Progress Update: Colorado Rockies
COLORADO ROCKIES
See Also
SF Giants' Power-Hitting Prospect: Parks Harber's Journey to the Big League CampFrom Rockies Broadcaster to Nonprofit Ambassador: Jerry Schemmel’s Inspiring JourneyRed Sox Outfield Dilemma: Too Much Talent, Not Enough SpotsBlue Jays' Offseason: Meet Samuel Orellana, the New $10K Slugger- 2025 Performance Overview: Achieved a record of 43 wins and 119 losses, placing 5th in the National League West.
- Managerial Leadership: Warren Schaeffer enters his second season with a current record of 36 wins and 86 losses.
- Front Office Leadership: Paul DePodesta takes charge as the president of baseball operations, marking his first season in this role.
FINANCIAL INSIGHTS
- Significant Luxury Tax Impact: Outfielder Kris Bryant is the team's highest luxury tax liability at $26 million.
- Key Returning Players:
- Catcher Hunter Goodman, boasting an impressive fWAR of 3.4,
- Outfielder Jordan Beck with a contribution of 1.3 fWAR,
- Shortstop Ezequiel Tovar who has a fWAR of 0.9.
- Returning Starting Pitchers:
- Left-Handed Pitcher Kyle Freeland leading with an ERA+ of 2.5,
- Tanner Gordon contributing 0.6,
- Right-Handed Pitcher Ryan Feltner at 0.4.
- Top Relievers Returning:
- Right-Handed Pitcher Jimmy Herget at 1.3 fWAR,
- RHP Juan Mejia with 0.7 fWAR,
- RHP Victor Vodnik at 0.5 fWAR.
ROSTER OVERVIEW
- Notable Additions:
- Infielder Willi Castro joins as a free agent,
- Outfielder Jake McCarthy acquired via trade,
- Infielder Edouard Julien also obtained through trade,
- Right-Handed Pitcher Michael Lorenzen signed as a free agent,
- Left-Handed Pitcher Brennan Bernardino joined from a trade,
- Right-Handed Pitcher Keegan Thompson acquired through waivers,
- Catcher Brett Sullivan, along with infielder Nicky Lopez, are expected to contribute from the minors,
- Right-Handed Pitcher John Brebbia is also expected to come from the minors.
- Key Departures:
- Right-Handed Pitcher German Marquez, infielder Thairo Estrada, and left-handed pitcher Austin Gomber have all departed as free agents,
- Other notable losses include infielder Orlando Arcia, Kyle Farmer, catcher Jacob Stallings, first baseman Michael Toglia, and catcher Drew Romo (waivers).
- Additionally, right-handed pitchers Angel Chivilli and Bradley Blalock were traded away.
- Top Prospect Recognition: Infielder Ethan Holliday is ranked 80th among Baseball America's top 100 prospects.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
- The Rockies have made only five playoff appearances in their 33-year history, with the last being in 2018. Coming off their third-worst season since 1900, the franchise is still grappling with how to establish a strong, consistent team in the challenging conditions of Denver's high altitude. There’s hope that a fresh front office can navigate these hurdles. Paul DePodesta, who was previously featured in the book "Moneyball" (though not in the film), is making a return to baseball after a decade spent with the Cleveland Browns, bringing along former Padres GM Josh Byrnes as his top assistant.
- Injuries have plagued outfielder Kris Bryant, restricting him to just 170 games over the past four years following his seven-year, $182 million contract. A degenerative disc condition in his back kept him to a mere 11 games last season. While Bryant stated he intends to continue playing, it appears that the Rockies are planning for 2026 without him as a key player.
- In spite of Bryant's absence, the Rockies are confident in their ability to develop hitters. For example, catcher Hunter Goodman unexpectedly emerged as a powerful hitter last season, smashing 31 home runs and earning a Silver Slugger Award. However, the challenge facing DePodesta is finding reliable pitching; the only starting pitcher from the previous year with an ERA under 6.30 was Kyle Freeland, who struggled with 17 losses, the most in the majors.
Fangraphs projected win total: 65.0 wins.
