The long-awaited debut of outfielder Zac Veen is finally here. The Colorado Rockies announced the call-up of Veen from Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday. Veen, the No. 8 prospect in the Rockies system, was drafted in the first round of the 2020 Major League Baseball Draft. In a corresponding move, the Rockies announced that outfielder Jordan Beck will be sent down to Triple-A Albuquerque.
#Rockies are calling up OF prospect Zac Veen and optioning OF Jordan Beck to Triple-A @ABQTopes: Major League sources.
— Thomas Harding (@harding_at_mlb) April 7, 2025
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Zac Veen Time
Rockies fans barely had time to be excited about right-handed pitcher Chase Dollander’s debut against the Athletics on Sunday before they heard the Veen news. It is an announcement Rockies fans have been waiting for for a long time. Many fans thought Veen would debut to begin last season, but injuries have disrupted that timeline. Veen played in just 46 games in 2023 due to wrist surgery. He followed that up with just 65 games in 2024 due to thumb and back issues. Dollander is the Rockies’ no. 1 prospect and the potential pitcher of the future for the organization. But Veen’s debut will have equal anticipation.
Rockies fans heard about the immense potential Veen had when he was drafted out of high school. The 6’3″ outfielder has frequented the Rockies’ top ten prospects list since being drafted. The talented outfielder will finally get his opportunity at 6:40 p.m. Mountain time on Tuesday night against the Milwaukee Brewers at Coors Field. The timing makes sense for the Rockies. The off day on Monday will give Veen a day to settle into Colorado after traveling from Albuquerque. The Rockies are also striking while the iron is hot. Veen is coming off a stellar performance for Albuquerque in which he went 5-5 with two doubles, four RBI, and an opposite-field home run.
#Rockies Zac Veen goes 5-for-5 with two doubles, 4 RBI and this opposite field home run for Triple-A Albuquerque. pic.twitter.com/dZjmZz6LYK
— Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) April 6, 2025
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Rockies Are Embracing the Youth Movement
There was frustration among the fan base when the young, rebuilding Rockies did not include Veen on the Opening Day roster. Especially after Veen won the Abby Greer Award, given to the most valuable player for the Rockies in spring training. It was wondered what else Veen could show the organization to prove he was ready. However, in a 2-7 start that has featured an anemic offense outside of a 12-run outburst against the Athletics on Sunday, it is Veen’s time. Beck showed flashes last season in the outfield but suffered a broken left hand, that limited him to just 55 games in his debut season. Beck has struggled to begin this season hitting just .150/.261/.150 with eight Ks and just one RBI over 20 at-bats.
Veen and Dollander were two of the most exciting prospects to watch this spring for Colorado. For an organization that often goes against the grain of the league norms, it seems unbelievable that both will make their debuts in back-to-back games at Coors Field. But it is exactly what the Rockies should be doing. In the later years of a rebuild, it is time to let the young talent develop and prove their worth before the organization is ready to contend again. Let the Kids Play!
Main Photo Credits: Jonah Hinebaugh/The News-Press/USA Today Network-Florida / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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