By Jack Etkin
January 22, 2013


Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel. All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible.

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TOP TEN PROSPECTS

1. Nolan Arenado, 3b 2. David Dahl, of 3. Trevor Story, ss 4. Kyle Parker, of 5. Chad Bettis, rhp 6. Eddie Butler, rhp 7. Tyler Anderson, lhp 8. Tyler Matzek, lhp 9. Jayson Aquino, lhp 10. Ryan Wheeler, 3b/1b/of

BEST TOOLS

Best Hitter for Average Nolan Arenado Best Power Hitter Kyle Parker Best Strike Zone Discipline Kyle Parker Fastest Baserunner Max White Best Athlete David Dahl Best Fastball Eddie Butler Best Curveball Tyler Matzek Best Slider Chad Bettis Best Changeup Edwar Cabrera Best Control Tyler Anderson Best Defensive Catcher Lars Davis Best Defensive Infielder Nolan Arenado Best Infield Arm Nolan Arenado Best Defensive OF Rafael Ortega Best Outfield Arm Julian Yan

PROJECTED 2016 LINEUP

Catcher Wilin Rosario First Base Nolan Arenado Second Base Josh Rutledge Third Base Troy Tulowitzki Shortstop Trevor Story Left Field Dexter Fowler Center Field David Dahl Right Field Carlos Gonzalez No. 1 Starter Drew Pomeranz No. 2 Starter Jhoulys Chacin No. 3 Starter Chad Bettis No. 4 Starter Eddie Butler No. 5 Starter Tyler Anderson Closer Rex Brothers

TOP PROSPECTS OF THE DECADE

Year Player, Pos 2012 Org 2003 Aaron Cook, rhp Phillies 2004 Chin-hui Tsao, rhp Royals 2005 Ian Stewart, 3b Cubs 2006 Ian Stewart, 3b Cubs 2007 Troy Tulowitzki, ss Rockies 2008 Franklin Morales, lhp Red Sox 2009 Dexter Fowler, of Rockies 2010 Tyler Matzek, lhp Rockies 2011 Tyler Matzek, lhp Rockies 2012 Drew Pomeranz, lhp Rockies

TOP DRAFT PICKS OF THE DECADE

Year Player, Pos 2012 Org 2003 Ian Stewart, 3B Cubs 2004 Chris Nelson, SS Rockies 2005 Troy Tulowitzki, SS Rockies 2006 Greg Reynolds, RHP Reds 2007 Casey Weathers, RHP Cubs 2008 Christian Friedrich, LHP Rockies 2009 Tyler Matzek, LHP Rockies 2010 Kyle Parker, OF Rockies 2011 Tyler Anderson, LHP Rockies 2012 David Dahl, OF Rockies

LARGEST BONUSES IN CLUB HISTORY

Tyler Matzek, 2009 $3,900,000 Greg Reynolds, 2006 $3,250,000 Jason Young, 2000 $2,750,000 David Dahl, 2012 $2,600,000 Troy Tulowitzki, 2005 $2,300,000

ROCKIES LINKS

Rockies Team Page Rockies Top 10 Scouting Reports Last Year's Rockies Top 10 Prospects 2012 Draft: Rockies 2012 Draft Report Cards: Colorado Rockies Complete Index of Top 10 Prospects Pre-Order the 2013 Prospect Handbook

The Rockies plumbed new depths in 2012, compiling the worst record in franchise history at 64-98, so significant changes were probably to be expected.

After reaching the playoffs in 2009 when Jim Tracy took over as manager in May, Colorado has been in steady decline, going from 92 wins to 83 to 73 to 64. After trying various fixes without success, the organization got radical in 2012.

In mid-June, the Rockies implemented a four-man rotation and alloted each starter about 80 pitches. That plan reduced the opportunity for valuable sidework between starts, among other problems, and was scrapped after two months.

The pitching staff ended the season with a 5.22 ERA, the highest in the majors and the team's worst since 2004, as the organization continues to struggle with the vagaries of playing at altitude. Colorado's 35-46 record at Coors Field last season was its worst ever, and its starters' ERA at home was 6.70.

In August, general manager Dan O'Dowd and assistant GM Bill Geivett essentially switched responsibilities, with O'Dowd shifting his focus to player development and scouting while keeping the GM title. Geivett became senior director of major league operations and established an office in the clubhouse conference room, from where he exerted significant influence over just about everything associated with the team except game management.

Uncomfortable with his reduced authority under the new front-office arrangement, Tracy resigned after the season, walking away from the $1.4 million salary he had coming in 2013. To replace him, the Rockies hired Walt Weiss, the shortstop on their first-ever playoff club in 1995 and a former special assistant to O'Dowd for seven years, most recently in 2008. Weiss hasn't managed or coached professionally, and he had coached a Denver-area high school team for one successful season when hired.

Colorado has a long history of loyalty to its employees, so the one-year deal Weiss received is less significant than it seems. He has the pedigree of playing most of his career for Tony LaRussa and Bobby Cox, and he's familiar with the organization.

Amid the rubble, there was some good news. Injuries created big league opportunities for a host of relatively inexperienced position players. Charlie Blackmon, Tyler Colvin, D.J. LeMahieu, Chris Nelson, Jordan Pacheco, Wilin Rosario, Josh Rutledge and Eric Young Jr. got the at-bats to show that they have major league value.

However, the big leagues were a struggle for young starters Tyler Chatwood, Christian Friedrich, Drew Pomeranz and Alex White. In another effort to solve their pitching conundrum, the Rockies hired Mark Wiley to the newly created position of director of pitching operations in October. He's another former special assistant to O'Dowd and will work closely with him to find a way to develop effective pitchers in Colorado.

Four of the Rockies' six U.S.-based affiliates made the playoffs in 2012 as the organization puts three highly unproductive drafts from 2006-08 further in its rear-view mirror.

Closer-in-waiting Rex Brothers and third baseman Nolan Arenado (the system's top prospect) were drafted in 2009, followed by outfielder Kyle Parker, righthander Chad Bettis (its best pitching prospect) and Rutledge in 2010. Lefthander Tyler Anderson and shortstop/third baseman Trevor Story were the top selections in 2011, while 2012 first-rounder David Dahl won Rookie-level Pioneer League MVP honors in his pro debut.

Scouting reports for the Top 10 Prospects (How to subscribe)

Pre-Order the 2013 Prospect Handbook 30 scouting reports on every team