Top 5 Overall Colorado Rockies Rookies - Your Fantasy Baseball Draft Guide 2009

The Colorado Rockies always make for an interesting team come fantasy baseball draft time; as only the very brave will take on their pitchers, and few are those that are not willing to take a flyer on a Rockies hitter due to the thin air of Coors Field. Here then are the top five Colorado rookie prospects to keep an eye out for in the draft.

Dexter Fowler (OF)

Twenty-two year old Dexter Fowler tore up the Texas League last season hitting .335 with 31 doubles, 9 triples, 9 homers and 20 steals in 108 games. The great year he had earned him a call up to the Rockies, where he did not fair as well. In 26 big league at bats, Fowler got all of 4 hits and scored 3 runs. Still this 6-4, 175 lbs, switch hitting center fielder is worth keeping an eye on, especially since he will be hitting at Coors Field. Take a chance late in the draft on Fowler if you are in a keeper league.

Joe Koshansky (1B)

The 6-4, 225 lbs Koshansky will be backing up Todd Helton this year, and Todd Helton has back problems and saw action in all of 83 games last year; which of course means that Koshansky has a decent shot at getting at bats in Colorado. Last year in a brief 38 at bat stint, Koshansky hit 3 homers and drove in 8 runs for the Rockies. The all or nothing hitter struck out 17 times in the process. Still, it's now or never for Koshansky who has hit 133 homers in five minor league seasons. Anyone taking a chance on Helton this year should take Koshansky as a cheap source of insurance late in the draft. If he gets at bats, a +20 homer season (hitting at Coors) is not out of the question.

Eric Young Jr (2B)

Young is a chip off the old block. With a .292 career batting average and 245 steals in 449 minor leagues games, Young is a good imitation of his father, who stole 465 career bases in the majors and sported a .283 lifetime average. A Texas league All-Star last season, Young might have a chance to stick with the parent club this season. If he does, and if he gets playing time, look for a +25 steal season from him.

Matt Miller (OF)

The twenty-five year old Miller was a hitting machine in the minors last year. A Texas league All-Star along with Fowler and Young, Miller hit .344 at AA Tulsa, and .331 at AAA Colorado. Miller has gap power (45 extra base hits last year), which may turn into homers at Coors field, should the Rockies bring him up. He is worth a gamble, but only if there is a chance he will play in the majors this year.

Corey Wimberly (2B/SS/OF)

Wimberly might be a year or two away from getting a shot at the majors but the 5-8, 180 lbs player out of Alcorn State University is worthy of mention. Wimberly can flat out run and hit. In 354 minor league games, he has hit .312 and collected 181 stolen bases along the way. He won a batting title in the Pioneer league in 2005 (.381) and can play multiple positions. It may be too early to take a chance on him, but file him away as a future sleeper.

Statistical References:

www.minors.baseball-reference.com

www.sports.yahoo.com