SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Rockies’ made a logical decision to reassign MLB Pipeline’s No. 25 prospect Chase Dollander, a right-handed pitcher whose development this spring has justified his being the ninth overall pick in the 2023 Draft, to Minor League camp. But it can be logical and jarring at the same time.

“This is the first time that anybody’s ever said, ‘You’re not ready yet,’” Dollander said Saturday. “In my head, obviously, I know my stuff plays. It’s just a matter of controlling the controllables -- execute, focus on that kind of stuff.”

Dollander, 23, was one of three young pitchers -- all of whom demonstrated traits that can help the Rockies this season -- cut from Major League camp on Saturday.

Righty Jaden Hill, who debuted last season and this spring struck out 13 in his final 7 2/3 innings (counting three K’s in the Spring Breakout), was optioned to Triple-A Albuquerque. Non-roster righty Zach Agnos, who struck out eight in 10 1/3 innings (counting Spring Breakout), was reassigned to Minor League camp.

All came to camp with a chance to break with the big club but with the distinct possibility of starting the year in Albuquerque. Now they will pitch for the call as soon as possible.

Dollander, 23, showed an impressive upper 90s fastball and late-breaking curve throughout camp. Inexperience showed when he yielded three homers in his first two starts and walked four while giving up five runs in his third start. But in his last two starts, against the Guardians and Giants, he struck out 10 in 7 2/3 innings, with four hits and four walks.

“I’ve learned what it’s like to pitch in the big leagues, and obviously not give hitters too much credit,” said Dollander, who is scheduled to start Sunday afternoon’s Cactus League game against the Brewers. “My stuff plays, it’s going to play and it’s going to keep playing. I’m just going to continuously get better.”

Hill, 25, entered Friday’s 4-3 victory over the Angels with a runner at third and struck out Kyren Paris on three straight hard sliders – a pitch that has come along quickly this spring. Hill has made rapid development since becoming a reliever in the Arizona Fall League in 2023.

“He’s getting close to checking off all those boxes,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “We’re looking for him controlling that fastball, getting it to his arm side and into righties and away from lefties consistently. He threw three really good sliders for the strikeout to end the inning. The changeup has to come into play, too – he’s got a good changeup.

“He’s in a really good spot.”

Agnos, 24, a 10th-round pick in 2022, put himself on the Major League radar last season by posting a combined 1.38 ERA over 45 outings at High-A Spokane and Double-A Hartford. The lengthy stay in Major League camp taught him to “be smart with your misses.” It also built confidence.

“I know I can actually compete with these guys,” Agnos said. “That’s the question that a lot of Minor Leaguers, like myself, struggle with. ‘Sure, I throw well in High-A and Double-A but how’s this going to translate to the big leagues?’ I got some good innings, like early in games against some [starting lineup] hitters, and that’s the biggest takeaway. I can compete, and I’m looking forward to doing it.”