The Rockies concluded the 2023 MLB Draft on Tuesday with picks in Rounds 11 through 20. Colorado’s focus for the draft was re-stocking pitching prospects, as the Rockies took a college arm with 13 of its 21 total picks.
Rockies draft preview: Colorado’s options at No. 9 overall as pitching-needy club enters critical weekend
Day 2 Recap: Rockies continue to add arms on Day 2 of draft, selecting college pitchers with five of eight picks
Day 3 Picks
Round 11, No. 322 — Washington LHP Stu Flesland III
The Rockies took college pitchers with seven of their first 11 picks over the first couple days of the draft, and continued that trend to begin Day 3 by taking the 6-foot-5 southpaw. Flesland was 7-2 with a 4.12 ERA in 16 starts this spring; a projectable mid-rotation starter.
Round 12, No. 352 — Dallas Baptist LHP Bryson Hammer
After starting at Clemson, Hammer transferred to Catawba College and then DBU, where he made 14 appearances (eight starts) and posted a 5.16 ERA. He’s another high-strikeout guy: He had 48 Ks in 45 innings this year, and 116 Ks in 66 innings at Catawba College.
Round 13, No. 382 — Tennessee-Martin OF Caleb Hobson
Hobson was a two-year standout at Northwest Mississippi Community College before transferring to UTM, where he hit .318 in 56 games this spring. There’s some sneaky power in his swing (six homers) and he has undeniable speed, as he racked up 36 steals in 2023.
Round 14, No. 412 — Tennessee Tech RHP Hunter Mann
The 6-foot-7 Mann spent his first two seasons at Columbia State Community College before landing at Tennessee Tech, where he posted a 6.17 ERA in 18 games (13 starts). Continuing with the trend of this draft, Mann has starting experience and a high K rate (91 this year).
Round 15, No. 442 — UCLA C Darius Perry
A two-year starter at UCLA, Perry made the Pac-12 all-conference team in consecutive years and is a plus defender. He has a strong arm (he threw out a Pac-12 best 42% of runners in 2023) and slashed .278/.385/.361 over three seasons with the Bruins.
Round 16, No. 472 — East Tennessee State LHP Austin Emener
Emener started his career at University of North Alabama before landing at ETSU. The southpaw had a 5.40 ERA in 15 games (eight starts) with 62 strikeouts and 40 walks. He’s capable of racking up Ks, but will need to hone his command in the minors.
Round 17, No. 502 — Kent State 1B Aidan Longwell
A two-year starter at first base for the Golden Flashes, Longwell also pitched with a 1.45 ERA in five games (four starts). But he forecasts as a hitter with gap power in the pros, as Longwell batted .409 this year with 10 homers, 23 doubles, 75 RBIs and a .657 slugging.
Round 18, No. 532 — International Baseball Academy (Puerto Rico) RHP Yanzel Correa
Correa’s the first and only high school player taken by Colorado in this year’s draft, though he’s more of an international prospect than a traditional prep pick. He features a projectable 6-foot-4 frame with a fastball that runs in the low-90s, plus a mid-70s breaking ball.
Round 19, No. 562 — Colorado Mesa LHP Kannon Handy
The Utah native threw a no-hitter against Mines in 2022 while posting a 4.47 ERA; he had a 5.57 ERA this year in 15 games (14 starts) but despite that high number he has a projectable 6-foot-3 frame. There’s some K in his delivery, too: 263 in college.
Round 20, No. 592 — Herkimer County RHP Troy Butler
Butler had a 4.84 ERA in 11 games this year for Herkimer, helping lead the Generals to the Division III World Series. The 6-foot-2 Butler has a compact and repeatable delivery with a fastball in the mid-90s. Prior to the draft, he committed to North Carolina-Charlotte.
Local players selected
A look at the seven locals picked on Day 3 after Eaton shortstop Walker Martin was the only Colorado player selected on Day 1 (52nd overall by the Giants) and five locals were drafted on Day 2.
Texas A&M 1B Jack Moss (Cherry Creek) — Reds, Round 11, No. 318
After emerging as a freshman at Arizona State, Moss transfer to College Station, where he continued to establish himself as one of college baseball’s best hitters. In 112 Division I games, Moss batted .351 with 27 doubles, 12 homers and a .407 on-base percentage.
Dallas Baptist LHP Brady Rose (Standley Lake) — Yankees, Round 12, No. 372
The first Colorado pitcher off the board on Day 3, Rose pitched two years at McLennan College before transferring to DBU. The reliever had a 4.15 ERA in 2022 and then a 2.93 ERA with 74 strikeouts across 23 appearances in 2023, significantly boosting his draft stock.
San Jacinto College RHP Cale Lansville (ThunderRidge) — Giants, Round 14, No. 420
Lansville began his career at LSU before undergoing shoulder surgery and then heading the JuCo route in search of more innings. For San Jacinto this year he was 5-3 in 15 games (14 starts) with a 3.62 ERA. Prior to the draft, he committed to Florida State.
Air Force 1B Sam Kulasingam — Blue Jays, Round 17, No. 514
The North Carolina native and two-time Mountain West Player of the Year is coming off one of the best seasons in Air Force history, slashing .426/.537/.655. In 2021, he set the program record with 109 hits, batting .411. He projects as a third baseman/corner outfielder.
Hawaii LHP Harry Gustin (Smoky Hill) — Padres, Round 18, No. 551
A draft-eligible sophomore, Gustin pitched 17 1/3 innings as a freshman before emerging as the Rainbow Warriors’ Friday night starter this spring. Gustin had a 3.14 ERA and team-leading 79 Ks in 2023 as he saw his draft stock skyrocket.
Golden RHP Laif Palmer — Rangers, Round 20, No. 591
The Demons’ ace is the most projectable arm in this year’s crop of Colorado pitchers, as he went 9-0 with a 1.86 ERA in 12 starts while helping lead Golden to the Class 4A title game. The Oregon State pledge features a mid-90s fastball, plus a slider and changeup.
Douglas County RHP Max Stanley — Rays, Round 20, No. 603
Stanley is a premier high school talent with a mid-90s fastball and above-grade offspeed. That didn’t necessarily show up this spring, when he scuffled to a 3.65 ERA in 10 starts. The BYU commit had 67 Ks to 33 walks, so there’s room for improvement.
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