SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — One of the most striking things about Rockies spring training this year is the confidence of the young players.
They’re carrying a giant chip on their shoulders.
Given the team’s track record, that’s pretty remarkable. And given that the Rockies are coming off back-to-back 100-loss seasons and the worst offensive performance in franchise history, you’ve got to admire their chutzpah.
Maybe it’s a good sign for the Rockies’ future. Maybe.
Several players — including Colorado’s two stars, center fielder Brenton Doyle and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar — quietly told me the team could surprise people.
Outfield prospect Zac Veen said it loudly and boldly. Veen, the ninth overall pick of the 2020 draft, is still waiting to make his big-league debut. So take Veen’s words with a giant grain of salt.
Veen has seen the dire predictions about the 2025 Rockies. The latest: according to Baseball Prospectus’ PECOTA projections, the Rockies have a 0.0% chance to reach the postseason and predicts that the Rockies will win 55.5 games.
“I think it’s hilarious,” Veen said. “I mean, when we look at each other, we know we are going to be good … pretty soon. I think the team is already good with the guys we already have on it and the (players) we have brought in.
“I think the younger guys just laugh at all of the stuff we read and all of that. I think we all know we are going to be good.”
And Veen wasn’t done.
“I think we have the best and most underrated team in the league,” he said. “I’m a baseball junky and I look at every team and everybody. I can confidently say that there are guys on this team that deserve way more credit than they get.”
First baseman Michael Toglia is also bullish on the Rockies. Never mind that the Rockies’ 179 home runs last season ranked 15th in the majors, and their 1,617 strikeouts were the second-most in the majors and the most in franchise history. Toglia said the Rockies have players who will generate desperately needed power.
“If we are going to win in Denver, I think we need to get back to being the Blake Street Bombers,” Toglia said. “I think we need to do damage, so that when teams come to Coors Field they need to fear our lineup. I think we have the pieces to do that.”
Delusional? False hope?
Or a realistic vision of the team’s future?
Rockies fans would love for the Kid Rox to be right. Owner Dick Monfort is crossing his fingers that the Rockies will turn things around after six consecutive losing seasons.
All signs point to the team improving this season. Their starting pitching, at least on paper, is deeper than it’s been since 2018. The bullpen has firepower and talent, even though it’s untested.
The defense should be golden. Tovar, Doyle and Toglia are terrific fielders, and so is third baseman Ryan McMahon.
But so many things must improve for the Rockies to escape the basement in the tough National League West, let alone post a winning season.
Here’s the most basic must-do list:
• Start winning more on the road. Colorado doesn’t need a winning record on the road, but its .331 winning percentage over the last six seasons has given it no chance of sniffing a winning record.
• Win big at home. The Rockies went 37-42 (.468) at Coors Field in 2024, the fifth-worst home record for a full season in franchise history. It was just the 10th time in franchise history the Rockies finished with a home winning percentage under .500. That has to change.
The Rockies have made the postseason five times in 32 seasons, and their combined home winning percentage during those seasons was .602.
• Cut down on the Ks. The Rockies’ 24.1% strikeout rate over the last six seasons is the highest in the National League.
• Hit more home runs. Colorado’s 960 homers since 2019 ranks eighth in the majors. That’s not nearly good enough given that the Rockies play their home games at Coors Field.
• Pitch much, much better. In the post-humidor era (since 2001), the Rockies had a 4.35 team ERA in four playoff seasons. Over their last six losing seasons, the ERA is 5.37.
The Rockies are improving, and this season’s team should be more exciting. While I applaud Veen’s optimism, enthusiasm and willingness to speak out, they’re just spring training words until the Rockies start winning.
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