. Rodgers generates plus bat speed and extension with a relatively simple load and short bat path. The power will likely play only as gap or fringy for a while, but there may be 15-20 home run power in there when he physically matures.
Rodgers has the hands and the arm to play at shortstop at the highest level, although his play there is a bit unrefined at present, as you might expect for a 19-year-old. He has a quick trigger out of the glove, and can make strong, accurate throws while on the move and from a variety of angles. He has the present-day tools to be an average defensive shortstop, but that could change in his early 20s. Rodgers can't afford to lose much range in the field as he physically matures, and the profile may end up playing better at third base, where he could be quite good given his hands and throwing ability. The bat would play fine there as well, though of course it isn't as exciting a profile if he moves away from the middle of the diamond.
Bret Sayre’s Fantasy Take: Rodgers is the relatively easy first overall selection in dynasty drafts this year, unless Yoan Moncada is available in your league as well, and was going to be that well before we knew he’d call Coors a future home. He could be an elite fantasy shortstop—hitting upwards of .300 and 20 homers—should he stay in the organization. Get psyched, everyone.
MLB.com (12) - Hit: 55 | Power: 60 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 60
MLBPipeline.com's top-rated prospect in the 2015 Draft, Rodgers was the first high school player selected and went third overall to the Rockies. After signing for a franchise-record $5.5 million, he had a respectable pro debut against older competition in the Rookie-level Pioneer League, though he missed roughly half the season with a variety of leg injuries.
With his lightning bat speed and strength, Rodgers generates plus power with an easy right-handed stroke. He doesn't sell out for homers and uses the entire field, which should allow him to hit for a solid average as well. Rodgers has the potential to put up similar offensive numbers to former franchise icon Troy Tulowitzki, whom Colorado traded to Toronto last summer.
Rodgers is a fine athlete with average speed and solid arm strength. Scouts who saw him as an amateur were split on whether he'll stay at shortstop, though most gave him credit for soft hands and good instincts. Rodgers could become an above-average shortstop or plus third baseman, and his bat would profile at either position.
KLaw (11) -
I had Rodgers as the No. 1 player in the 2015 draft class, so for Colorado to get him with the third pick looks like one of the best values of the first round -- even more so after Rodgers had a strong debut in the Pioneer League, where he was sent right after signing because Colorado is the only club without a complex-league team.
Rodgers is a true shortstop with soft hands, advanced footwork and a 65 arm; he's a below-average runner, which for some teams means he can't play short, but as long as he makes all the plays -- and he does -- I don't see the problem. He has a simple right-handed swing that produces hard contact, and he uses the whole field well, even hitting all three of his homers for Grand Junction the opposite way.
Before the draft, I said he might be Tulowitzki lite, a hitter for a high batting average with average power and plus defense at short, a potential ceiling that is still very much a possibility.
Fangraphs - Hit: 35/55/60 Power: 40/60/65 Run: 50/50/55 Field: 55/60/65 Throw: 50/60/65
Rodgers went into his spring season as a strong contender for the first-overall pick, though a slight dip in performance made him slide down two spots to the Rockies. Every aspect of his game shows promise, from his soft hands and strong arm in the field to his promise of power and average at the plate. Throw in above-average raw speed, and the sky is the limit for what he can do at the big league level.
His offense is likely to be the greatest source of value he provides on the field. A future plus grade on his power may be light once he fills out, and he has good enough contact skills to be a well above-average bat overall. He gets good lift to his swing despite his hands being a little steep entering the zone at times, and he can be long to the ball due to his barrel getting away from him early. Both qualities are relatively minor limitations, since he also has excellent hip drive and a really efficient lower half as a whole.
The downward start with his hands makes him mildly pull-heavy with his fly balls, though he has shown some capacity to drive the ball to all fields. As he adds strength, he may still be able to hit the ball out to all fields. The length to his swing may also lower his hit tool potential slightly, but I still think he profiles as a likely 55 bat due to a good feel for the barrel and great balance. I have a very small concern about strikeouts in the future as the competition gets better, but not enough to think his other skills can’t compensate for it.
Defensively, there is talk of him moving off short as he matures, but I think that’s premature. His range may be average or a little above, but he adds quick yet quiet hands and footwork to profile as a legitimate big league shortstop in my mind. He has plenty of arm strength and can throw from every angle, showing aptitude for throwing on the move. His defense at third would profile as elite for the position, but I still see him as an average shortstop at worst defensively.
As a high school bat, undoubtedly Rodgers carries a bit more risk for his high draft position, but there is great potential here with plenty of present ability to buy into his development. Whether he plays shortstop or third base, he has a bright future with one of the highest ceilings in the minor leagues.
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