In four years, Warming Bernabel has gone from a fringe Latin prospect to one of the most intriguing young hitters in the Rockies organization.
Bernabel, 20, was added to the Rockies’ 40-man roster in November as a result of his rapid rise through the lower minor leagues. Now the third baseman is ready to climb through the upper minor leagues as he’s likely to break camp with Double-A Hartford.
A native of Bani, Dominican Republic, Bernabel signed in 2018 for $900,000 as an international free agent. He didn’t stand out in his first pro season in 2019 with the organization’s Dominican Summer League teams, posting a modest .250/.320/.387 slash line with four homers in 55 games. But in his stateside debut in 2019 Bernabel went on a tear for the Rockies’ rookie team in the Arizona Complex League. He posted a 1.197 OPS in 22 ACL games, so it didn’t take him long to earn a call-up to Low-A Fresno.
Rated as Colorado’s No. 8 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline, he turned in a monster 2022 that earned him an MiLB organizational all-star nod. Bernabel slashed .313/.370/.499 with a .869 OPS between Fresno and High-A Spokane, with 14 home runs and 71 RBIs in 91 games.
A converted shortstop, Bernabel is still getting a feel for the intricacies of playing third base but he has the athleticism to grow into a serviceable defensive player.
Offensively, the Rockies hope he can hit for average and power as he matures.
