Colorado Rockies Top 25 Under 25: No. 19: Yency Almonte

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Welcome to the BSN Denver Colorado Rockies Top 25 Under 25 where we will rank the organization’s best players who will be 25 years-old or younger on Opening Day 2017.

Our parameters for this list are may be different than others it resembles so let us be clear about them:

1. The list was created entirely by the BSN Rockies staff and had no other input from any outside sources.
2. While giving credit for overall (or trade) value, we prioritized an ability to help the MLB club win immediately.
3. In accordance with this, we also prioritized players with fewer question marks but potentially lower ceilings.
4. Statistics were considered on equal level with scouting reports in addition to our own field reporting.

Our observations come through a combination of spending parts of each of the past four (going on five) seasons on the ground on the backfields at spring training and through our regular reporting from Rookie Level Grand Junction, talking to coaches, scouts, and journalists both on and off the record. Of course, countless hours are spent on MiLB.tv and combing over public reports from other credible sources.

No. 19: Yency Almonte, 22 (RHP)

Yency Almonte is found money. He is all reward and no risk. Acquired for a relief pitcher who was on his way out of the organization anyway (Tommy Kanhle) the 22-year-old righty has shown nothing but high-end potential since making his way to the Colorado Rockies.

Splitting time between High-A Modesto and Double-A Hartford in 2016, Almonte pitched over 168 innings with a sub 3.5 ERA while striking out over seven and walking just over three batters per nine innings. Though, it should still be noted that only 30 of those innings were at the higher level and despite lowering his ERA after getting called up –which is unusual — he still doesn’t have a large enough sample size there to draw any dramatic conclusions.

As such, it isn’t outside the realm of possibility that Almonte begins next season repeating Double-A with a chance for an early call up if all is going well. But it wouldn’t be totally shocking to see the Rockies challenge him by starting out in what could be an incredibly strong rotation for Triple-A Albuquerque. By that same token, it also isn’t absurd to suggest he could even make his MLB debut in 2017, though the odds are not in his favor and the most likely path runs through the bullpen.

Wherever he starts or ends up, Almonte stands behind German Marquez and Kyle Freeland in the pitcher power rankings, and — despite him missing most of last season — still stands at best tied with Antonio Senzatela who was widely considered the far superior prospect prior to the 2016 season. It’s arguable that Almonte has passed Senzatela at this point, but the BSN Denver staff still sees more potential in Senza’s arm and a quicker path to the big leagues should he make a full recovery.

At six-foot-three, 205 pounds, Almonte fits the Jeff Bridich mold for pitcher body type, though he doesn’t come with the typical power fastball that often accompanies such a profile. Sitting in the low 90s, he relies on his solid slider and changeup to induce weak contact with just enough swing-and-miss … at least so far.

Having put up pretty poor numbers in the Angels and White Sox systems — and with limited experience above the High-A level — Almonte still has a lot to prove before he jumps into the upper echelon of Rockies prospects. There is a reason he was traded for so little in the first place. On the other hand, should he continue down his current path and truly emerge as a name to contend with Freeland and Senzatela, the acquisition of Yency Almonte could prove to be one of the better value deals of the Jeff Bridich era.