SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- During Rockies Spring Training last year, infielder Adael Amador was powered by the buzz that comes with being a high-level prospect. By early June, he would receive the call to the Majors from Double-A Hartford. But Amador dealt with a right oblique strain before his debut. Ten appearances into his Major League career, he went on the 10-day injured list, then back to Hartford and off the prospect radar after entering last year at No. 28 in the MLB Pipeline Top 100. But was the step back the beginning of a giant leap ahead? “It was, overall, just a learning experience to get better,” Amador said through interpreter Edwin Perez. “And more than anything, it helped me mature in a lot of ways.” |
Amador, who returned to Hartford after regaining health and began to flash his potential again toward the end of the season, has plenty of company when it comes to prospects looking to rebound. Like Amador, outfielders Yanquiel Fernandez and Zac Veen had Top 100 histories -- Fernandez was ranked 72nd overall last year, Veen as high as 27th before the 2023 season. Fernandez advanced from Hartford to Triple-A Albuquerque in ‘24, but his production was not enough to hold his Top 100 ranking. Veen’s good start at Hartford ended with a freakish right thumb injury. He recovered to close the season with 21 games at Albuquerque.
Also, 2021 first-round outfielder Benny Montgomery had a solid spring last year and was gaining momentum at Hartford (.283/.313/.500 slash line through 11 games) before he sustained a left (non-throwing) shoulder injury that required season-ending surgery.
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But all four have a chance to turn 2024 into a positive for ‘25. “At some point they’re going to fail up here, and you hope it’s not the first time,” Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt said. “The fact that they’ve had to deal with some adversity is really important. “I go back to Trevor Story when he was at [Class-A Advanced] Modesto [with a .233 average and 183 strikeouts in 2013]. He had a tough season, but he learned from it, and I think it catapulted his career.” |
Here is a look at the four players who hope to slingshot forward in 2025: Amador: A well-meaning but ultimately ill-fated strategy to bulk up for the season didn't work for Amador. The extra muscle did not help his mobility, and trying to carry the bulk may have led to his oblique injury. This time, Amador decided against returning to the Dominican Republic for winter ball. Instead, he spent the offseason in Scottsdale. Part of that time was spent working out with third baseman Ryan McMahon, who counseled Amador on a similar mistake he made as a prospect and invited the 22-year-old to join him on a new speed-based weight-training program. To keep from rushing Amador and 2022 fourth-round pick Ryan Ritter, who had displayed defense and power in the middle infield, the Rockies signed veteran second baseman Thairo Estrada to a one-year contract with a 2026 mutual option in January. Rather than a road block, Amador sees Estrada as “a good addition, because I can stick by him and learn everything.” The switch-hitting Amador finished the Double-A season with a .230 batting average, but he hit a more-representative .256 with a .346 on-base percentage in 51 games after coming off the injured list. Also, Amador’s drop in bulk, from 208 pounds to 200, should help with the footwork adjustment from shortstop to second base. |
Fernandez: Last season saw Fernandez, a prized signing from Cuba, overcome a tough April (.224 average) and climb to .283 with 10 home runs and 46 RBIs at Double-A Hartford. After being promoted to Triple-A Albuquerque in August, he batted .211 with two home runs and seven doubles in 33 games. But a look at Baseball Reference reveals that Fernandez, who turned 22 on Jan. 1, had a grand total of eight plate appearances last season against pitchers who were younger than him. Rockies assistant hitting coach Andy González, who worked with Fernandez in the Puerto Rican Winter League the last two years, and hitting coordinator Nic Wilson rate him an excellent student. Fernandez also frequently questions shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, who is knowledgeable at a young age. A learning spirit and a beaming smile are a help. But Fernandez’s wide shoulders and barrel chest will be major assets as he learns to pick his opportunities for his best swing. “I do, as they always say, look for my pitch,” Fernandez said, with Perez interpreting. “Get my pitch and make sure I make contact. I am always looking to have good at-bats and make an impact on the game.” |
Veen: This is the third Major League camp for Veen, 23, a first-round pick in the 2020 MLB Draft out of Spruce Creek High School in Port Orange, Fla. The first one was quite eventful. Veen brought an aggressive style in the batter’s box and on the bases (8-for-9 in stolen-base attempts) in 2023; however, his left hand was already bothering him, and he would undergo season-ending surgery in June. Last spring, he went 3-for-15, and again ran with abandon (4-for-7). Veen arrives at camp this year looking to play a more grown-up game, saying, “You’ve got to adjust your game.” But Veen, who said that injuries and some family issues (which he says are better) affected him, will not change who he is. He showed up at camp sporting purple hair beneath his purple Rockies Spring Training cap. But keep an eye on Veen's mane, which can change on any given day. “I love and [am] hopefully looking forward to playing in front of the fans in Denver,” Veen said. “I know they embrace you and treat you really well. The idea is to inspire the next generation. I think they’ll really enjoy the hair color.” |
Montgomery: The 22-year-old’s physical growth has been dramatic. Montgomery, from Red Land High School in Lewisberry, Pa., began gaining muscle, and his 6-foot-4 1/2 frame is maintaining the 230 pounds he built up to during his season of injury. Much like Veen, Montgomery’s first step to advancing is staying on the field. Both are likely to see time in all three outfield spots, but Montgomery has the speed and range for center field. The extra muscle has helped his swing, if early batting practice performance carries into games. If Montgomery regains prospect attention, however, he won’t notice. “As for prospect lists, I haven’t looked at one in two years, so I couldn’t tell you,” Montgomery said. “[Being injured] wasn’t good. But in a way, it did help me. I got to learn about myself, learn what I need to do to stay healthy, learn about my mental state.” |
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