Colorado Rockies news and links for Thursday, July 24th, 2025
I’ve written about Mickey Moniak a few times this season. It seems that every time I do, he just progressively heats up, starting the season off somewhat slow to becoming one of the hottest hitters in all of MLB.
Entering play on Wednesday, Moniak’s slashing .438/.481/.813 in July with a seven-game hit streak and a 15-game on-base streak. Last night’s win saw him homer for the 15th time this season, a new career-high, and he’s on pace to hit career-best numbers in just about all offensive categories.
Things are going well.
While his defense isn’t spectacular, at least in the way that someone like Brenton Doyle’s is, it’s at lest been serviceable enough that one isn’t worried about his work in the outfield. Since his signing in late May, Moniak has risen up the ranks, climbing from fourth-outfielder roster hopeful to integral part of the everyday lineup.
With that in mind, the Rockies now face a dilemma.
See, many a Colorado baseball fan entered this season with the hope — nay, the expectation — that No. 4 PuRP Zac Veen would receive regular playing time and begin his ascension to the superstar status that many believe him capable of. After a 12-game audition earlier this year, though, Veen was sent back down to Triple-A Albuquerque, where he resides still. His path back to the Majors isn’t fully clear, as injuries continue to plague the promising prospect.
As such, the Rockies front office team must make a decision: Will they try to trade Moniak and his expiring one-year contract to another team in return for a package of prospects, or will they hang on to the former first overall draft pick in hopes of inking him to a long-term deal?
Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Well, there’s reasons to consider both.
Moniak is under team control until 2027, but the front office may pull the trigger on keeping him around for even long. Those in favor of keeping him in Denver for the future will be optimistic about this season as the start of a career resurgence with the Rockies. Of course, it’s worth pointing out that he, like so many others, has been the beneficiary of some serious help at home, where he’s hitting .317 compared to .224 on the road. This will cause some pause, especially when you consider that Moniak’s career splits are actually the opposite.
At the same time, Colorado’s offense has been historically inept this season, so it makes sense to hang on to anyone that’s actually shown effectiveness at the plate. After all, even with six years of Major League experience under his belt, Moniak is just 27 years old and absolutely has the athletic ability to continue his development. Who knows? Maybe this is just the first step in a long, fruitful tenure in Colorado.
At the same time, some will advocate for a trade to take full advantage of his current value, and there’s merit to this option, too.
Many a contending team could use a bat with his potential in their lineup, and the Rockies would likely be able to ask for a solid prospect or two in return. As they continue to look toward their future and consider who fits into that long-term puzzle, they’ve seemingly been open about their willingness to make deals, and it would make sense to ship Moniak off to another team if it means bringing back high-upside young talent that could be crucial to their rebuilding process.
Finally, there’s a hidden third option, which sees Moniak finish the season with the Rockies, after which the two parties could have an arbitration conversation. Because he’s under team control until 2027, Colorado can more or less ride his services out before making a longer-term decision.
So what’s the best outcome?
We all have our opinions, but for my money, I’d like to see the front office hang on to Moniak for now and continue to foster his development. With his favorable contract and explosive 2025 campaign, Colorado finds themselves in a favorable position with options available. May as well keep Moniak on the roster, and see if this season is a fluke, or just a precursor to something special.
Is that a hot take? Maybe, as seem will see this new deal as “blocking” Zac Veen.
I still believe it’s a solid acquisition, though, as Moniak can either a) play the field in case Veen needs more time to cook, seeing if he can replicate this season’s success, or b) act as the team’s fourth outfielder, guiding stars like Veen, Jordan Beck, and Brenton Doyle through the early days of their MLB careers while providing support on days that they sit.
While I don’t think Moniak is the key to Colorado’s playoff hopes, I do like what I’ve seen out of him this season, and I’m willing to take a gamble on him continuing to make an impact at elevation for another two years. If things don’t work out, the team has other options they can turn to, but I believe Mickey could turn out to be an under-the-radar signing that blossoms into a fun, efficacious fan favorite.
To be honest, he’s already there for me.
On the farm
Triple-A: Albuquerque Isotopes 8, Salt Lake Bees 3
Some late-inning heroics were the key to victory for the Isotopes. Five total runs in the sixth and seventh innings were the difference-makers.
Three home runs – two-run shots by Sam Hilliard and Braxton Fulford, plus a solo shot by Jose Torres – were what powered the offense late. Kyle Karros, newly promoted to Triple-A, recorded two hits.
Anthony Molina got the win after his five-inning, three-run (two earned) start, while Lucas Gilbreath added an inning of scoreless relief.
Double-A: New Hampshire Fisher Cats 10, Hartford Yard Goats 2
A four-run first inning was all it took for the Fisher Cats to claw up the Yard Goats on Wednesday.
Hartford’s pitching staff had a rough time keeping the New Hampshire batting order in check, walking nine batters and allowing 11 hits en route to a lopsided loss. Juan Guerrero’s two-hit, one-RBI game was the sole offensive highlight for the Yard Goats.
High-A: Everett AquaSox 4, Spokane Indians 1
Ryan Hawks (great name) shut down the Indians for seven innings, setting his AquaSox up to collect the dub.
Hawks’ seven-inning one-run (none earned) start allowed Everett to pick their spots offensively, as their two-run fourth inning showed. Though each team managed six hits, it was the AquaSox that took advantage of their opportunities as Spokane went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
At least GJ Hill doubled?
Single-A: Fresno Grizzlies 10, Modesto Nuts 1
The Grizzlies ran wild on offense as they enjoyed a commanding victory over the Nuts.
All but one batter in Fresno’s starting lineup recorded a hit, with Robert Calaz’s three-hit performance being particularly noteworthy. Roynier Hernandez, for his part, knocked in three runs.
On the hill, Marcos Herrera recorded an excellent start as he tossed six innings of one-run ball. He was relieved by Zack Morris, who threw three frames and shut Modesto down efficiently.
For more on the Rockies farm system, check out this week’s Pebble Report.
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On the internet
Rockies Mailbag: Will Colorado actually be seller at trade deadline? | Denver Post ($$)
Patrick Saunders breaks down some potential trade options for the Rockies as the deadline approaches.
Updated Rockies trade values: McMahon, Bird drop in value just before deadline | 104.3 The Fan
The fine folks over at the Fan weigh in on how various Rockies players have affected their trade value – and for some, it’s not in the way they’d like.
Strike 2: The Colorado Rockies need to find some buyers | Mile High Sports
To round out our trio of trade-based reads, Mark Knudson details his opinions on what a potential deal for Ryan McMahon, among others, could look like.
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