Colorado MLB Draft Recap
June 13, 2016
By John Cackowski
State Director
Colorado finished with 25 prospects drafted with roots to the state. In 2016 6 were drafted from Colorado High Schools, while the other 20 were selected from their current college.
Here’s a recap of the 2016 high school draft class.
Jake Greenwalt, RHP, Windsor High School, 2016
23rd Round - San Fransisco Giants
Our choice for 4A player of the year, the right handed pitcher has a very good year in 2016. In 55 innings pitched Greenwalt had 9 wins and led the Wizards to the 4A Final Four. He posted a 0.89 E.R.A. and had 79 strikeouts while only giving up 28 hits. At 6-foot-1, 170 pounds. Greenwalt has a lanky build and very projectable. One of the best arms in our state in 2016. Starts slightly closed in stance and throws from a 3/4 arm slot from an uphill delivery. Lands square to plate, throws off two-feet, and falls off towards first base. Hides ball well, tough to pick up. Fastball this year lived at 90 mph and touched 92-93 on multiple occassions. Curveball has good tight spin with late 11/5 tilt at 67 mph. Change up has some sink at 74 mph. Both pitches same arm speed as fastball.
Bo Weiss, RHP, Regis Jesuit, 2016
29th Round - New York Yankees
Bo Weiss, son of former player and current Rockies Manager Walt Weiss will have the opportunity to watch the team that drafted him on Tuesday and Wednesday as the Yankees will be in town. Weiss put everything together in 2016 and had a stellar year for the Jesuits. Weiss threw 44 innings and registered 61 strikeouts while only giving up 34 hits. He went 7-1 on the season with a 2.91 ERA. 6-foot-3, 180 pounds. The North Carolina commit was one of the best pitching prospects in the state this year. His fastball consistently lived between 89 and 91 mph touching 92 on multiple occassions. Arm has very loose action from high 3/4 arm slot. Curve fools hitters with late, sharp 12/6 break between 70-73 mph. Change thrown at same arm speed as fastball at 74-75 mph.
Nate Sweeney, RHP/SS, Cherry Creek, 2016
33rd Round - Chicago Cubs
6-foot-4, 185-pound, right-handed pitcher with a very live arm. Delivery is square and smooth with strong effort to the plate throwing off two feet. Will fall off to the 1B side a couple of times. Arm is long and loose and lightning quick. Throws from an over the top arm slot. We have seen Sweeney throw as high as 91. At his size shows a ton of projectability. Curve ball is 68-71 MPH and showed tight rotation with late 11/5 break. Had a good season at the plate hitting .389 with 4 homeruns and 26 RBI's. Pitched 21 innings and registered 32 strikeouts.
Wyatt Featherston, OF, Green Mountain, 2016
34th Round - Colorado Rockies
One of the most athletic outfielders in Colorado the last four years, Featherston saved his best for last hitting .472 with 12 homeruns and 29 RBI's while also stealing 14 bases. Bats and throws right. Has slight open athletic stance. Has a ton's of leg drive. He did not have a good day at the plate but Brown shut down the entire team. Was PBR All-Colorado as a sophomore. Ran a 4.2 home to first on ground ball to 3rd. Shows confidence, swag, and advanced skill in the outfield. Cut off ball in left center that should have been a double and threw runner out at second. Has started since freshman year.
Quin Cotton, OF, Regis Jesuit, 2016
38th Round - Colorado Rockies
Another one of the top outfielders in our state the last 4 years. Cotton started 3 years at Regis Jesuit. Was one of the toughest outs in the state this year hitting .514 with 8 doubles, 4 triples, and 3 homeruns. Has above average bat speed registering 101 mph bat speed at the Super 60.
A 5-foot-11 bulked up his senior year. Ran a 7 flat laser timed 60 at the Super 60, but we once had at 6.8 his junior year. Displays quick hands and level path through the ball. Also showcases a good arm at 85 mph from the outfield.
Cuba Bess, 1B, Fruita Monument, 2016
39th Round - Colorado Rockies
Bats left throws right. Big powerful player. Stance is in a slight crouch, and open. Bat path is slightly uphill with advanced bat speed. Very strong lower half. Hit a moonshot over 400 feet off a left-handed change-up which was only 1 of 2 hits Fruita had in game. Stance is in a slight crouch, and open. Bath path is slightly uphill. Was surprised to see it was his first homerun of the year considering as a junior he hit 4 his junior year. However he still hit .507 this year with 11 doubles and 19 RBI's (Had 40 RBI's as a junior, so he was obviously pitched around a lot).
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