Colorado Rockies news and links for Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Let’s start with a caveat: Spring training games mean nothing.
Still, it’s great to have baseball back and ponder the possibilities.
I spent the last 10 days going through video clips the Colorado Rockies sent out every day. In those notes, I’ve tried not to editorialize: Here’s what someone said. Period.
But we’ve got five spring training games in the can (the Rockies are 3-2), and some early storylines are beginning to emerge that merit attention.
Maybe the rotation isn’t set?
Since last season, I’ve operated under the assumption that the starting rotation is a done deal: Ryan Feltner, Kyle Freeland, Austin Gomber, Germán Márquez, and Antonio Senzatela. All that remained to be seen was the order.
Now, I’m not so sure.
Last Tuesday when general manager Bill Schmidt addressed media, he emphasized that the Rockies spring training is competitive. Plus, he said this:
“Where we’re at, we need competition. And our guys know it. They’ve been told that. So it’s no secret. And the veteran guys, you could ask Kyle Freeland and Austin Gomber — I talked to those guys back in December. If one of the young guys is ready. we’re not afraid to go with him.”
I believe him.
Presumably, the odd starter out would move to long relief, at lest for a bit. (Black in a separate conversation that they were looking for a long reliever who could throw around 50 pitches.)
Look, Chase Dollander is for real. We’ve known it for a while, and yesterday, we got our first real look. He struck out three of eight batters, including the first MLB hitter he faced.
Sure, he game up a home run, but the stuff is there, and if he’s not ready, he’s certainly close.
Could he earn a starting spot in the rotation out of camp? I’ve been skeptical, but I’m not anymore.
The real contest is in the bullpen
It’s not just the rotation: There’s competition in the bullpen, too.
Bud Black has repeatedly pointed to the bullpen depth and flexibility the Rockies now have. Schmidt elaborated on that a bit more:
“The difference, I think, from last year is we have guys who have options in our bullpen, whereas we got boxed a little bit last year, not having versatility when guys had to go down or we had to keep somebody. Now, we do have the versatility, because I think there’s a lot of talented kids might not have the experience yet, but they’ve got quality stuff“
According to Schmidt, the Rockies will go with the best eight relievers, but they aLos intend to use that flexibility.
Players without options include Diego Castillo, Tyler Kinley, Justin Lawrence, and Jimmy Herget. All other relievers have options.
Which relievers will break camp with the Rockies? We don’t know bet, but regardless of how that contest shakes out, we should expect to see players moving between Albuquerque and Denver.
Maybe Zac Veen and Benny Montgomery start in the minors — but maybe not?
Last week, Black emphasized that Zac Veen and Benny Montgomery (No. 16 PuRP) need to show they can stay healthy while gaining experience. (He went so far as to suggest that Montgomery would start in Double-A Hartford as a center fielder, which might present a problem given the emergence of Cole Carrigg (No. 10 PuRP), who has clearly mastered High-A.)
While fans have been told there will be a contest for the third outfield spot, that position initially seemed likely to go to Jordan Beck (who also experienced injury last season and needs more playing time).
But maybe not. Both Veen and Hilliard have been good (granted, in limited appearances).
Plus, there’s Veen’s batflip, which cannot be shared too often.
I assume the outfield starters will be Nolan Jones, Brenton Doyle, and Jordan Beck with Kris Bryant, Sam Hilliard, and (occasionally) Kyle Farmer playing backup.
But maybe Veen or Montgomery make a name for themselves in spring training. (I’d lean toward Veen on this front given that he’s got a year on Montgomery. As I’m writing this, Veen has a double and single this afternoon. If he just keeps hitting, he may force his way onto the roster.)
At any rate, perhaps “Outfielder Wars” are the new “Catcher Wars” because there are big decisions to be made on that front.
The kids are fun — really fun
If you’re reading this, you’re probably enough of a Rockies fan that this comes as no surprise to you since you’ve followed these prospects since they were drafted.
We got a taste of this at Rockies Fest, but spring training is making it clear: Some of those young players are very close to making their MLB debut.
In addition to Dollander, Veen, and Montgomery, don’t overlook Yanquiel Fernández (No. 7 PuRP) or pitchers Carson Palmquist (No. 9 PuRP), Sean Sullivan (No. 8 PuRP), and Zach Agnos (No. 23 PuRP).
For years, those of us on this site have written about the Rockies’ lack of an identity. (See here and here, for example.) The kids seem poised to change all that. No one knows what that looks like, but between Dollander’s poise and Veen’s purple-haired energy, the future is beginning to emerge.
Start thinking trade deadline
I know: It’s six months away, and the Rockies have, historically, been conservative to a fault when the deadline arrives. But this seems to me a different year.
The second batch of videos I got from the Rockies last week looked like this — and I can’t stop thinking about it.
Colorado Rockies
Germán Márquez was a key part of the Rockies last playoff team, and there next to him is Dollander, who will be essential to the Rockies’ next window of contention. (Keep in mind, too, Márquez is not yet 30.)
Still, when July rolls around, the Rockies will have to make decisions about Germán Márquez, whose contract ends this season, as well as soon-to-be free agent Austin Gomber.
Tyler Kinley has a club option for 2026 in addition to a very reasonable contract, assuming he has a successful 2025 season out of the bullpen.
Offseason signings Scott Alexander and Thairo Estrada are also candidates for trades (assuming Estrada can re-establish his value).
And don’t forget all those outfielders.
The Rockies may be very active when the dog days of summer arrive.
Closing thoughts
It’s early, so anything could happen, but this seems to me a different year for the Colorado Rockies. No, I don’t think they’re making a playoff run, but I also think they’re going to be better than the early projections suggest.
And I think we’re going to see a lot of players at Coors next season.
If you’re a longtime fan, it may be a pretty terrific year, whatever the final win-loss tally.
★ ★ ★
While it’s good Kris Bryant is healthy after a successful offseason, there’s a certain sense of foreboding in his comments to Patrick Saunders. “I’m feeling good,” Bryant said. “There are days when (my back feels) a little cranky, but that’s a good thing for me because I know every day is not going to feel perfect.” Hopefully, this season will see Bryant as a regular fixture in the lineup.
One dark horse candidate to make each Opening Day roster | MLB.com
For the Rockies, that candidate is relief pitcher Diego Castillo. We haven’t spent much time discussing what Castillo would bring to the bullpen, but perhaps we should.
★ ★ ★
Please keep in mind our Purple Row Community Guidelines when you’re commenting. Thanks!