Warming

Bernabel

The 21-year-old infielder had been designated for assignment earlier in the week, but he passed through waivers unclaimed as expected and will continue to function as infield depth in the minors for the Rockies. Bernabel hit just .225/.270/.338 with six homers and 28 RBI in 322 plate appearances at Double-A Hartford in 2023.

Bernabel drew some attention in prospect/dynasty circles a couple of years back, but he struggled to the tune of a .608 OPS over 83 games in Double-A last season. He doesn’t turn 22 until June and it wouldn’t be surprising to see another club take a shot on him.

Bernabel was added to Colorado’s 40-man roster back in 2022 and will open the year back in the upper minors. The other notable names here are Kaiser and Wilcox, but that’s pretty much it from the first batch of cuts in Rockies camp.

Bernabel is playing in rehab games in Arizona after missing more than a month, but he should be on his way to rejoining Double-A Hartford soon. The 21-year-old was batting .233/.294/.336 in 33 games before going on the IL.

The quartet will open the regular season in the minors after spending the rest of the spring on the minor league side of camp. Pint just resumed throwing after being shut down for a few weeks due to an oblique strain. He has a chance to make his major league debut sometime this season.

The 20-year-old Bernabel is years away, but the Rockies felt they couldn’t risk someone stashing him on their bench for a year. Bernabel hit .313/.370/.499 between low- and high-A last season. The AFL was more of a struggle, as he went just 6-for-54 with one homer there. He’ll probably need to open 2023 back in high-A.

Bernabel, 20, has homered twice in back-to-back games. That brings his total on the year to 10, and the three-hit game improves his average to .328 with a .927 OPS. He’s one of the most improved prospects in baseball -- at least in terms of stock -- and dynasty managers looking for a third baseman of a future need to take a close look.

The pair of dingers give Bernabel eight on the season. He’s enjoyed an excellent season with the Low-A Grizzlies, and he’s now hitting .322/.396/.500 with the aforementioned homers along with 19 stolen bases over 61 games. Signed for just under a million in 2018, Bernabel has a chance to hit for both average and power at the highest level, and while not the fleetest of foot, he does have enough speed to suggest he could seal double-digit bags. He’s also not an elite defender, but there’s enough here to project him at third base. Bernabel is at least three years away, but if he reaches his upside, he could be a fantasy regular -- particularly when you factor in Coors Field.