With the 2019 Minor League Baseball season getting underway, here's a look at where the Rockies' Top 30 prospects are starting the year. We also identify the prospect who just missed the Top 30 list, a player who didn't make the big league Opening Day roster but should make an impact this year, a prospect who is ready to break out in 2019 and the team's best defensive prospect.

1. Brendan Rodgers (MLB No. 10), SS -- Albuquerque Isotopes (AAA)
2. Colton Welker (MLB No. 93), 3B -- Hartford Yard Goats (AA)
3. Garrett Hampson, 2B -- Colorado Rockies (MLB)
4. Peter Lambert, RHP -- Albuquerque Isotopes (AAA)
5. Grant Lavigne, 1B -- Asheville Tourists (A)
6. Ryan Rolison, LHP -- Asheville Tourists (A)
7. Tyler Nevin, 1B -- Hartford Yard Goats (AA)
8. Riley Pint, RHP -- Asheville Tourists (A)
9. Ryan Vilade, SS -- Lancaster JetHawks (A Adv)
10. Sam Hilliard, OF -- Albuquerque Isotopes (AAA)
11. Josh Fuentes, 3B -- Albuquerque Isotopes (AAA) - IL
12. Ryan Castellani, RHP -- Albuquerque Isotopes (AAA)
13. Justin Lawrence, RHP -- Albuquerque Isotopes (AAA)
14. Terrin Vavra, SS -- Asheville Tourists (A)
15. Yonathan Daza, OF -- Albuquerque Isotopes (AAA)
16. Robert Tyler, RHP -- Lancaster JetHawks (A Adv)
17. Ben Bowden, LHP -- Hartford Yard Goats (AA)
18. Reid Humphreys, RHP -- Hartford Yard Goats (AA)
19. Daniel Montano, OF -- Asheville Tourists (A)
20. Jesus Tinoco, RHP -- Albuquerque Isotopes (AAA)
21. Breiling Eusebio, LHP -- Asheville Tourists (A) -- IL
22. Rico Garcia, RHP -- Hartford Yard Goats (AA)
23. Niko Decolati, OF -- Asheville Tourists (A) -- IL
24. Ryan Feltner, RHP -- Asheville Tourists (A)
25. Vince Fernandez, OF -- Hartford Yard Goats (AA)
26. Bret Boswell, 2B -- Hartford Yard Goats (AA)
27. Roberto Ramos, 1B -- Albuquerque Isotopes (AAA)
28. Willie McIver, C -- Asheville Tourists (A)
29. Mike Nikorak, RHP -- Asheville Tourists (A)
30. Brian Mundell, 1B -- Albuquerque Isotopes (AAA)
    Complete list »

Just missed Top 30: Casey Golden, OF
While Golden was a bit old for the South Atlantic League at age 23 in 2018, it’s hard to ignore the 2017 20th-round pick’s 34 homer-24 steal season. The power showed up away from hitter-friendly Asheville as well. The Rockies hope he keeps raking so they can move him more quickly through the system.

On the shelf: Josh Fuentes
Nolan Arenado’s cousin, Josh Fuentes hit his way on the Rockies’ 40-man roster this past offseason and could contribute in Colorado at some point this year. For now, though, the Rockies will have to wait until he comes back from left hamate surgery in late February.

Impact prospect: Brendan Rodgers
Rodgers competed for the second base job in big league camp this spring, but lost out to Ryan McMahon and Garrett Hampson. He’ll bide his time in Triple-A waiting for an opportunity. His bat should have him ready soon and the fact he can play three infield positions has him poised to step in wherever that first opportunity should arise.

Breakout prospect: Grant Lavigne
It wouldn’t surprise anybody if a high school player out of a cold-weather state like New Hampshire took a while to transition to the pro game. But Lavigne, No. 7 on the Top 10 first basemen list, went out and led the Rookie-level Pioneer League in on-base percentage and finished third in OPS. He has the chance to be a plus hitter with plus power and should put up gaudy numbers in hitter-friendly Asheville this year.

Best defensive prospect: Yonathan Daza
Thanks to his plus speed and fine instincts, Daza covers a lot of ground in center field, and he possesses a plus-plus arm that stands out at his position. He's also a career .310 hitter who won the Class A Advanced California League batting title in 2017 with a .341 mark.