The Colorado Rockies haven’t given fans much to get excited about in recent years, but that’s starting to change. The team hired Paul DePodesta as president of baseball operations and Josh Byrnes as general manager, signaling a shift in how they’re approaching things.
What makes this interesting is Colorado’s farm system has been quietly building up. Players like Charlie Condon, Chase Dollander, and Brody Brecht are close to making their mark at the big league level.
That said, fans shouldn’t expect miracles this season.
The talent just isn’t there yet to make a serious run, though they should improve on last year’s brutal 61-101 record. With Spring Training underway, most teams have one or two position battles worth watching. Maybe a top prospect pushing for a spot, or competition for the fifth starter role.
The Rockies? They’re dealing with something completely different.
According to Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter, Colorado needs to figure out their entire infield minus shortstop. That’s not a battle – it’s organized chaos.
“There’s casting a wide net, and then there’s whatever the Rockies are doing when it comes to building their 2026 infield. Ezequiel Tovar is locked in at shortstop, but the other three spots are truly wide open. Edouard Julien figures to start somewhere on the right side of the infield, while Kyle Karros showed enough last year to get an extended look at the hot corner. Ryan Ritter has a 20/20 ceiling and veteran Willi Castro can plug in anywhere, though he’s most valuable playing everywhere. With no shortage of options, this battle could rage on until Opening Day rosters are announced.”
Ezequiel Tovar has shortstop locked down after a solid season, but everything else is up for grabs. Edouard Julien will likely land somewhere on the right side, while Kyle Karros earned a longer look at third base with his performance last year.
Then there’s Ryan Ritter, who brings 20/20 potential to the table. Willi Castro adds versatility as someone who can handle multiple positions, though his value comes from that flexibility rather than being locked into one spot.
All things considered, this is a good problem to have. It’s better to sort through multiple options than scramble to fill holes with whatever’s available. The Rockies have six weeks to figure it out, and this competition could stretch right up until Opening Day.
For a franchise that’s struggled to generate buzz, watching all these pieces compete for spots gives fans something to follow. It might not be playoff contention, but it’s progress – and that’s more than Colorado’s had in years.
