The Colorado Rockies are calling up one of their top prospects in 22-year old Ryan Vilade (no. 10 PuRP), The Gazette’s Danielle Allentuck first reported. The team has since made the move official: Vilade has had his contract selected and will wear #31 on his uniform when he starts in left field for the Rockies this afternoon.
The Rockies announced today that they have selected the contract of OF Ryan Vilade from Triple-A Albuquerque and have optioned RHP Ryan Feltner to Triple-A. Additionally, LHP Bernardo Flores Jr. has been designated for assignment.
— Rockies Club Information (@RockiesClubInfo) September 18, 2021
Vilade will wear #31.
Vilade, the organizations’ no. 5 prospect per MLB Pipeline, was originally drafted as a shortstop in the second round of the 2017 MLB amateur draft, but has largely been converted to a corner outfielder in the 2021 minor league season. The Rockies didn’t have a first round pick in 2017, but Vilade has been praised as “first round talent” with a plus arm rated at 60 and strong overall scouting grades.
Vilade spent the 2020 season at the Rockies’ alternate training site, and made the jump straight from the Advanced-A Lancaster Jethawks in 2019 to Triple-A Albuquerque in 2021 after a strong spring training. During spring training, Vilade was a prime candidate to break camp with the team, slashing .314/.385/.400 with a double, a triple, and three RBIs in 35 at-bats. With the Isotopes this season, he’s slashed a solid .286/.339/.420 with 27 doubles (second on the team), five triples (third on the team), and seven home runs with 43 RBIs (third best on the active roster). Vilade also played in the All-Star Futures Game this year at Coors Field.
In corresponding roster moves, the Rockies have optioned RHP Ryan Feltner to Triple-A Albuquerque. Feltner started two games for the Rockies following Austin Gomber’s placement on the season ending 60-day IL, and was scheduled to start Sunday’s season finale against the Washington Nationals. In his two starts, Feltner pitched 6 1⁄3 innings with six strikeouts and five walks. He also allowed eight earned runs on nine hits, with three home runs. Per The Athletic’s Nick Groke, skipper Bud Black has stated Jon Gray will start on Sunday.
The Rockies also designated LHP Bernardo Flores Jr. for assignment. Flores Jr. was claimed off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals on July 24th before being placed on the 7-day IL on July 1st. Flores Jr. only played three games in the Rockies organization, including two rehab starts with the ACL Rockies. In his one official appearance with the Albuquerque Isotopes, he pitched 2 1⁄3 innings while giving up six runs (five earned) with four walks and a home run.