With the third overall pick in the draft, the Rockies have selected shortstop Brendan Rodgers from Lake Mary (Fla.) High School. Rodgers was the consensus best high-schooler in the draft and a consensus top five pick among mock drafts. He was heavily linked to the Rockies throughout the draft process, and there was also reported interest from the Astros and Rangers. Some even considered him as a possibility for the Diamondbacks with the first overall pick.
Rodgers is the third shortstop to be selected within the first three picks of the draft, and profiles as a potential long-term replacement for trade candidate Troy Tulowitzki in Colorado. The Rockies have only one shortstop among their top ten prospects, though that player, Rosell Herrera, has the ability to play the outfield as well.
Rodgers, an 18-year-old, has perhaps slipped behind fellow shortstop Dansby Swanson in the eyes of some teams after a subpar season at Lake Mary, hitting .364 with eight home runs in 25 games this spring for the Orlando-area school. However, a strong summer in 2014 has kept his stock high enough to be considered almost a lock as a top-five overall pick.
Rodgers was ranked by both ESPN.com and MLB.com as the top player in the draft class, earning comparisons to current rookie shortstops Addison Russell and Carlos Correa. Scouting reports say he may have the most power of any draft-eligible shortstop since Correa, the No. 1 overall pick in 2012.
The Rarngers are next on the clock with the 4th overall pick.