PL Grand Junction Jackalopes

Rockies' First-Rounders Shining in Junction

Published on August 18, 2015 under Pioneer League (PL)
Grand Junction Jackalopes News Release


Before they had even set foot on a professional diamond, Brendan Rodgers, Mike Nikorak and Tyler Nevin had already made history. As the first trio of first-round picks the Rockies had had since 2009 - and just the third in franchise history - the group became the first to all debut with the same team when they did so with Grand Junction.

Taken with the third overall selection, shortstop Rodgers was the consensus top talent in the MLB Draft heading into 2015, rated No. 1 overall by MLB.com. The high school product from Lake Mary (FL) had one of the top offensive profiles in all of amateur baseball last season. With an above-average arm and good range at short, Rodgers has handled the transition to professional baseball and the everyday grind of the Pioneer League season. His debut was a night to remember. On June 25, Rodgers went 4-for-6 with a double and a home run in his first game in front of Grand Junction fans.

High school pitcher Nikorak was rated the 15th-best talent in the Draft by MLB.com, but the Rockies shrewdly grabbed him at 27th overall. Last summer, Nikorak caught the attention of scouts by touching the upper-90s with his fastball in the showcase circuit. A Pennsylvania native, Nikorak doesn't have quite the mileage on his arm as many other products from warmer weather states which is viewed by many in the baseball community as a good thing for his future health. The fastball is Nikorak's money pitch with a curveball that shows promise and a good changeup.

Third baseman Tyler Nevin rounded out the Rockies' first-round selections with a Major League pedigree. A product of Poway (CA) High, Nevin is the son of former Major Leaguer Phil Nevin, now the manager of Triple-A Reno in the D-backs organization. Nevin's dad was the top overall pick in 1992, and his son followed 36 picks later in 2015. Though he needed Tommy John surgery in 2013, Nevin is fully recovered and uses an above-average arm as an asset. He's got the bat to carry him through the system as well. Nevin's hit and power tools each graded out as 50 ratings on the MLB.com 20-to-80 scouting scale.

The last time the Rockies boasted three first-round picks was 2009 when they selected lefty Tyler Matzek, outfielder Tim Wheeler and southpaw Rex Brothers. Matzek and Brothers have already made the big leagues while Wheeler is currently with Triple-A Albuquerque.

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