Rockies promote top prospect Rodgers

The Colorado Rockies have promoted top prospect Brendan Rodgers ahead of their game Friday night against the Philadelphia Phillies, the team announced.

The infielder has played 25 games at second base in Triple-A this season, and he's been versatile while also getting reps at shortstop and third base. Incumbent Rockies shortstop Trevor Story left Wednesday's game after suffering an apparent knee injury. If Story is forced to sit out, that could dictate where Rodgers receives the bulk of his playing time.

The prospect is intriguing because of his bat and eye-popping offensive numbers. Rodgers has excelled this season, batting .356/.421/.644 with nine home runs and 10 doubles in 35 games at Triple-A Albuquerque in the Pacific Coast League.

Rodgers, 22, was selected third overall in the 2015 draft behind Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson and Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman. MLB Pipeline lists him as the No. 10 overall prospect, and he's been ranked as the top player in the Rockies' minor-league system since 2015.

The Rockies' infield, however, has been crowded over the years. Story, Nolan Arenado, Daniel Murphy, Ryan McMahon, Pat Valaika, Garrett Hampson, and Mark Reynolds have all split time at various spots, helping to prolong Rodgers' debut.

When Rodgers gets the call, he'll be the fifth top 10 prospect to graduate to the majors this season, following Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Fernando Tatis Jr., Eloy Jimenez, and Nick Senzel. He'll also become the third highly-touted youngster to reach The Show this week alone after the Milwaukee Brewers brought up second baseman Keston Hiura and the Atlanta Braves promoted Austin Riley.