MESA, Ariz. — It was nearly seven years ago, June 17, 2015, to be exact, that 18-year-old Brendan Rodgers received a $5.5 million signing bonus to be the Rockies’ next star shortstop.
Rodgers, the third overall pick in the draft, set a goal of making the majors by age 21. He didn’t make it. Rodgers didn’t debut until May 17, 2019, at age 22 years and 281 days.
And he’s no longer a shortstop. The Rockies heir apparent to Troy Tulowitzki and Trevor Story is not Rodgers, but 20-year-old Ezequiel Tovar, who’s torching the Cactus League this spring.