A Few More Rockies Spring Training Observations

Good news, everyone! Today, we have actual Colorado Rockies baseball!

Sure, it’s spring training. I know it doesn’t really mean anything. But life is just better when there’s baseball.

I’ve spent the last week going through video clips the Rockies send out every day. Then, I summarize them for Purple Row. I do this because I learn a lot doing it, and I feel like this is material that would interest readers. But in those notes, I’ve tried to stick with the facts: Here’s what someone said. Period.

In this newsletter, I’d like to editorialize a bit and speculate on what I think some of these statements may suggest. Clearly, it’s too early to know much, but some of the early storylines are beginning to emerge.

Maybe the Rotation Isn’t Set

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.

Not anymore.

When general manager Bill Schmidt addressed media on Tuesday, he was clear that the Rockies are holding a competitive spring training. 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.”

Presumably, then, the odd starter out would move to long relief. (Black commented they were looking for someone in long relief who could throw around 50 pitches.) I could see a presumed starter moving into that role, at least for a bit.

And that brings me to my next point.

Chase Dollander Is for Real

It’s too soon to know if he’ll pitch himself into the rotation. (Look, he hasn’t even thrown in an MLB game yet.) But one thing that comes through in the Rockies press materials is the extent to which they are centering Dollander in their coverage.

For example, the first player interviews in the media kit were with Germán Márquez and Dollander. (Talk about a study in contrasts, a topic for another day.) There was another interview with him after his outing yesterday.

When Dollander is throwing, there’s footage of it in the B-roll.

And he is clearly very comfortable in the spotlight. As he told Thomas Harding yesterday, “I just try and focus on what I need to focus on: Control the controllable, and whatever happens happens.”

One of the things I’ve noticed with the advent of NIL is that college players are very media-savvy, and Dollander is no exception.

For the Rockies, I think, Dollander looks to be the next face of the franchise, and both are leaning into that possiblity.

I assumed he would start the season in Triple-A Albuquerque. I don’t anymore.

Kris Bryant Has His Teammates’ Respect

For Rockies fans, Kris Bryant has become a bit of a punchline. (“How soon until he goes on the IL again?”) However, nothing in player interviews suggests that the case for them, however. (And I realize it’s not like they’re going to criticize a teammate publicly, but you can tell when there’s genuine awe involved.)

Nolan Jones has been clear about his admiration for Bryant, and when Dollander was asked about facing Rockies batters, he did not hesitate: “Kris Bryant.” (There’s footage of that at-bat in the video above.)

Those of us who aren’t Chicago Cubs fans or privy to what happens in the Rockies clubhouse forget, I think, that for a while, Bryant was very, very good — as in MVP-good. That was happening when players like Jones and Dollander were growing up, and, clearly, those memories have stuck.

No one knows what kind of season Bryant will have — and I think to think this is a big year for him — but we do know the Rockies devoted considerable resources to his offseason training.

But whatever happens on the field, Bryant’s iconic status is not lost on his teammates.

The Real Contest Is in the Bullpen

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 got quality stuff.“

They are, Schmidt, going with the best eight reliever, but they have flexibility.

Players without options include Diego Castillo, Tyler Kinley, Justin Lawrence, and Jimmy Herget. The other relievers all have options, and the Rockies intend to use them.

Fans should expect, then, players to move between Albuquerque and Denver.

Probably, Zac Veen and Benny Montgomery Start in the Minors

Bud Black emphasized yesterday of these number-one picks that both needed a year to stay healthy and gain experience. (He went so far as to suggest that Montgomery would start in Double-A Hartford as a center fielder, which would be a problem given the emergence of Cole Carrigg.)

While fans have been told there will be a contest for the third outfield spot, that position seems more likely to go to Jordan Beck (who also experienced injury last season and needs more playing time).

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.

Start Thinking Trade Deadline

I know: That’s six months away, and the Rockies have, historically, been conservative to a fault. But this seems to me a different year.

The Rockies will have to make decisions about Germán Márquez, whose contract ends this season, as well as Austin Gomber, who will become a free agent. Tyler Kinley has a club option for 2026, but a very reasonable contract if he has a successful season out of the bullpen. Scott Alexander and Thairo Estrada are also candidates for trades (assuming Estrada can re-establish his value).

Maybe the Rockies don’t do anything, but maybe they do because by then, they should have a better sense of what they need.

Summing Up

So those are some subjective takes I have based on what we’ve learned since pitchers and catchers reported.

For now, we need to settle in to watch some baseball and see what happens.

Closing Thoughts

And that’s it for this week. (Generally, I send these earlier in the day and include some links, but it’s midterm here, and I’ve just been buried. I’ll do better next week!)

As always, thanks for reading, and feel free to share this with a friend.

Enjoy all the baseball.

Renee

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Rockies Pitch is a newsletter that focuses on Colorado Rockies baseball. Find me on Bluesky at @Renee.Dechert.com.