Monday Rockpile: What’s next for the Rockies at third base without Ryan McMahon?

Colorado Rockies news and links for Monday, July 28th, 2025

Fans of the Colorado Rockies were unsure if it would actually happen, but on Friday the Rockies pulled the trigger. Franchise third baseman Ryan McMahon was traded to the New York Yankees for two pitching prospects.

The move should officially kick off a full-scale rebuild of the organization during what has been a historically miserable season.

What it also means is that the Rockies are without a stalwart defender at their hot corner for the first time since 2013 when Nolan Arenado made his big-league debut.

For over a decade, the Rockies have been lucky to have a franchise third baseman locked down.

Arenado was an eight-time Gold Glove Award winner during his time in Colorado while McMahon was a finalist for four straight seasons from 2021-2024—losing twice to Arenado. Both players were also worth positive wins above replacement per Baseball Reference for each season they were a starter for the Rockies.

The closest—and best—third base prospect the Rockies have is Kyle Karros (no. 12 PuRP). Karros was promoted to Triple-A Albuquerque after the All-Star break after putting in strong performances at High-A Spokane in 2024 and Double-A Hartford to start the 2025 season.

A 2023 fifth-round pick, Karros shined with his glove during his collegiate career.

“I fell in love with defense when I went to UCLA,” Karros told Skyler Timmins and Evan Lang. “I give a lot of credit to that program. And I really made the opening day lineup as a freshman because of my glove. So I know how valuable it is.”

Karros has flashed the leather at every level of the Rockies’ farm system. In 2024, he won minor league baseball’s Gold Glove Award for defense at third base.

“I feel like [with] defense, you can go out there and play good defense every single night,” Karros explained.

“Hitting is going to have its ups and downs. It’s just the nature of the game. But if you can go out there and help the team win and impact the game with your glove every single night, then you’re going to be a consistent help to the team. Regardless if it’s a 0-for-3 with a walk night, you’re going to be picking it over a third and helping the team win.”

Karros has found early success in Triple-A, tallying nine hits—including two extra-base hits, a double and a home run—in his first nine games with the Albuquerque Isotopes while striking out eight times to four walks.

He’s also continued to be an important defensive asset.

Although he may make his big league debut later this season, for now Karros is still getting his feet wet at the highest level of the minors. Calling him up now would rush his development, which always comes with risk.

Unfortunately—as our recent mid-season State of the Position showed—the Rockies’ are lacking in depth when it comes to many of their position groups.

With McMahon gone and Karros not yet ready, veteran Orlando Arcia is expected to get plentiful appearances at third base. However, Arcia isn’t exactly a viable option.

After being designated for assignment by the Atlanta Braves earlier this season, the Rockies quickly swooped in to sign him for his defensive versatility and clubhouse presence.

In 36 games with the Rockies, Arcia is worth a painful-to-look-at -1.2 Wins Above Replacement while hitting just .163/.202/.250. He’s played every infield position—including first base, a position he had never played before—and made eight starts at third base.

Additionally, Arcia is worth negative defensive runs saved at every position he has played for the Rockies this season, and is only worth positive outs above average and fielding run value at second base.

While the Rockies wait for Karros—or other prospects—to develop, they will need a sustainable short-term option at third base.

Middle-infielder Ryan Ritter (no. 17 PuRP) has limited experience at third base, but has the range and talent to play the position. Currently on the shelf with a finger laceration, the Rockies could try Ritter at third once he returns.

On Saturday the Rockies selected the contract of former top prospect Warming Bernabel. Mostly known for his bat, Bernabel is a serviceable third baseman. However, he has now made two starts at first base since being called up. The roster decision says a lot more about Michael Toglia’s standing with the organization than it does about the current third base conundrum.

This leaves the Rockies with two other in-house options.

Defensively, the best option would be 28-year-old Aaron Schunk.

The former second round pick from 2019 out of Georgia is a natural third baseman and has played the position well in limited big league action. In 2024 he was worth two outs above average and two defensive runs saved. Schunk is also versatile enough to play both second base and shortstop—a position he picked up during spring training last year—if needed.

Schunk is also currently slashing a respectable .280/.313/.479 with Triple-A Albuquerque with eight doubles, five triples, eight home runs, and 42 RBIs. He is currently riding a 10-game hitting streak as well.

The Rockies could also go a more unorthodox route in Sterlin Thompson (no. 15 PuRP). Thompson hasn’t regularly played third base since 2023 but is having a solid season at the plate in Albuquerque. Through 83 games he has slashed .276/.367/.481 with 20 doubles, seven triples, and ten home runs.

The Rockies’ only other real option would be to use the trade deadline to acquire a near-MLB ready third base prospect from a contending team, which might require some sweetening of the pot based on remaining assets.

This would also complicate matters because the Rockies do seem to view Kyle Karros as their third baseman of the future.

However, for the rest of 2025, and potentially longer, the Rockies will need to find a viable short-term option at third base. Otherwise, the coming days will be even more painful than McMahon’s departure.

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On the Farm

Triple-A: Salt Lake Bees 5, Albuquerque Isotopes 3

The Isotopes’ late comeback push fell short when Keston Hiura struck out with the tying run on base and two outs in the top of the ninth. Mason Albright pitched a solid four innings in his start, giving up just one earned run and striking out five. However, Connor Van Scoyoc had his first bumpy outing in a while, yielding four more runs to the Bees. Brayan Castillo continued to find his footing in Triple-A with a 1 ²⁄₃ inning scoreless outing where he struck out two. Zac Veen, Sam Hilliard, Kyle Karros, Jose Torres, and Braiden Ward all had two hit games, with Karros hitting his first Triple-A home run.

Double-A: Hartford Yard Goats at New Hampshire Fisher Cats: CANCELLED

The Yard Goats’ road series in New Hampshire was cut short due to inclement weather across the eastern sea board.

High-A: Spokane Indians 7, Everett Aqua Sox 4

Four errors were the Aqua Sox’ undoing as the Indians took advantage for the victory. Everett Catlett had a strong second start at the High-A level, pitching six innings of one-run baseball and striking out three batters, though every member of the bullpen gave up an earned run afterwards. Aidan Longwell drove in two of the Indians’ runs, including a solo home run in the sixth inning.

Low-A: Modesto Nuts 5, Fresno Grizzlies 4

The Grizzlies put up a fight with a four run seventh inning, but fell short to the Nuts in their series finale. Jimmy Obertop went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, hitting a crucial home run in that seventh inning. Third baseman Kevin Fitzer was the only other Grizzlies batter with multiple hits,

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Bernabel achieves childhood dream of hitting first MLB homer | MLB.com

Rookie corner infielder Warming Bernabel has been through a lot on his journey to the big leagues. He’s had his ups and downs, been a top prospect, and he’s even been shot. Now he’s joined the eternal brotherhood of Major League Baseball and in his second game he connected with his first career home run with his wife and son in the stands.

“It is a dream come true,” Bernabel said via third-base coach Andy González. “[It’s] something I dreamt about since I was little. Most importantly, I was able to hit my first home run in the big leagues with my family watching. That means a lot to me.”

Passing of the torch: Rox reflect on McMahon before Tovar’s HR caps win | MLB.com

The Rockies were able to come away with a win for their series opener against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday despite the news they received before the game. Their longtime teammate and leader Ryan McMahon had been traded to the New York Yankees. McMahon’s now former teammates reflected on their time spent with him, and Ezequiel Tovar assumed more of a leadership role.

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