Hunter Goodman fought for playing time all season, but might have found something to end the season.
You’re reading the 2024 edition of Ranking the Rockies, where we take a look back at the season had by every player to play for the Rockies in 2024. The purpose of this list is to provide a snapshot of the player in context. The “Ranking” is an organizing principle that’s drawn from Baseball Reference’s WAR (rWAR). It’s not something the staff debated. We’ll begin with the player with the least amount of rWAR and end up with the player with the most.
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No. 49, Hunter Goodman (-0.8 rWAR)
After making his MLB debut in August of last year, Hunter Goodman got his first extended look in the big leagues this year, appearing in 70 games. Goodman started the season with the Albuquerque Isotopes, but was quickly promoted late in April, where he stayed with the Rockies until August 18th. He spent another couple weeks in Triple-A before September’s expanded rosters allowed Goodman to get back on the major league squad.
Although Goodman was on the active roster for much of the season, he was constantly fighting veterans for playing time, both catching and in the outfield. Behind the plate, Elias Díaz and Jacob Stallings were given more opportunities to catch until Díaz was ultimately released. After that, Drew Romo also became another hurdle for playing time behind the plate. Because of this, Bud Black tried putting Goodman in the outfield, DH, and even four games at first base along with catching to try to get Goodman plate appearances. However, the outfield was just as crowded, with Nolan Jones, Jordan Beck, Jake Cave, and Sam Hilliard all playing the corner outfield positions. Goodman ended up playing the most in right field, with 27 appearances there, but ended September with 13 of 15 games as part of the starting battery for the Rockies.
By the end of September, Goodman had essentially won the job as the rookie catcher thanks to a strong final 15 games of the season. During September, Goodman had his highest batting average, five of his 13 home runs, and an OPS+ of 125 (with average being 100). He took advantage of the playing time in his 16 games played that month, second-most games he appeared in this season. This hot streak was capped off by a three-hit, two-homer, and seven-RBI game on September 13th against the Chicago Cubs.
At the plate, Goodman once again had a high strikeout rate — which we saw last year when he first debuted — striking out nearly 30% of the time in 2024. Goodman has the power to make up for the high amount of strikeouts, but he doesn’t walk nearly enough. With only eight free passes in 224 plate appearances, Goodman will need to find a way to get on base more often. On the season, Goodman ended with a slash of .190/.228/.417, as well as a 62 OPS+.
Going forward into next season, Goodman earned a chance to be one of the two catchers on the team next season. If the Rockies decide to go young at the catcher position, Goodman and Romo will be the two catchers on the Opening Day roster. Stallings does have a mutual option for 2025, so the Rockies could decide to bring him back as a solid veteran option too. With that, Goodman’s ability to play multiple positions gives more flexibility in the lineup and may lead to more playing time in 2025.
When he was able to have consistent playing time was when Goodman hit the best. Both time in late May-June and in September, Goodman was in the lineup most days were the stretches he put together the best stats this season. If he is given most opportunities in the lineup, Goodman could break out in 2025. Hunter Goodman turns 25 tomorrow (happy early birthday!), so he will still be one of the younger players on the depth chart at catcher and outfield.
If Goodman can cut down on the strikeouts and improve getting on base through more hits or walks, he can have the opportunity to earn more playing time in 2025 and beyond.
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