This story was excerpted from Thomas Harding’s Rockies Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
New ideas regarding roster construction, Spring Training preparation and in-game strategy abounded in Rockies camp this spring, thanks to a new front office and Warren Schaeffer, who is entering his first year as full-time manager.
How will that enthusiasm translate now that the regular season is beginning?
Turning around a team that is on a club-record run of seven losing seasons -- including three years with 100+ losses after last season’s 43-119 pratfall -- requires clear-eyed goals and patience.
What needs to go right?
Lefty veteran Kyle Freeland, who had a solid performance last season considering how things went for the club, Ryan Feltner, who is back from injury, and the additions of experienced starters Michael Lorenzen, Jose Quintana and Tomoyuki Sugano should no doubt improve a rotation that posted the highest ERA (6.65) since it became a stat in 1913. But production from newcomers is not a given. Many veterans have struggled at taking on the altitude at Coors Field.
The lineup needs shortstop Ezequiel Tovar and center fielder Brenton Doyle to rebound from injuries and disappointment last season. Strong follow-up seasons from All-Star catcher Hunter Goodman and outfielder/designated hitter Mickey Moniak, a return to form for Jake McCarthy (who struggled with the Diamondbacks last year) and the maturation of outfielder Jordan Beck could be the beginning of this offense turning Coors Field into an advantage again.
The bullpen is full of talented arms that Schaeffer wants to use in matchup fashion, rather than a traditional setup-closer format.
However, the success of the Rockies’ season should be measured by how many younger players become keepers, and even leaders. Beck has been through one full season, and third baseman Kyle Karros and first baseman TJ Rumfield are heading into their first full seasons. There may still be growing pains, but by season’s end the Rockies will be better if they show steady production. Also, prospects such as first baseman Charlie Condon (No. 2), center fielder/shortstop Cole Carrigg (No. 6) and pitchers Sean Sullivan (No. 11) and Gabriel Hughes (No. 16) could be peeking into the Majors by the second half.
Great Unknown: RHP Chase Dollander
At the end of camp, Schaeffer announced that Dollander would make the team in the bullpen, although the eventual goal is for him to rise to the front of the rotation. He was the No. 9 overall pick in 2023 for a reason -- Dollander has overpowering stuff, especially his fastball. Routinely able to get to two strikes, the right-hander must find the ability to put hitters away -- not only with a strikeout but with the pitch-count-saving ground ball. To start the season, Dollander will be used for length and in favorable matchups. It’s the first step toward what could be an exciting future.
Team MVP will be ... SS Ezequiel Tovar
A rousing performance in the World Baseball Classic has Tovar primed to shake off an injury-filled 2025 campaign and get back to the high-production offense and Gold Glove defense he showed in 2024. In a Spring Training/WBC sample size, Tovar showed signs that he’s making the distinction between the low-and-away pitch that he can drive to the opposite gap and the one that’s off the plate and he needs to take.
Team Cy Young will be … LHP Kyle Freeland
Heading into his 10th year in a Rockies uniform, Freeland is showing signs of growth. He was consistently solid during the second half of last season, and his strikeouts spiked toward the end. An energized Freeland is expanding his pitch mix. And he is motivated — he is in the last year of his five year, $64.5 million contract, but has a player option for $17 million next year if he reaches 170 innings pitched.
Bold Prediction: 2B Willi Castro will approach his All-Star performance of 2024
Castro became a mainstay with the Twins by showing the ability to start at multiple positions while providing consistent offense as a switch-hitter and running the bases with authority. He went into free agency undervalued because of his .170 batting average in 34 games with the Cubs. However, he was used as a part-time player then; he’s back as a regular with the Rockies.