I swear that ZiPS isn’t intentionally trolling with Ian Desmond as one of Ezequiel Tovar’s top three offensive comps. Desmond really was a valuable offensive player for a good four- to five-year period, and Tovar is the better defensive player. ZiPS also expects center fielder Brenton Doyle to have somewhat of a bounceback season. Catcher Hunter Goodman is a real hitter, and ZiPS is kind of taken with his tandem-mate, Braxton Fulford. Completing the group up the middle is Adael Amador. ZiPS is a great deal less excited about the second baseman, but at least we’re talking about a player who has yet to turn 23 and has cognizable upside.
The rest of the offense is rather bleak. ZiPS isn’t sure about Kyle Karros’s bat, but it does have him as the second-best minor league third baseman defensively over the last two seasons, behind only Ben Williamson. ZiPS sees little upside at the other corners, and I don’t think even the Rockies are holding out much hope for a Kris Bryant comeback.