Denver Sports Today

Denver Sports News Continuously Updated

Four Takeaways From the Early Stages of Rockies Spring Training

by

Kris Bryant's hopes for a bounceback season are among the early narratives in Rockies spring training.

On February 27, the Colorado Rockies sit at 6-1 in Cactus League action, good for second in the National League and first in the NL West. It is, however, still spring training, and that record means next to nothing. But for a team projected to be a cellar dweller this season, the strong start to spring training by the Rockies has been fun to watch. Several Rockies deserve attention for their performances. Here are four takeaways from the Rockies’ spring training as the first week of play draws to a close.

Early Takeaways from Rockies Spring Training

Chase Dollander Lives up To Billing in First Start

The Rockies’ number two prospect per MLB Pipeline, right-handed pitcher Chase Dollander, is projected to appear in the big leagues this season. With one spring training start under his belt, Dollander has Rockies fans dreaming of the future. Rockies fans have witnessed an injury-plagued rotation the past couple of seasons. So, Dollander being effective immediately is an exciting prospect to think about.

Against the San Francisco Giants on February 24, Dollander showed some of what makes him such an exciting prospect. Besides a solo homer by center fielder Jung Hoo Lee, Dollander was lights out in a start against future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander. Dollander began with a three-pitch strikeout of first baseman Lamonte Wade Jr. and closed out the first with another three-pitch K of third baseman Matt Chapman. Dollander easily took care of the Giants in the second, working around a two-out single.

In one start, Dollander showed all the ingredients the Rockies rotation sorely needs. He pounded the strike zone. His three strikeouts are tied with lefty Austin Gomber for the best by a Rockies pitcher, combined with zero walks. Dollander still has a lot of spring left, and he will no doubt take his lumps at some point. But his first start in spring training could not have gone much better.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Germán Márquez & Antonio Senzatela

Right-handed pitchers Márquez and Senzatela are both crucial members of the Rockies rotation. This is the first season since 2022 that both pitchers are available for the Rockies during spring training. Fans were rightfully holding their breath ahead of both players’ first appearances. Senzatela pitched two successful innings in a 6-1 win against the Milwaukee Brewers on February 23. Márquez pitched two scoreless innings with two strikeouts and two walks in a 14-3 win against the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. Despite the two walks, Márquez showed some very encouraging signs. Two injury-free innings is no small feat after Márquez experienced a stress reaction in his elbow after four innings in a start last July against the New York Mets.

Márquez averaged 95-96 mph on his four-seam fastball, reaching 98, and struck out center fielder Michael A. Taylor and shortstop Colson Montgomery on three pitches. Senzatela was part of a pitching clinic against Milwaukee, as he followed lefty Kyle Freeland’s two scoreless innings with two of his own. You have to take spring training numbers with a grain of salt, but it is always good to see quality pitching. No matter what the stats show, Senzatela and Márquez staying healthy this spring is all that matters. They are off to a good start.

Contrasting Beginnings: Nolan Jones vs. Kris Bryant

Jones and Bryant are the two biggest Rockies to watch when it comes to rebounding from injury-plagued seasons. After a stellar 2023, Jones plummeted in 2024. In 79 games, he hit just .227/.321/.320 and dealt with injuries and inconsistency. Bryant was limited to just 37 games in his most disappointing season yet with the Rockies, which is saying something. There are massive expectations for both to rebound in 2025.

Jones could not have started spring training much worse. In 12 at-bats, he has yet to record a hit and has four strikeouts to just one walk. It’s still very early, but Jones was undoubtedly hoping for a better start. As for Bryant, the Rockies have rightfully been very cautious with him to begin spring training. But in his first action serving as the designated hitter in a 14-3 thrashing of the White Sox on Tuesday, Bryant looked like his old self. He hit a mammoth 462-foot two-run homer in the fourth inning against White Sox right-hander Jairo Iriarte. Like Márquez and Senzatela, it is worth noting that Bryant has now seen game action without getting hurt. In a prove-it season, Bryant started spring training with a bang…literally.

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Yanquiel Fernández and Kyle Karros Are Showing Out Offensively

The Rockies’ No. 4 and 18 prospects have been excellent offensively to this point. Fernández (No. 4) raked from Low-A to Double-A before hitting a wall at Triple-A. In 33 games with Triple-A Albuquerque in 2024, he hit .211/.268/.313 with a 28 to 9 K:BB ratio in 128 at-bats. His start in spring training has been encouraging. In 13 at-bats, he’s hit .385/.467/.538 with two doubles and two RBI. As a prospect with tantalizing power, the Rockies will want to see some home runs from Fernández this spring. But the offensive start for one of the Rockies’ most exciting prospects has been fun to watch.

Karros is projected by MLB Pipeline to be in the minors for another full season. But the Rockies’ potential third baseman of the future is giving fans an early peek at what he can do. In 13 at-bats, Karros has hit .462/.533/.538 with six hits and two RBI. He was also excellent in 2024 with High-A Spokane. His performance to this point in spring training bodes well for another strong year in the minors. In two wins against the Kansas City Royals and White Sox, Karros went 4-for-5 with two RBI and one run. His seven total bases are tied for fifth on the Rockies with Fernández.

 

Photo Credit: © Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

The post Four Takeaways From the Early Stages of Rockies Spring Training appeared first on Last Word On Baseball.