Braylen Wimmer’s Versatility Proves To Be Rockies ‘Secret Sauce’

Braylen Wimmer has parlayed his athleticism into versatility, enabling the Rockies to envision him as a valuable utility player.

“He’s going to bounce around quite a bit and just kind of be the manager’s secret sauce where he can play him wherever on any given day,” Rockies assistant farm director Jesse Stender said.

Wimmer played all three outfield positions, third base, shortstop and second base at High-A Spokane. Promoted to Double-A Hartford in mid July, he has played the corner outfield positions, second base and third base.

Wimmer, whose father Chris, played seven seasons in the minors with four organizations, was drafted in the eighth round in 2023 out of South Carolina. He did not play the outfield until this season.

“He’s probably taken to the outfield almost too easily,” Stender said. “The reads. The routes. He looks like a natural out there. He’s got a good arm. He’s not going to play center. But one of the corners is probably going to be his best position.

“But you don’t want to take away the infield, because he can play second, he can play third, he can play short. He’s not going to be an everyday shortstop, but he can handle the position.”

Wimmer hit .302/.376/.503 in 86 games at High-A Spokane with 14 home runs and 26 stolen bases in 27 attempts. At Double-A Hartford, he slashed .307/.371/.426 in 29 games. Wimmer’s strikeout and walk rates have remained steady.

“His pitch-to-pitch adjustment (and) his at-bat to at-bat adjustment are really good,” Stender said. “He understands the way pitchers are trying to get him out. He’s up there with a plan, and he’s thinking along with the pitcher and the catcher and he’s making the adjustments quick.

“I think some of that can mask the swing-and-miss. And it’s not big swing-and-miss. It’s the typical young player—the breaking ball away and then the fastball up.”

ROCKY ROADS

— Shortstop Ethan Holliday, 18, and first baseman Tanner Thach, 21, made their pro debuts at Low-A Fresno, and outfielder Max Belyeu, 21, and third baseman Ethan Hedges, 21, arrived at High-A Spokane. Holliday was the fourth overall pick in this year’s draft from Stillwater (Okla.) High and the son of former Rockies star Matt Holliday and brother of Orioles second baseman Jackson. Thach was taken in the eighth round this year from UNC Wilmington. Belyeu, 21, was a supplemental second-round selection this year from Texas. Hedges was taken in the the third round this year out of USC.

— Roldy Brito, 18, and infielder Wilder Dalis, 19, were promoted from the Arizona Complex League to Low-A Fresno. In the ACL, Brito, who is from the Dominican Republic, hit .368/.445/.555 in 51 games with three home runs, and Dalis, who is from Venezuela, hit .352/.440/.525 in 56 games with three home runs.