Karros looks to have 3B locked down, but Rockies' roster battles still rage

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Rockies want to make sure that young players receive starting jobs and roster spots because they’re the right ones for the job, not merely the only option. Some competitions are ongoing. But before getting to that, one player is well on the way to stamping his place.

One up
Third baseman Kyle Karros, who hit his second spring homer on Friday, has looked comfortable in his plate appearances against pitchers veteran and young.

The strong spring is the result of Karros, 23, making the most of his time in the Majors after being called up Aug. 8. Karros wore down at the end of the lengthy season -- one that included missed time with a bruised right knee while at Double-A Hartford. But facing a plethora of the game’s top pitchers, in some cases on teams contending for playoff spots, helped him understand what he needed to improve.

“I would say Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow jump out because of the difference in some of their pitches,” Karros said. “They’re putting fastballs up there in the high 90s, then they have a slow breaker or two. The discrepancy was unique.

“But for the most part, every pitch you see in the big leagues, you’ve probably seen at some time or another throughout your career in the Minors. It’s just that they command every single pitch they have, and can do it over and over again. There are way fewer mistakes.”

The Rockies wanted to make sure Karros, who was at the end of just his second full pro season, could hit high-quality pitching.

“The at-bats are going really well, and the power has shown up some, too,” Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer said. “A middle-of-the-field approach is what he does best. He knows it, and he’s been sticking to it.”

The Rockies already know he can handle third base. Karros at the hot corner allows the Rockies to use Willi Castro (currently with Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic) at second, which he fits best on this squad. They also have 2024 Gold Glove Award winner Ezequiel Tovar at shortstop in what could be a solid infield -- a must for a Rockies team that plays in an extreme offensive environment and cannot give opponents extra outs.

Rockies president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta said, “He certainly has been impressive on both sides of the ball. We’re excited that he’s here, and we think he has a chance to have a long and successful career with us.”

Three up for grabs

Tandem catcher: Hunter Goodman is coming off an All-Star Game appearance and a Silver Slugger Award performance. The Rockies are looking at two athletic catchers -- Braxton Fulford, a rookie last season, and non-roster veteran Brett Sullivan, who is off to an outstanding start.

Fulford has put up solid numbers offensively. It could come down to who meshes better with the pitchers as a game manager and receiver. Fulford, whose speed could give him use as a pinch-runner, has Minor League options should the Rockies go with Sullivan.

Starting first baseman: TJ Rumfield has been the best in camp. On Friday, he launched his fourth homer of the spring. Rumfield is showing the ability to hit fastballs and make adjustments throughout games. Rumfield can further impress the club by showing the defense that earned him a Minor League Gold Glove in 2023.

Ideally, there would be a left-right mix, but righty-hitting Blaine Crim is nursing an oblique injury and is not a certainty to be ready for the start of the regular season. Expect the Rockies, who were in the market for a veteran first baseman during the winter, to explore experienced options toward the end of the spring.

There is competition for utility roles, but much of that may be dependent upon how the Rockies fill first base and other roles, and whether they make moves at the end of camp.

Fifth starting pitcher: Second-year righty Chase Dollander’s fastball and secondary pitches are befitting of a pitcher selected ninth overall in 2023. He continues to work on putaway pitches, but he has shown growth in getting his secondary pitches in the strike zone, and dramatic improvement in controlling the running game.

Ryan Feltner, who has experience and a pitch mix that may be the best on the staff, and righty Antonio Senzatela, who is testing his expanded pitch mix with Team Venezuela in the WBC, make this a heated competition that could last until camp’s final days.

While the bullpen is the Rockies’ strength, with plenty of hard-throwing options -- right-handed and left-handed, roster and non-roster -- there is always the possibility the club could begin the year with two or even all three-fifth starter candidates on the team. The multiple desirable relievers could help the Rockies should they look to make trades at camp’s end.