Rockies Prospects Shine Amid Tough 2025 Season
The Colorado Rockies endured a historically bad 2025 campaign, losing 119 games and finishing last in the NL West. However, amid the team's struggles, several top prospects emerged as potential long-term building blocks for the future.
Tovar, Goodman Provide Bright Spots
Shortstop Ezequiel Tovar and outfielder Hunter Goodman were two of the Rockies' most promising young players this season. Tovar, the organization's top-ranked prospect, made his MLB debut in August and showed flashes of his plus hit tool and defensive prowess. Despite hitting just .239, the 22-year-old displayed the plate discipline and contact skills that have scouts excited about his future.
Meanwhile, Goodman built on his breakout 2024 campaign at Double-A, earning a promotion to the big leagues in June. The 23-year-old hit .273 with 17 home runs, demonstrating the power potential that made him a second-round pick in 2022. Rockies interim manager Warren Schaeffer praised Goodman's development, saying, "He's really starting to put it all together and show why we're so high on him."
Pitching Prospects Provide Hope
On the mound, the Rockies saw promising outings from several young arms. Right-hander Jaden Hill, the team's first-round selection in 2021, made his MLB debut in September and flashed the mid-90s fastball and wipeout slider that have scouts projecting him as a future frontline starter.
Additionally, 24-year-old Roansy Contreras emerged as a potential rotation piece, posting a 4.18 ERA in 20 starts after being acquired from the Pirates last offseason. Contreras complemented his lively fastball with an improved changeup that helped him miss more bats at the big-league level.
"Jaden and Roansy both showed they can compete at this level," said Schaeffer. "They've got the stuff and the mentality to be a big part of our pitching staff going forward."
Other Standouts
Beyond Tovar, Goodman, Hill, and Contreras, the Rockies saw positive contributions from several other young players. Outfielder Yanquiel Fernández flashed raw power and defensive ability in his MLB debut, while right-hander Ryan Rolison returned from injury to make seven starts late in the year.
Infielder Tyler Freeman, acquired from the Guardians in a trade, hit .292 with a .366 on-base percentage in 60 games. And 2022 first-rounder Chase Dollander impressed at High-A, striking out 130 batters in 104 innings and earning a late-season promotion to Double-A.
"It was a tough year, no doubt, but we saw a lot of guys step up and show they can be part of the solution here," Schaeffer said. "That's really encouraging as we start to build this thing back up."
TL;DR
- Shortstop Ezequiel Tovar and outfielder Hunter Goodman emerged as top prospects for the Rockies in 2025, showcasing their offensive potential at the MLB level.
- Several young pitchers, including Jaden Hill and Roansy Contreras, made promising debuts and provided hope for the team's future rotation.
- Other standouts included infielder Tyler Freeman, outfielder Yanquiel Fernández, and 2022 first-rounder Chase Dollander, who impressed in the minors.
- Despite the Rockies' dismal 119-loss season, the development of these young players gives the organization optimism as it looks to rebuild.