SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – The first weeks of Rockies camp have seen several tight competitions emerge. This early snapshot has a rookie and a second-year player in the lineup. But with the new front office vowing to make sure players develop properly before truly trusting them as starters, performance will have to hold and improve when seasoned Major League pitchers begin working with regular-season scouting reports.
Here’s a so-far snapshot:
Catcher (2): Hunter Goodman, Braxton Fulford
The Rockies have the possibility of going young with Goodman, an All-Star last year, and Fulford, who debuted and has the unusual quality of top-level speed. Non-roster invitee Brett Sullivan (formerly with the Padres and Pirates) has shown well early with the bat and in working with pitchers, and offers athletic ability.
First baseman (2): TJ Rumfield, Edouard Julien
Rumfield, obtained in a trade with the Yankees, has brought solid slugging in his bid to earn a job as a rookie who has yet to debut. Julien, acquired from the Twins in late January, can play first base or second base. One problem is both bat left, and right-swinging Blaine Crim is nursing an oblique injury. Tyler Freeman, coming off a back injury, could add first base. MLB Pipeline No. 70 prospect Charlie Condon is getting a chance to show how close he is.
Second baseman (1): Willi Castro
Castro, who plays most everywhere, has the experience and grasp of fundamentals to become a leader on this squad.
Shortstop (1): Ezequiel Tovar
A rebound from last year’s injury-prone campaign – after Tovar’s 2024 season suggested budding stardom – is essential for the Rockies to succeed.
Third baseman (1): Kyle Karros
Karros debuted in the Majors last season, and this spring returned stronger and with a better grasp of how he can turn contact into damage. However, with the number of multi-positional players in camp, there are ways to cover the position if Karros needs time at Triple-A Albuquerque.
Outfielders (3): Jordan Beck, Brenton Doyle, Jake McCarthy
The Rockies are set up well to have a rotation with these three plus Mickey Moniak, with one always available to serve as designated hitter. The Rockies need Doyle’s top-notch defense in center at home, but that’s a difficult park – so McCarthy occasionally during homestands and McCarthy and Moniak on the road could give Doyle a break. Beck likely moves from left to right, and McCarthy uses his speed and range in left at Coors Field.
DH (1): Mickey Moniak
After a career year last season, Moniak will be an important lefty bat whether at any of the three outfield positions or as DH. Goodman, Beck, Doyle or any of the aforementioned multi-positional players will DH when Moniak is in the field.
Bench/Utility (2): Tyler Freeman, Ryan Ritter
Freeman played mostly outfield last year, but is a natural infielder. Ritter has been a revelation in the outfield, and his added strength is showing in his bat. But camp is full of folks who shouldn’t be counted out for these spots. Troy Johnston has shown a solid glove at first base and can play the outfield, and non-roster infielders Chad Stevens and Nicky Lopez are in position to push. And don’t count out the Rockies making a late-spring addition of a right-handed bat, especially if Rumfield is the choice at first base.
Starting Pitchers (5): LHP Kyle Freeland, RHP Michael Lorenzen, RHP Tomoyuki Sugano, LHP Jose Quintana, RHP Ryan Feltner
The additions of Lorenzen before Spring Training, and Sugano and Quintana as camp started, changed the face of a youthful rotation. But the future is in right-hander Chase Dollander, who took lumps during a tough debut season in 2025, and righty Tanner Gordon, who pitched as well as anyone in the rotation. Camp has also been about developing some prospects, including lefty Sean Sullivan and righty Gabriel Hughes.
Relief Pitchers (8): RHP Seth Halvorsen, RHP Victor Vodnik, RHP Juan Mejia, RHP Jimmy Herget, RHP Zach Agnos, RHP Antonio Senzatela, LHP Brennan Bernardino, RHP Jaden Hill
Don’t count Senzatela out of the rotation, given his increased pitch mix and the time he’ll get for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. And don’t count out lefty Luis Peralta, who is showing signs of the location that deserted him last season, and a couple of non-roster vets – righty John Brebbia and lefty Parker Mushinski.