Doyle has center field locked down, but the corners are less certain.
The Colorado Rockies are heading into the 2025 campaign with multiple question marks in the cavernous Coors Field outfield. They appear to have found their franchise center fielder in Brenton Doyle, but things are far less certain when it comes to the corner outfield spots.
There are incumbents for the outfield as the 2025 season starts, but with multiple prospects banging on the door and other depth options in camp, the outfield could look very different in a few months’ time.
The Starters
For the second straight year, the Rockies enter the season with an established starter patrolling center field. Brenton Doyle seized the starting job partway through 2023 and never looked back after demonstrating his sterling defensive skills in one of baseball’s most difficult outfields.
After working hard to make mechanical adjustments, Brenton Doyle took a tremendous leap forward as a player in 2024. He hit .260/.317/.446 as the Rockies’ starting center fielder, and his increase in wRC+ made him one of the league’s most improved hitters last season. He also accomplished the first 20/20 season for a Rockies’ center fielder.
In addition to his improved hitting, Doyle remained a fantastic defender at his position. His 11.4 Ultimate Zone Rating was the best among all MLB center fielders and the second-best of all position players. His 16 Outs Above Average, 14 Defensive Runs Saved, and fearless ability to make spectacular plays earned Doyle his second straight Gold Glove award.
Doyle is the first Rockies player since Nolan Arenado in 2019 and 2020 to win back-to-back Gold Gloves, and the Rockies have had internal discussions this winter about rewarding him for it with a long-term extension.
The incumbent for left field is Nolan Jones, who looks to bounce back after a difficult 2024 season. Jones started last year looking just not quite right compared the Nolan Jones that took fourth place in 2023 for National League Rookie of the Year voting. He dealt with poor performance—hitting .227/.321/.320 with just three home runs and five stolen bases—in addition to back and knee injuries that sidelined him as well as mental pressure to perform. He also dealt with an off-the-field scare when his infant daughter encountered health issues.
Jones is heading into 2025 with a new outlook on baseball and a strong desire to return to form.
“I’m not going tell myself, ‘You have to go out and hit 40 home runs this year,’ ” he said. “That doesn’t work. I’m just going to go out there and be Nolan Jones. That’s the mentality that I’m going to stick with.”
Jones has been off to a slow start this spring, but his bat is starting to pick up.
Veteran Jake Cave ended up as the Rockies’ primary right fielder in 2024. With Cave now overseas with the KBO’s Doosan Bears, the job is Jordan Beck’s to lose.
Beck, a first-round pick out of the University of Tennessee in 2022, was called up early last season when Nolan Jones went to the Injured List. As a result, a player who spent most of his college time in right field spent the bulk of his season in left.
Beck struggled at the plate, hitting .188/.245/.276 with three home runs, 12 RBIs, and a 35.3% strikeout rate. He also missed significant time due to injury after suffering a hand fracture while attempting to make a diving play in the outfield.
However, the player affectionately known as “Mike Honcho” also flashed his five-tool potential that has the Rockies excited for his future.
“The complete player is interesting to us,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “He’s a good defender, can run, has power and we think he can hit for average. The skill set is there. He’s projectable to get better. We like the makeup, the work ethic, the confidence, the poise – the ingredients of a good player.”
Like Jones, Beck is off to a somewhat slow start in spring training. He is currently 6-for-26 at the plate with one home run, four RBIs, a stolen base, and 10 strikeouts to three walks. The right field job may be his to lose, but he has options left and other players breathing down his neck if he doesn’t continue to improve.
The Backups and Depth
Sam Hilliard embraced his role as the fourth outfielder and veteran clubhouse presence after returning to the Rockies last season. With quick legs, a power bat, and solid defense at all outfield positions, he’s a decent option as the Rockies’ fourth outfielder this season. However, he is not without competition this spring.
The Rockies brought in veteran journeyman Nick Martini on a non-roster invite. Martini can play both corners, fill in at designated hitter, and, hypothetically, play first base in a pinch. He is also having one of the better spring trainings on the team, going 7-for-20 with two home runs, four RBIs, and a stolen base.
Sean Bouchard is also competing for a spot in the outfield this spring after a difficult 2024 that saw him sidelined due to injury, and struggling when he was on the field. The 29-year-old showed a strong plate approach in his first two cups of coffee in 2022 and 2023 and is a candidate for the fourth outfield spot.
Kyle Farmer and Owen Miller represent two utility options for the Rockies that can also play in the outfield. Farmer looks to be the team’s super utility man this season, having played every position but center field in his major league career. Miller—currently on a minor league contract and a non-roster invite—has played every position but center field and catcher. However, both Miller and Farmer are far more experienced in the infield.
Greg Jones (no. 28 PuRP) will start the season in Triple-A Albuquerque after being optioned last week. However a call-up at some point this season seems likely. Jones can play all outfield positions, but his speed makes him best suited for center field.
In Case of Emergency, Break Glass
Under no circumstance should the Rockies consider putting the aging and injury-prone Kris Bryant in the outfield. The former MVP with a bad back has missed significant time in his first three seasons since signing a seven-year, $182 million contract due to injury, several of which were sustained while he played in the outfield.
However, the Rockies seem intent on playing him there anyway. When he isn’t the designated hitter, general manager Bill Schmidt and manager Bud Black expect to give Bryant playing time both at first base and in right field. Hopefully those defensive outings will be few and far between.
On the Farm
Prospects Zac Veen (no. 4 PuRP) and Yanquiel Fernández (no. 7 PuRP) are both on the 40-man roster and are the closest to big-league ready. Both are showing this spring that they will jump at the opportunity to earn starting jobs. Veen and Fernández finished the 2024 season in Triple-A Albuquerque and are enjoying successful springs with the big league camp.
The Rockies are still fairly deep for outfield prospects behind Veen and Fernández:
- Double-A Hartford: Benny Montgomery (no. 16 PuRP), Sterlin Thompson (no. 15 PuRP)
- High-A Spokane: Cole Carrigg (no. 10 PuRP), Charlie Condon (no. 2 PuRP)
- Low-A Fresno: Robert Calaz (no. 5 PuRP), Jared Thomas (no. 14 PuRP)
The Rockies have been somewhat logjammed with outfield prospects over the last several seasons, a trend that continues. However, there are lofty expectations for all six of these prospects here when it comes to both staying healthy and playing at a high level. There will also be a heavy focus on Condon. He struggled in his first professional season, though we later learned he was playing through a hand injury. Where he lands in the Rockies’ plans for the future both as a hitter and with what position he might play is a key question going forward.
Closing Thoughts
Brenton Doyle is the one sure thing in the Rockies outfield going into 2025. As long as he stays healthy, he will start at last 140 games in center field and is one of the Rockies’ few potential All-Star candidates.
When it comes to left and right field, things are less set in stone. Nolan Jones and Jordan Beck have the positions… until they don’t. With Yanquiel Fernández and Zac Veen clawing at potential big league debuts, Beck and Jones will need their best to keep the prospects at bay.
One thing is for certain: Nick Martini and Sam Hilliard may be decent fourth outfielder/backup options, but we cannot have another Jake Cave situation in 2025.
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