Despite the lack of expectations, there are still plenty of reason for excitement around the 2025 Rockies
Spring training is rapidly approaching with pitchers and catchers reporting on Thursday and the remainder of the squad joining on the 18th.
Like every year, spring training brings excitement to baseball fans and the potential that comes with a new season.
Unfortunately for Colorado Rockies fans, that excitement quickly turns to dread as they are reminded that the team has failed to have a winning record since 2018, and is looking at a possible third-straight 100-loss season.
Despite the lack of expectations for the Rockies by their fans and the media, there are still plenty of reasons to be excited for this year’s team.
Last season, despite the 101 losses, the Rockies did improve by two wins from 2023, and while that may not be a lot, it is a step in the right direction. In 2024, the team fully embraced the youth movement and letting the kids play. This season should be no different, and another step in the rebuilding process should continue again with hopefully more progress.
With that being said, here are four things that Rockies’ fans can look forward to this season.
Chase Dollander’s Debut
Whether he breaks camp with the MLB roster or a midseason call-up remains to be seen, but Chase Dollander (mid-season PuRP no. 1) has a serious chance of making his MLB debut this season. The Rockies’ top pitching prospect got a promotion to Double-A Hartford at the end of July and was able to perform well in nine outings with the Yard Goats.
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Dollander posted a 2.59 ERA over 118 innings between High-A and Double-A levels last season, while also striking out a whopping 169 batters. The former ninth-overall pick will have high expectations going into camp, being one of 23 non-roster invitees to the MLB camp this spring. For Rockies fans, having a top prospect — especially a top pitching prospect — knocking on the door should give some excitement for the season.
A Youth Movement in the Rotation
The Rockies have slowly dedicated playing time to their rising young talent, specifically in their batting lineup with Nolan Jones, Michael Toglia, Jordan Beck, and Hunter Goodman. This upcoming season should be no different, but with the youth movement turning its attention on the pitching rotation.
As mentioned above, Chase Dollander will have a serious chance to earn a promotion to the MLB level, but he won’t be the only prospect knocking on the door this year.
Other startings that could get some starts this year also include Gabriel Hughes (mid-season PuRP no. 13), Carson Palmquist (mid-season PuRP no. 10), and Sean Sullivan (mid-season PuRP no. 7). All four of these starters have impressed on their way up the farm system, which should give Rockies fans excitement to what the rotation can become in the next couple seasons.
Gabriel Hughes might have not be at the top of the Rockies prospects list, mostly due to missing most of last season rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, but Hughes was only drafted in 2022. He made the leap to Double-A Hartford in just one full professional season before his injury. Hughes made his return last season with a few starts in an instructional league and participated in the Arizona Fall League. In six games for Salt River Rafters, Hughes pitched 17.1 IP and had an 8.31 ERA, but did strikeout 14 of the 81 batters he faced. He is expected to start the season in Double-A Hartford, but hopefully can regain his pre-injury form. If he can rebound from the injury, Hughes should be pushing for a late season promotion to Triple-A and maybe even a September call-up.
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Palmquist had a stellar start to season in Double-A Hartford last season, earning a promotion to Triple-A at the beginning of August. In 18 starts with the Yard Goats, the 24-year-old lefty pitched 82 1⁄3 innings with a 3.17 ERA, striking out 113 batters and limiting walks to only 33. Once promoted to Triple-A, in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, Palmquist did have some growing pains in nine starts, having a 1-4 record and a 5.86 ERA. He will likely start the season in Triple-A again to start the season, but could be one of the first call ups to start if an injury or underperformance occurs.
Sullivan had outstanding 2024 season between High-A Spokane and Double-A Hartford. The lefty started 21 games between the two levels pitching 115 1⁄3 innings, earning a 9-2 record and a 2.16 ERA. One of the most important keys to his success last season was his control, surrendering just 15 free passes in those 115 innings. That’s just one walk every 7 2⁄3 innings! Like the other starters mentioned above, Sullivan should get a chance to make MLB starts at some point this season if he continue to progress as he did last season.
Breakout Seasons for Tovar and Doyle
Ezequiel Tovar and Brenton Doyle have the opportunity to fully breakout and become All-Star-level players this season.
Both Tovar and Doyle have already won Gold Gloves at their position — with Doyle winning back-to-back awards in centerfield — and both showed improvement at the plate last season. Both players can take the next step forward and make the top of the Rockies lineup exciting again.
Tovar led the team in home runs last season with 26, increasing his total from 15 in his first full season in 2023. Can this be the season a Rockie hitter can break past the 30 home run threshold? The Rockies haven’t had a 30-home-run season since Nolan Arenado, Trevor Story, and Charlie Blackmon all surpassed that mark in 2019.
Tovar’s power surge was not just limited to home runs, either. In 2024, Tovar led the entire National League in doubles, with 45 two-baggers last season. If advanced numbers are more your style, Tovar increase his OPS+ by 24 points from 79 to 103, his first season above average.
Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images
Doyle’s defense has been his claim to fame since he made his debut, but last season he also took a huge step forward at the plate.
Doyle hit 13 more home runs in 2024 than the season prior and jumped his OPS+ from one of the league’s worse 53 to an above-average 104 last year. Doyle struck out about the same number of times last year as in 2023 (153 to 151), but also over 170 more plate appearances.
Given Doyle’s speed, getting on base is crucial, either by getting more base hits or more walks. Compared to 2023, Doyle improved in both those categories last year, leading to eight more stolen bases. The improved discipline at the plate between striking out less and walking more can help Doyle make another step forward this season.
New City Connect Uniforms
While the play on the field might not be good, at least the players themselves might look snappy.
New uniforms are always something fans can look forward to and get excited. After the announcement that the first edition of the Rockies City Connect jerseys would be retired after the 2024 season, the expectation is for a new jersey to be announced for this upcoming season. The former City Connect jerseys were considered one of the top variations in the league, but their popularity within the Rockies community opinions were split.
Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images
A date of when the new jerseys has yet to be release as well as when the team will first wear the new jerseys, but the license plate jerseys were debuted in June the last time around.
Denver has a rich baseball past that new jerseys can be inspired upon, whether incorporating elements of former minor league teams such as the Denver Bears or Denver Zephyrs, or even going further in the past to celebrate the White Elephants. The powder-blue style has made a recent resurgence amount other teams in the league, so maybe the Rockies could do a “powder purple” variation. The possibilities are endless.
One thing for certain is there will be at least one “5280” or “Mile High” aspect on the new City Connect jerseys, as is tradition in Denver sports.
With baseball right around the corner, this season can has plenty of reasons for Rockies fans to be a little more optimistic for the first time in a long while.
What are you looking forward to most this baseball season? Let us know in the comments!
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