SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – With the Rockies’ season opener 15 days away, the building of swings and hitting approaches and the experimentation on the mound are only beginning to give way to competitive strategy and scouting reports. So predicting the Rockies’ Opening Day roster is still an exercise in making judgments based on hard-to-trust results.
But it’s all in good fun, although those trying to make a team may beg to differ.
Before digging into the prediction, remember that the Rockies’ 40-man roster is currently full. However, righty pitcher Pierson Ohl has had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow and will be placed on the 60-day injured list, which opens a spot.
Catcher (2): Hunter Goodman, Brett Sullivan
Sullivan, a non-roster candidate, began spring strong and has Major League experience with the Padres and Pirates, which may give him an advantage over Braxton Fulford, who debuted last season. Sullivan had a strong start to the spring, but both are intriguing offensively because they run well. Working with pitchers and defensive work could determine this contest for playing time behind Goodman, a 2025 All-Star.
First baseman (2): TJ Rumfield, Edouard Julien
Rumfield arrived at camp showing that his lengthy Minor League experience is paying off offensively. Julien can play first base or second base. A third lefty hitter, Troy Johnston, plays first base and corner outfield, and is trying to make a run for an Opening Day spot. Blaine Crim, a righty who would balance out the position, is still making sure he recovers from an oblique strain. Righty-hitting No. 2 prospect Charlie Condon (No. 70 overall) is receiving a long look at first base and in the outfield to see how close he is to ready.
Second baseman (1): Willi Castro
The Rockies believe second base is Castro’s best position, but he can be shifted depending on who makes it in other spots. Julien and Tyler Freeman can play the spot, and the Rockies are giving Adael Amador much playing time to determine if he is a serious candidate or needs development time.
Shortstop (1): Ezequiel Tovar
A healthy Tovar is a potential All-Star. Expect Castro to shift to short to give Tovar occasional days off. Non-roster candidate Chad Stevens has turned heads in camp, and could be called upon if something unforeseen happens. Expect switch-hitting No. 6 prospect Cole Carrigg to play shortstop and the outfield at Triple-A Albuquerque, and could push his way into the Majors at some point.
Third baseman (1): Kyle Karros
Offensively and especially defensively, Karros has been starting lineup-worthy despite the team’s concern about depending on players with not much Minor League time. Keep up with a couple of interesting numbers: Through Wednesday, Karros had a 1.444 OPS against pitches 94 mph and above – better than the .878 he managed during last year’s late-season call-up. While there has been an improvement in the approach, his chase rate against breaking balls was 20.9 percent last year and is 20.8 percent this spring. If red flags pop up and the team sends him to Triple-A Albuquerque to correct them, Castro moves to third.
Outfielders (3): Jordan Beck, Brenton Doyle, Jake McCarthy
This group, into which Mickey Moniak also will rotate, seems solid.
Designated hitter (1): Mickey Moniak
Moniak is an important lefty bat. Beck, Doyle, McCarthy or Goodman also could do DH shifts.
Bench/Utility (2): Tyler Freeman, Ryan Ritter
Freeman was developed as an infielder but has played mostly outfield in the Majors. Ritter has played infield his whole career but is adapting to the outfield. But it’s too early to count out Johnston, Stevens and non-roster infielder Nicky Lopez.
Starting Pitchers (5): LHP Kyle Freeland, RHP Michael Lorenzen, RHP Tomoyuki Sugano, LHP Jose Quintana, RHP Ryan Feltner
Feltner is out to show that early poor numbers will pay off in him locking in by the time the season starts. Right-hander Chase Dollander, a rookie last year who could eventually lead this rotation, is getting every chance to grab this job. And don’t sleep on righty Tanner Gordon, who has had some breakthroughs in his pitch grips. A longtime rotation member, righty Antonio Senzatela, is currently counted upon in the bullpen.
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
Rule 5 pick RJ Petit has a right UCL sprain and is a candidate for the 60-day IL, which can open a spot for a non-roster candidate somewhere. Two non-roster pitchers with experience, right-hander John Brebbia and lefty Parker Mushinski, have good arguments for inclusion to open the season.