Rosell Herrera

On the heels of a power surge a season earlier at Low-A Asheville, Herrera was viewed as the Rockies’ top middle infield prospect entering 2014. He was expected to remain productive upon moving to the hitter-friendly California League, but a wrist injury largely dashed those plans, as the 22-year-old slashed a disappointing .244/.302/.335 while playing just 72 games for High-A Modesto. In all likelihood, the ailment bears some culpability for the decline in Herrera’s slugging percentage, so with better health, there’s reason to think the toolsy, switch-hitting Dominican can improve his numbers. Along with rebounding from the porous offensive showing, Herrera will also be tasked with changing positions in a likely repeat season with Modesto. The presence of Troy Tulowitzki in the majors and a bumper crop of infielders in the minors prompted the Rockies to move Herrera to center field during their fall instructional camp. Herrera’s lively arm and combination of size (6-foot-3, 190 pounds) and above-average speed should make for a relatively smooth transition to the outfield.

While Trevor Story entered the 2013 campaign as the Rockies’ top infield prospect by most counts, it was Herrera who captured most of the attention by season’s end. Despite amassing only nine total homers in 989 plate appearances over his first three seasons in the minors, Herrera busted out with 16 long balls at Low-A Asheville en route to an absurd .343/.419/.515 season battling line. It’s not uncommon for young hitters - especially highly-regarded international ones - to have the kind of breakthrough that Herrera had in his second go-around of the Sally League, but he’ll need to prove himself against higher quality competition before scouts buy into him completely. With Troy Tulowitzki not expected to relocate from shortstop anytime soon, the Rockies will give Herrera plenty of time to develop in the minors. He’ll likely spend the entire 2014 season at High-A Modesto.