Even though he was a second round pick in 2017, Ryan Vilade has often been thought of as a first round pick by Rockies fans since he was the first player taken in that draft by Colorado. Though he was a high school shortstop, most expected the 6’2” righty to move to third base immediately after he signed for $1.425 million. Surprisingly, Vilade stuck at the position through most of his first three professional seasons, seeing time at third base for the first time in a secondary capacity in 2019.
Assigned to High A Lancaster for 2019, Vilade (who turns 21 later this month) was one of the youngest players in the hitter friendly California League — on average 2.