Rockies Land RHP Dollander With 9th Selection in First-Year Player Draft
The Rockies have undertaken a never-ending quest for pitching depth.
Whether it’s on the free-agent market, checking out released pitchers. working a trade or, as was evident on Sunday, the annual first-year player draft, the Rockies are looking for arms.
The Rockies had three selections on Day 1 of the three-day draft, and used all three on college pitchers:
First Round 9th Overall Selection
RHP Chase Dollander, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound junior from Tennessee.
The selection of Dollander marked the second consecutive season the Rockies selected a college pitcher with their first pick, ninth overall, for the second year in a row, following three straight years (2019-21) of selecting position players in the first round. Dollander is the eighth right-handed collegiate pitcher all-time to be selected in the first round by the Rockies.
His primary pitch is a high-spin, four-seam fastball that sits in the low 90s that he threw 75% of the time this season. Even though batters expect the pitch, he uses a low release point to create movement in the strike zone. The pitch carried a 36% whiff rate in 2023 as Sullivan had the second best K/9 in the NCAA at 14.3, as well as one of the best WHIPs and opponent batting averages among all Division I pitchers.
The 21-year-old native of Evans, Ga., went 10-0 with a 2.39 ERA with 108 strikeouts through 79.0 innings in 16 games (14 starts) for the Volunteers in 2022, before going 7-6 with a 4.75 ERA and 120 strikeouts in 89.0 innings in 17 starts in 2023. In 2022, Dollander was named the SEC Pitcher of the Year, First-Team All-SEC and a First-Team All-American by Collegiate Baseball, NCBWA, D1Baseball.com and Perfect Game. Dollander was also named to the SEC All-Tournament Team and was a NCBWA Dick Howser Trophy Semifinalist in 2022.
Dollander played his first collegiate season at Georgia Southern, posting a 4-3 record with a 4.04 ERA (49.0 IP, 22 ER) in 12 games (11 starts). Through his collegiate career (2021-23), the right-hander went 21-9 overall with a 3.73 ERA (217.0 IP, 90 ER), 71 walks and 292 strikeouts.
Second Round, 46th Overall Selection
LHP Sean Sullivan, a 6-foor-4 junior from Wake Forrest.
Sullivan seems best fitted for a bullpen-role. He has a low release point that fits better in a relief pitcher role than starting pitcher. After spending his freshman season at Northwestern, Sullivan made the move to Wake Forest, which plays a more challenge schedule in the Southeast Conference. He has a low released point that has scouts feeling he would be best served in a bullpen role.
Sullivan also throws a slider that sits mid-to-upper 70s and a changeup as his breaking pitches. He has a quick and repeatable—if unconventional—delivery. Sullivan made 10 starts through 17 appearances for the Demon Deacons after transferring from Northwestern. He posted a 2.45 ERA in 2023 with 111 strikeouts to just 21 walks in 69 2⁄3 innings with Wake Forrest.
From his scouting report:
“Dollander's devastating arsenal begins with a 95-97 mph fastball that peaks at 99 and produces elite swing-and-miss rates with its combination of velocity and carry. His best secondary pitch is a tight slider that parks in the mid-80s and reaches 91 mph, and it can be a well-above-average offering with sweep at its best. He also has a bigger mid-70s curveball and a fading upper-80s changeup, both of which can be solid pitches but aren't as consistent as his primary weapons.”
Competitive Balance Round B Pick, 65th overall
Versatile Cole Carrigg, junior from San Diego State
A catcher in high school, Carrigg has been used primarily at right field, shortstop and catcher at San Diego State, but has spent time on the mound, as well. He has a live arm, hitting 100 miles per hour not only in mound appearances, but in his throws from shortstop and right field.
He caught the Rockies interest with his efforts off the mound, where he showed a consistent ability to hit 100 miles per hour. He, however, also show ability to play right field, shortstop and catcher at San Diego State.
The draft continues on Monday with rounds 3-10 beginning at 12 p.m., Mountain Time, and will wrap up on Wednesday. The draft will take Tuesday off for the All-Star Game, which, like the draft, is being held in Seattle.