Top pick Rodgers to report to Grand Junction

The Colorado Rockies announced Wednesday that the organization has agreed to terms with shortstop Brendan Rodgers, the Rockies first-round selection (third pick overall) in the recent 2015 First-Year Player Draft.

Rodgers, who will turn 19 on August 9, will begin his professional baseball career with the Grand Junction Rockies and will report to the club Thursday when Grand Junction opens the 2015 Pioneer League season in Idaho Falls.

"I'm going to work out with the team for a few days while I'm out there and then starting [in games] early next week hopefully," Rodgers said Wednesday while meeting the Denver media.

The right-handed hitting shortstop batted .360 with eight home runs and 23 runs batted in and turned 15 double plays for Lake Mary High School (Florida) in 2015.

"It was nerves and anxiety just being anxious to get out there and play, but I'm more than excited to start playing," Rodgers said of signing his first professional contract. "It's what I've wanted to do since I was six, seven years old. The time's finally come, and I'm ready to get out there."

Rodgers will be in uniform when the Grand Junction Rockies open the home season on Monday, June 22, at 7:05pm. Opening Day tickets are on sale at local City Market stores, gjrockies.com and the GJ front office at 1315 North Avenue.