Sunday evening, a team of Rockies front-office executives, scouts, trainers, and data analysts will huddle in the 50-seat conference room on the top floor of the team’s Salt River Fields complex in Scottsdale, Ariz.
In that so-called “war room,” the Rockies’ future will be charted. In the theater downstairs, scouts will show player videos and break down other details of potential draft choices. The group has been meeting together at Salt River Fields for the past week.
The Rockies have the fourth overall pick in the first round, giving them a chance to select a player who could, perhaps, become a star. Someone who could, possibly, help turn around the team’s fortunes. Through Monday, the Rockies will choose a total of 21 players over 20 rounds. The first three rounds will be held on Sunday, with rounds four through 20 taking place on Monday.
National baseball draft analysts are in almost universal agreement that, with the fourth overall pick, the Rockies will select Ethan Holliday, the shortstop/third baseman from Stillwater (Okla.) High School. He’s the son of Matt Holliday, the former Rockies All-Star outfielder, and the younger brother of Jackson, who was drafted first overall three years ago and is now the second baseman for the Orioles.
But that’s not a sure thing because one of the three teams ahead of the Rockies — Nationals, Angels and Mariners — could pass on a prime pitcher and scoop up Holliday. Or the Rockies could pass on Holliday.
Of course, Marc Gustafson, Colorado’s longtime senior director of scouting, isn’t about to spill the beans on which players the Rockies will select, but on Wednesday, he did provide The Post with some insights into the team’s process and philosophy in this year’s draft:
DP: I know you’re not going to say if Holliday is ranked No. 1 on your board, but can you comment on his talent and character?
Gustafson: Well, Ethan is definitely at the top of the draft in terms of his talent and the person he is, I will say that. And he’s from a special family, that goes without saying. It’s a wonderful family. And, of course, there are our ties with Matt. However, at the same time, our process will remain unchanged. We don’t control picks one, two or three, and we are going to be ready for pick four, whoever it is.
DP: Who’s involved in the selection process?
Gustafson: The entire amateur scouting department, with the help of the R&D department, led by Brian Jones, the performance-science department, and the medical department, led by ‘Doogie’ (head trainer Keith Dugger) and Dr. (Thomas) Noonan.
We have myself, (vice president and assistant general manager of scouting) Danny Montgomery, and (general manager) Bill Schmidt. And then we have our national cross-checkers, along with our area scouts. Charlie Blackmon (the former All-Star outfielder, now special assistant) joined us for a few days early in the week.
DP: The Rockies’ usual philosophy, at least publicly, is that the team will take the “best player available” with its first-round pick. But this year, given the team’s recent and current struggles, are you looking to fill a specific need?
Gustafson: I will say this. After the winter meetings, when we knew we were going to pick fourth, we identified at least 10, maybe 12 players at the top of our board. We have whittled that down, and we are probably at seven players right now. We are crossing the Ts and dotting all of the Is. But, without a doubt, it’s the talent that rises to the occasion as to who’s the best player available.
Now, there is the understanding that later in the draft, on Day 2, maybe later in Day 2, you are filling needs in the minor league development system.
DP: Considering the Rockies’ record — you’re headed toward your third 100-loss season in a row — how crucial is this pick?
Gustafson: I appreciate the question, but I think every year is crucial. Our focus is 100% on getting this thing right and deciding who’s the best player, who has the best talent, and who has the best makeup in terms of that winning toughness. We are going to get after it like we have every year.”
DP: Because the franchise is in a funk at the major league level, do you have a preference toward picking college players? In other words, will you look for someone from college who might have a more immediate impact than a high school player?
Gustafson: That will not play a factor from the standpoint that when you look at it, every year is different from the aspect of the talent pool available. There are years when the high school talent pool is deeper than maybe it was in a prior year. That talent pool will dictate our focus. We are looking at every angle imaginable.”
DP: When did you start looking at the 2025 draft?
Gustafson: A year ago. We do have reports on players from prior years, but the real focus is to cast a wide net. I would say that the conclusion of last year’s draft is when we shifted our focus and concentrated our operations on this upcoming draft.
DP: Is there an overall strength to this year’s draft, at least regarding the first two rounds?
Gustafson: I think the middle-of-the-diamond talent is strong — that’s a combination of high school and college talent. I think that on the mound, the pitching options are deep. There is some power on the corners, but not as deep as in years past.
DP: You mentioned that you were down to seven players for your top pick. On Sunday, will that list be whittled down even more, and will the debate continue?
Gustafson: We will continue to debate it until the final hour; there is no doubt. Sometimes you might hear, through conversations, what other teams are doing, but if you start listening too much to that, you can box yourself into a corner, and you might make a mistake. Rather than do that and make a mistake, we will keep our options open, making sure we stay fluid. We will have the board set, but we will continue to discuss every scenario imaginable.
DP: What’s involved in putting together that final list? Will you combine the hard, analytical data with the opinions and observations of scouts and cross-checkers, as well as advice from the medical personnel?
Gustafson: Well said. And the (draft) combine was a good chance for us to get to know the players on a personal level.
DP: Does the debate get heated sometimes?
Gustafson: Oh yeah, no doubt. It’s like a family. You can yell and scream, but at the end of the day, it’s a good thing. We could have an environment where everybody is agreeing. We don’t want that. It’s OK to yell and scream, and it’s OK to disagree. But it’s our job to have the how and why right when we make our picks.
Rockies 2025 draft order
First round: No. 4 (overall)
Second round: No. 45
Second round, competitive balance round B: No. 74
Third round: No. 77
Fourth round: No. 107
Fifth round: No. 138
Rounds six through 20: Rockies have the 11th pick of each round
2025 MLB Draft’s Top-10 Players
Following are the top 10 players in this year’s draft, according to multiple mock drafts by national baseball writers:
1. Kade Anderson, LHP, LSU
2. Liam Doyle, LHP, Tennessee
3. Seth Hernandez, RHP, Corona High School (Calif.)
4. Ethan Holliday, 3B/SS, Stillwater High School (Okla.)
5. Eli Willits, SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton High School (Okla.)
6. Aiva Arquette, SS, Oregon State
7. Jaime Arnold, LHP, Florida State
8. Ike Irish, C/OF, Auburn
9. JoJo Parker, SS, Purvis High School (Miss.)
10. Billy Carlson, SS, Corona High School (Calif.)
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