MLB Notebook: Colorado Rockies Preview

Colorado hasn’t made the playoffs, or even had a winning season, since 2018. They’ve dropped 100-plus games each of the last two years and were the National League’s worst in 2024. Bud Black has been there for all of it—the postseasons of 2017-18, and the recent futility. He’s in dugout again for a ninth season.

Here’s how the Rockies look coming into a new campaign:

POWER

Coors Field has always been great for hitters, and Colorado has several players who produce power. The corner infielders, Michael Toglia and Ryan McMahon are each 20-homer guys. Centerfielder Brenton Doyle hit 23 dingers last year. While leftfielder Nolan Jones had an off-year in ’24, the potential is there—he hit 20 bombs and slugged .542 in 2023.

GETTING ON BASE

A big problem the Rockies have is that all their power hitters, with the exception of Jones, are one-dimensional. You don’t even have the home run hitter who also draws a lot of walks. All of which points to a lineup that will hit a lot of solo shots.

Which brings us to Kris Bryant. The one-time MVP with the Cubs has been a complete disaster since signing with Colorado prior to the 2022 season. Injuries have been such a problem that Bryant has never even played half of a season in Denver. Whether it’s power, getting on base, or both, Bryant has to contribute. At 33-years-old, he shouldn’t be completely washed up.

STARTING PITCHING

The Coors effect has always taken its toll on pitchers and starters who just regularly take their turn and can keep the ERA below 5 are usually acceptable. That description has fit Kyle Freeland for several years. Last season, it also fit Ryan Feltner, who made 30 starts and posted a 4.49 ERA. Austin Gomber’s ERA was 5.20 a year ago, but at least he regularly made his starts.

What Colorado really needs for this season to work out is for German Marquez and Antonio Sentzela to make it back from injuries. Do that, and they at least have a steady starting five, even if the ERAs won’t be flashy.

BULLPEN

I have nothing for you here. There are a slew of young pitchers with no good or bad track records of any note attached to them. Even the question of who will be the closer is still undefined.

OUTLOOK

Betting markets are down on the Rockies, with their win prop number coming in at 59.5, a figure that would lock in a third 100-loss season. I understand the pessimism, especially given the quality of the NL West competition they have to play. When I make my final picks, I may even end up agreeing with the pessimism. But for now, let’s look at opportunity—the lack of a track record in the bullpen could be a positive. If Black can find three or four arms, and if the rotation stays healthy, Colorado might not be awful.