No. 27 prospect Veen invited to Rockies camp
The 21-year-old Veen, the ninth general choose within the 2020 Draft, was considered one of 22 gamers who’ve obtained non-roster invites to Major League camp, the Rockies introduced Friday. Big league camp will included three high 100 prospects – shortstop Ezequiel Tovar (No. 25), who completed final season within the Majors and can be given each likelihood to win the common job this season, and catcher Drew Romo (No. 84).
Camp invitations additionally included 9 gamers with Major League expertise – aid pitchers Fernando Abad, Logan Allen, Ty Black (with the Rockies final season), Matt Koch, Josh Rogers, Phillips Valdéz and T.J. Zeuch, plus utility males Harold Castro and Cole Tucker.
The Rockies plan to begin the left-handed-hitting Veen, who was chosen because the Arizona Fall League Offensive Player of the Year in 2022, at Double-A Hartford. Last 12 months, Veen posted an .807 OPS with 11 dwelling runs and 50 stolen bases in 92 video games at High-A Spokane. He completed the 12 months by hitting .177 in 34 video games at Hartford, because the Rockies needed to offer him a style of the upper degree. But with the sturdy AFL efficiency and a few familiarity with Double-A, Veen has an opportunity to impress and transfer shortly.
Romo, a switch-hitter taken thirty fifth general in 2020, battled hand accidents final season and ended up with 57 video games behind the plate and 40 as designated hitter whereas batting .254 with 5 homers at Spokane. Healthier in 2021, Romo batted .314 with a .345 OBP in 79 video games.
Romo is a part of what could also be a rarity, not solely in Rockies historical past however in baseball general – prospect depth at catcher. The Rockies need to Willie MacIver, a Futures Game participant in 2021, as the primary catcher at Triple-A Albuquerque. Jonathan Morales hit .308 in 86 video games there final season whereas Hunter Goodman knocked 36 dwelling runs in 134 video games throughout three ranges in ’22. Braxton Fulford had a .380 OBP and an .829 OPS at Single-A Fresno, and Ronaiker Palma turned heads by hitting .300 in 65 video games at High-A Spokane. All determine to be distinguished up-and-comers within the Rockies system over the subsequent few seasons.
Infielder Coco Montes posted an .859 OPS in 111 video games at Triple-A, and first baseman Grant Lavigne hit a mixed .283 at Spokane and Double- A Hartford.
Three pitchers invited might earn Major League consideration this season – righty starters Jeff Criswell (obtained from the Athletics for reliever Chad Smith) and Case Williams, who caught out 135 in 128 innings throughout three ranges final season; and righty reliever Stephen Jones, who fanned 67 in 58 innings at Hartford.
