For a draft-and-build organization, the Rockies have proven they know how to identify a bat that can slug at 20th and Blake, from Helton and Tulowitzki, to Arenado, Story and Blackmon.
But when it comes to selecting and developing starting pitchers, success has been much more elusive for Colorado, especially during the tenures of ex-general manager Jeff Bridich and current GM Bill Schmidt, who has long overseen the draft for the franchise.
Hence the importance of this year’s draft, which begins Sunday at 5 p.m. Operating from their spring training headquarters at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Ariz.