The Rockies’ opening day, 26-man roster is set after a series of surprising, late decisions.
The most significant move came Sunday when manager Bud Black announced that veteran Nick Martini, 34, made the team while outfield prospect Zac Veen did not. Veen, 23, part of the Rockies’ youth movement, will begin the season at Triple-A Albuquerque.
The Rockies hope Veen will be motivated by the move, accept the challenge to improve several aspects of his game and, eventually, knock down the big-league door. They also want to ensure that he gets at-bats every day.
“He’s showed a lot of positives in this camp and improved from last year,” general manager Bill Schmidt said. “But as I told Zac, it’s about improving his consistency in a number of areas.”
Outfielder Jordan Beck, who struggled mightily early in camp, showed enough power and promise at the end to win a roster spot. The Rockies also kept veteran outfielder Sam Hilliard on the roster, mainly as a pinch-runner and defensive backup. He’s the Rockies’ best option in center field when two-time Gold Glover Brenton Doyle needs a break.
Saturday, Colorado acquired utility player Tyler Freeman from Cleveland for Nolan Jones, who entered spring training penciled in as the Rockies’ starting left field. The Rockies needed depth after starting second baseman Thairo Estrada fractured his right wrist and is out for six to eight weeks.
Here is a look at the club’s final roster decisions:
• Veen had a solid camp, hitting .298 with a .884 OPS, two homers, and nine steals. However, the Rockies brass saw Veen struggle against proven major league pitchers in the Cactus League and also believe he needs to put the ball in play more. Plus, they think he needs more seasoning after two injury-filled minor-league seasons.
“He will go to Triple-A to hone his skills,” manager Bud Black told MLB.com. “Last year in Triple-A, Zac had 90 (plate appearances), and actually Zac only had 270 (plate appearances) in the minor leagues last year.
“Zac hit .220 in Triple-A, and there are still some things he needs to focus on. The strikeout rate was a little high here (19 in 64 plate appearances, 29.7%), facing major league pitchers in Arizona. Zac realizes that there’s probably a little more time needed in the minors before he potentially gets an opportunity. Hopefully, he’ll force that by how he plays.”
• Freeman, 26, will share time at second base with Kyle Farmer until Estrada returns. Both veterans could enable third baseman Ryan McMahon and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar off their feet from time to time. Freeman can also play center if need be.
Freeman had a weak offensive season with the Guardians in 2024, slashing .209/305.321 with seven home runs and 14 doubles in 188 games. The right-handed hitter batted .308 with two home runs in his first 15 Cactus League games.
• Martini entered Sunday slashing .389/.511/.556 with two homers and four RBIs. He’d struck out only six times in 45 plate appearances. He certainly doesn’t have Veen’s upside potential, but the Rockies believe he brings veteran stability to the outfield. Sean Bouchard, Martini and Beck will get the starts in left and center.
“Nick Martini showed very well,” Black said. “He brings an element to our club not unlike what Jake Cave brought last year, as a fan favorite that Jake Cave became. Sean Bouchard had a good spring and Brenton Doyle will man center.
Bouchard hit .370 with a 1.108 OPS, three homers and four doubles.
• Beck has a lot of potential but has yet to fulfill it.
He opened camp with high expectations but struggled with the bat. Only a week ago, he looked bound for Triple-A. But Beck turned it up over the last few games, despite his disappointing .217/.238/.473 slash line.
“Jordan Beck made a little bit of a push here lately with four home runs,” Black said. “He’s playing good defense. He had the experience coming up last year. Unfortunately he broke his hand, but we think he’s ready to make that next step of development.”
• Hilliard has had a lousy camp — there is no getting around that. He entered Sunday slashing .109/.196/.261 with a 49% strikeout rate (25 Ks in 51 plate appearances). But the veteran, left-handed hitter swatted two homers in his last four games, salvaging the final roster spot. He made the team based on his speed and defensive abilities.
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