Colorado Rockies news and links for Friday, March 27, 2025
Before the Rockies have even played a game, they are already three games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Here we go again.
Today, at 2:10 p.m. MT, the Rockies will begin their 2025 campaign. With 26 out of 30 MLB teams opening the season on Thursday, and the Dodgers and Cubs having played two games March 18-19 in Tokyo, the Rockies and the Rays are the only ones yet to make their 2025 debuts.
On Thursday, the Rockies released the 26-man Opening Day roster. Only six position players are the same from last year, but the on-paper roster doesn’t seem any stronger this year than it was in 2024. The starting rotation and bullpen could be better, but nothing is guaranteed.
The squad is set. #OpeningDay pic.twitter.com/cHakYL3dzM
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) March 27, 2025
Also on Thursday, Purple Row published its staff predictions and predictions from 35 members of the Purple Row community who completed a pre-season survey. Between both, the general consensus puts the Rockies between 62-63 wins, which is one or two wins better than last year. In other words, we don’t have very high hopes. Nor should we.
On another Opening Day with winning only possibly existing on a distant horizon, there are five things I am hoping to see this season. It may or may not result in an improvement from 2024’s 61-101 record, but it would make the season more enjoyable.
A better Opening Day
You may have blocked this from your memory, but the Rockies lost to the Diamondbacks 16-1 on Opening Day in 2024. Kyle Freeland gave up a two-run homer to Lourdes Gurriel Jr. in the first inning, but Brendan Rodgers and Ryan McMahon hit back-to-back doubles in the second to cut Arizona’s lead to 2-1. Not only would that be the only Colorado run of the game, but Freeland got tagged for seven hits and one walk against nine batters in the third. Freeland left the game with the Rockies trailing 8-1 before Anthony Molina replaced him, only to give up six more hits and a walk. By the time Jalen Beeks came in to get the final out, the score was 15-1.
Freeland was charged with 10 runs in 2 ⅓ and the Rockies fell apart in a way that left them tied for third in the history of Major League Baseball for the largest margin of loss on Opening Day. Freeland is back on the mound for Opening Day this year, and it has to go better, right?
In five appearances in spring training, Freeland went 2-1 with a 6.16 ERA, recording 24 strikeouts and three walks and giving up one homer in 19 innings. For morale, and a better start to Freeland’s ninth year as a Rockie, today has to go better.
Márquez and Senzatela stay healthy
Having combined for 10 starts (five each) over the last two years, it’s been absolutely heartbreaking to see Germán Márquez and Antonio Senzatela battle brutal injuries in 2023 and 2024. Both looked good in spring training with Senzatela really standing out.
Senzatela, who was unable to pitch in spring training the last two seasons, posted a 1.21 ERA in 22 ⅓ innings over six appearances with 19 strikeouts and four walks in Cactus League action. In 15 /2/3 innings over five starts, Márquez struck out 10 with eight walks while recording a 5.74 ERA in his first spring training since 2023. If they can stay healthy, start 20 games each, and each add five more wins than the roster-fillers the Rockies have had in the past two seasons, maybe the Rockies avoid 100 losses.
Fewer strikeouts
In 2024, the Rockies ranked No. 29 out of 30 teams with 1,617 strikeouts, just eight behind Seattle. Ezequiel Tovar recorded the second most strikeouts among AL and NL players with 200. Ryan McMahon was just behind him at No. 6 with 185. Brenton Doyle ranked No. 41 with 153, while Michael Toglia had 147, which tied him for No. 48.
The Rockies have to reduce their tendency to swing at pitches outside of the strike zone and put the ball in play more often to have a chance at winning more games.
More homers
The Rockies combined for 179 homers last season, which ranked No. 15 in MLB and No. 7 in the National League. Playing at Coors Field, the Rockies have to hit more homers. Tovar led the team with 26 homers, Michael Toglia followed with 25, Doyle hit 23 and McMahon added 20. It was nice to have four players in the 20s, and certainly that needs to happen again, but the Rockies need to have two players with 30 or more homers in 2025. If that happens, maybe a little firepower will have returned to Blake Street.
Veen and Dollander arrive
Words can’t describe how excited I am about Zac Veen. His swagger. His speed. His bat flips. I am here for all of it. Sure, he struck out a lot in spring training, but Jordan Beck struck out more. Plus, strikeouts are how the Rockies roll. At least Veen provides a spark that could liven up an anemic offense. I hope we don’t have to wait very long to see his Big League debut.
Chase Dollander provides the same potential on the pitching side, which could bring life to a rotation that has been in desperate survival mode for the last two seasons. The Rockies 2023 first-round draft pick struck out 24 batters in 17 ⅓ innings over six appearances. His 7.13 ERA with 10 walks and five homers leaves room for improvement. He should get the call sometime this season and hopefully deliver on the promise of pitching depth to come.
What are you hoping to see this season? Share in the comments.
For better or for worse, happy Opening Day!
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The Rockies open the season in Florida on Friday before returning to the Mile High City for the home opener on April 4. When that day comes, this article lists events at McGregor Square and more. Some restaurants also have deals, including Kachina Cantina’s purple “Margarita on the Rockies.”
Opening Day FAQ: Rockies vs. Rays | MLB.com
From playing in a Minor League stadium to season and starting lineup previews, Thomas Harding and Adam Berry break down the Rockies-Rays matchup.
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