Eli Whitney | February 23, 2026 | @eliwhtney17

The Colorado Rockies have completed their first full week of Spring Training, and if the early buzz around Salt River Fields is any indication, this is not your typical Rockies camp.

Between a revamped coaching staff, an influx of veteran presence, and a young core hungry to turn the page on a brutal 2025 season, there is a palpable shift in the air.

Spring Training, Week 1

New sheriff in town

Warren Schaeffer, who was given the full-time managerial reins during the offseason, has brought fresh energy to his first Spring Training as manager of the Colorado Rockies. His message since the start of camp has been clear: the past is the past.

“Last year was brutal, and we don’t ever want to do it again,” Schaeffer said. “Everybody who went through that learned from it—that’s the point. You learn from it, you move forward. It’s a brand-new team in there with a lot of turnover, new leadership, and a fresh start.”

The first week has focused on laying that foundation. Schaeffer has met individually with players—including top prospect Charlie Condon—to outline expectations, while emphasizing collaboration between the new coaching staff and the roster.

“The main thing walking out of meetings is that we’re all on the same page and have clarity on where we want to go moving forward,” Schaeffer said. “Everybody in that room has the same expectations.”

New faces, new philosophy

The most notable difference? The pitching staff is now full of veterans with professional experience. The Rockies added Tomoyuki Sugano, Michael Lorenzen, and José Quintana to a rotation that desperately needed stability and experience. Schaeffer did not mince any words about what that means.

“Anytime you can add veteran starting pitching, it’s a very good thing,” Schaeffer said. “Specifically for us and our struggles last year with throwing the ball over the plate, getting guys that do that at a high level… I think it is an extremely good thing.”

Lorenzen, in particular, arrived with a mission. When asked about the longstanding narrative that pitchers avoid Colorado, he offered a refreshing counterpoint.

“The foundation of where those thoughts come from is more faith-based for me — don’t be afraid of trials,” Lorenzen said. “Colorado is untapped when it comes to the pitching side of things. To be one of the first guys to come in and try to figure this place out? That’s exciting to me.”

Sugano, the 36-year-old Japanese import, has already impressed the coaching staff with his arsenal and professionalism. Schaeffer noted that after an early bullpen session, Sugano was “pounding the strike zone with all his pitches,” and that his willingness to attack hitters will play anywhere- even Coors Field.

Quintana, the newest addition to the club’s veteran stable, arrived with that same mindset. When asked about joining a young, hungry team, he did not hesitate.

“It’s great. I think it’s a really good opportunity for me to come here and help this organization in the best ways I can,” Quintana said. “They are so talented. And they are hungry right now. All the guys I see around want to do things the right way.”

Quintana also praised the collaborative environment fostered by the new coaching staff.

“The pitching meetings are amazing. The way they highlight your skills and how they think you can get better — they bring a lot of ideas to the table,” Quintana said. “They’re here to help you. That’s the most important thing.”

The youth movement accelerated

For all the veteran additions, the Rockies’ future still rests with their young core. And that core arrived in camp looking different.

Kyle Karros arrived at camp after an offseason dedicated to getting his body in peak condition, and Schaeffer took notice immediately.

“It was his first real offseason after playing in the big leagues, so it was important for him to know that he needed to get his body right,” Schaeffer said. “He came in looking strong.”

After a strong day at the plate on Sunday, Karros opened up about his evolving approach. “I like it, definitely heading in the right direction,” Karros remarked. “A lot of times during live at-bats, I get caught up just taking swings. But as we get into more game-like situations, the pitchers start pitching a little bit. Today, I felt like I went up there with a better approach and was more of a hitter rather than just a swinger.”

He has been working closely with new hitting coach Brett Pill on using his size to his advantage. “We’ve been playing around with some things on using my leverage to my advantage and taking some legit cuts, rather than just moving the ball- actually swinging it and impacting the baseball,” Karros said. “Now that we’re getting back into games, it’s more of blending the kind of legit full-effort swings with the hitting approach. I’ve liked him a lot. I think we’ve been clicking with a lot of different philosophies.”

Karros has also embraced the Rockies’ third base tradition- and he is not shy about his desire to be a part of it. “I love third base. My favorite part about baseball is playing third base. I could take grounders forever over there,” Karros said. “I’ve always been of the belief that I don’t move around just because I’m tall. I can play third base at an elite level.”

He recalled a surreal moment in Scottsdale.

“My first spring training in a game was against Nolan [Arenado], and we were playing catch before the game. That was the guy I was looking up to growing up,” Karros said. “To kind of be following in his footsteps and doing my best to keep up with what he was doing- it’s a dream come true. I want to cement myself as one of the best third basemen to come through Colorado.”

Jordan Beck, who flashed promise in his first full season last year, has drawn praise for his preparation. Schaeffer compared Beck’s work ethic to that of former Rockie Charlie Blackmon.

“You see him in the video room, probably second to Chuck,” Schaeffer commented. “You trust that he will get better because he cares about it. He wants to be great, and I don’t think he’s scared of it.”

“I learned a lot,” Beck said. “We’re all grinding through the same stuff. Some days you don’t feel as good, and other days you feel great, and it doesn’t go your way. It’s about staying even-keeled.”

Meanwhile, Ezequiel Tovar arrived at camp healthy after battling injuries throughout 2025. His message to the younger players was straightforward.

“The message I can give them is just to play hard out there. Play 100 percent. There’s a reason why they’re here,” Tovar said.

He also reflected on the importance of moving on from last season.

“Right when that last game ended, you’ve got to turn the page,” Tovar said. “You’ve got to move forward and look at what’s ahead and what you can become.”

Condon is getting his first taste of big league camp, and for him, the focus is on soaking in the experience while staying true to himself.

“It’s an exciting opportunity for me to come out here and play with all these guys,” Condon said. “Nothing really changes for me in terms of what I’m trying to do or how I’m trying to perform. It’s not a different game up here — it’s more challenging, and it’s a good challenge.”

Condon, who played multiple positions in college, has also been working to sharpen his defensive versatility.

“The outfield is nothing new to me,” he said. “That being said, there’s definitely some rust to knock off when you haven’t played a position in a while. This offseason, I knew I didn’t want to play only first base. Keeping that versatility as an asset is something I worked on.”

Position battles take shape

With full-squad workouts now underway, Schaeffer acknowledged that several jobs remain up for grabs. First base, in particular, is “completely wide open,” with candidates including T.J. Rumfield, Blaine Crim, Troy Johnston, and Edouard Julien.

Second base, third base, and spots in the outfield could also feature platoon situations, depending on how performances shake out this spring.

“That allows us to put guys in the best position to succeed,” Schaeffer said. “It allows us to get creative, to mix and match, to move in-game. We’re pumped about that.”

Adael Amador has firmly inserted himself into the conversation at second base after a strong start this spring.

Schaeffer addressed his status directly following Saturday’s game.

“[Amador] is squarely in the mix for that second-base job. He’s here to compete for a job,” Schaeffer said. “Good first day for him. We like a lot of things he does. He’s a guy who, historically, walks more than he strikes out. That’s a big thing. We need guys to get on base. If he can do that, he’s got a good shot.”

In the outfield, Schaeffer noted that positional flexibility will be key- particularly with Beck and Jake McCarthy. “[Beck] needs to be ready to play both left and right- I think there’s a good chance when Brenton Doyle’s in center and McCarthy and Beck are both in the lineup that McCarthy is out in left field. Speed factors into covering that huge ground. So Beck needs to be ready to play both.”

Willi Castro, who signed as a free agent this offseason, embodies that flexibility. An All-Star utility player with the Minnesota Twins in 2023, Castro can line up almost anywhere on the diamond.

“Being versatile, I know not everybody can do that,” Castro said. “It’s really fun because you get more playing time. Coming up as a shortstop and then switching to the outfield made a big impact on my career.”

Castro also emphasized the importance of baserunning—an area the Rockies have prioritized in early camp drills.

“The number one mentality is to score,” Castro said. “That’s the number one thing that’s going to help us win ballgames.”

The Kris Bryant situation

Perhaps the most somber note of the week came regarding Kris Bryant, who was placed on the 60-day injured list as he continues to battle persistent back issues. Schaeffer addressed the situation with visible empathy.

“[Bryant] has done so much in this game,” Schaeffer said. “You have to realize how tough this is for him. It’s really hard for him not to be able to play, and just not be able to feel good. It affects him at home. He wants to be a father to his kids, and he’s having a tough time bending down.”

While Bryant’s on-field future remains uncertain, Schaeffer emphasized that his presence in the clubhouse- when healthy enough to be around- still carries value for the young players.

“There’s huge value in that,” Schaeffer noted. “His willingness to talk with them about hitting in  certain situations, how to handle their business on a daily basis- he’s been through it at a very, very high level.”

Bullpen depth a strength in 2026

One area where the Rockies feel optimistic? The bullpen. Schaeffer called the relief corps “one of the biggest strengths of our team,” citing the diversity of arm angles and arsenals. “You look at Jimmy Herget to start off; a nasty, odd arm angle,” Schaeffer said. “We added Brennan Bernardino. Same thing from the left side. And we’ve got a bunch of hard throwers, a bunch of guys that get outs.”

Young right-handed arms like Jaden Hill, Juan Mejia, Seth Halvorsen and Victor Vodnik provide depth and competition. “We feel really good about our bullpen,” Schaeffer added. “There’s some competition for spots out there, too.”

Rule-5 pick RJ Petit made his spring debut and impressed, even after battling a few early jitters.

“A little bit of nerves,” Petit admitted. “The first guy, I had some jitters — trying to figure out where everything was going. But after that, I told myself I can’t do that again. Locked it in. Got my three outs.”

Petit also praised the revamped pitching infrastructure, pointing to the continuity he shares with assistant pitching coach Gabe Ribas, whom he worked with in Detroit.

“My impressions have been super positive. I had Gabe Ribas with me in Detroit, so a lot of it feels familiar,” Petit said. “From what I’m hearing, compared to the prior staff, things are night and day. For me, it’s been a pretty easy transition.”

Veteran influence on young arms

The addition of veteran pitchers has not just strengthened the rotation — it has also created a valuable learning environment for the organization’s emerging arms.

Top prospect Chase Dollander has already built a connection with veteran right-hander Lorenzen.

“I’ve mainly only talked to Lorenzen,” Dollander said. “He’s incredibly smart, and he’s seen a lot. For me, it’s just about picking his brain, maybe trying a few new things I haven’t done in the past — mainly arm care, workload management, and what he does in the weight room.”

Schaeffer sees the upside clearly.

“Dollander — I’ve said this on TV, I can’t tell you how many times — if he throws strikes, he’s going to be really good for a long time,” Schaeffer said.

Tanner Gordon, who found success in the second half last season, has also benefited from the veteran presence in camp.

“Kyle Freeland and I trained together in the offseason. We threw together,” Gordon said. “Lorenzen has been a good mentor. I’ve talked to him about stuff off the field — his diet, his workout routine, what works for him.”

Schaeffer praised Gordon’s approach on the mound.

“[Gordon] commands the strike zone,” Schaeffer said. “The thing we’re trying to do around here is get in the zone more often. He does that very well.”

Learning behind the plate

Recent Silver Slugger winner Hunter Goodman, coming off his first full MLB season behind the plate in 2025, views the addition of veteran arms as a game-changer for the entire pitching staff.

“Adding those veteran pitchers — just hearing how they go about their work and how they think about pitching — and honestly, talking to them about how they approach pitch-calling as well, for me personally, it’s been big,” Goodman said. “It’s been cool to talk with them and pick their brains.”

Goodman also reflected on the lessons learned from last season’s struggles.

“I think a lot of what happened last year came down to inexperience,” Goodman said. “We had one of the youngest teams in the league. The experience that so many of us young guys gained last year is going to be huge for us moving forward.”

Culture shift or spring optimism?

It is February. Everyone’s in first place. Cactus League games have only just begun. But one word keeps surfacing around camp: hungry.

When asked to describe the team’s character in a single word, Schaeffer did not hesitate.

“Hungry. Sick and tired,” Schaeffer said. “Which, for me, is a good combination.”

Mickey Moniak, who arrived just days before Opening Day in 2025 and quickly became one of the more experienced players in the lineup, sees a noticeable shift in mentality.

“I think last year we had so many guys coming up who were just getting their feet wet,” Moniak said. “Take it from me — it’s tough to get comfortable in this game. This year, it’s transitioned from ‘happy to be here’ to ‘okay, it’s time to win.’”

Lorenzen summed it up while discussing how younger players are responding to the veteran presence.

“We’re walking out of meetings and hearing younger guys say, ‘Hey, I got so much information out of that,’” Lorenzen said. “Guys want to learn. They want to improve. If you have that, and that process is the focus every single day, it’s going to translate into wins.”

Schaeffer echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the collaborative environment taking shape in camp.

“It’s fantastic. Just watching the pitchers walk around here, the way they’re carrying themselves, how excited they are — it’s a very, very good thing,” Schaeffer said. “The best things come from collaboration.”

Quintana, the newest veteran voice in the room, summed it up simply.

“Everybody came here with one mission: try to win. Be ready to win. That’s the most important thing. Everybody brings the energy, and you feel it right away.”

On the Field: Cactus League Action

The Rockies finally got to test all that positive energy in game action, and the early results have been promising.

Feb. 20 vs. Arizona (3-2 Loss)

For Antonio Senzatela, who made his first start of the spring, the results were secondary to how he felt on the mound.

“My arm feels really good. My body feels really good,” Senzatela said. “My sinker is looking good. I feel really good.”

The bigger storyline, however, is evolution. After years as a fastball-heavy pitcher, Senzatela is expanding his arsenal — including the addition of a new sweeper.

“Yeah, it’s different. I have a lot more pitches right now,” he said. “It feels a little weird the first time, but it feels good. It feels like I have a lot of weapons to throw.”

The sweeper, in particular, is a pitch he has emphasized this offseason.

“It’s a new pitch. I tried to start throwing it better and got good results,” Senzatela said. “I just made a mistake with it today, but it’s been very good this spring.”

Schaeffer was impressed with the performance of the newly refined Senzatela.

“It didn’t matter leaving one up to [Arenado] right there. He’s working on all of his pitches, getting ahead in the strike zone early. He did all that. He did exactly what we wanted him to do today,” Schaeffer said.

Cole Carrigg also made an impression, showcasing the athleticism that has the organization excited. Carrigg recorded an RBI triple and played solid defense at shortstop.

“He’s a dynamic player when he’s out there. That triple led to a run. Played good, solid defense at shortstop. He’s going to be a good player,” Schaeffer said.

Schaeffer had previously described Carrigg’s energy in vivid terms:

“He plays like a wild horse with his hair on fire. I love it. I love the way he plays. We need more of that.”

Feb. 21 at Arizona (11-6 Win)

The Rockies followed up the loss with an emphatic 11-6, pounding out 13 hits and showing off the offensive depth that Schaeffer has been talking about.  

Doyle set the tone from the leadoff spot, going 3-for-3 with two doubles and three RBIs to spark the offense.

Gordon finished his night with three strikeouts and no earned runs.

“That’s what he does. He gets ahead of guys with strikes,” Schaeffer said. “Ninety-four to ninety-five (mph) was a good number to see on day one — moving down the mound nicely. Good stuff from him.”

Gordon, who has been working on adding a two-seamer to his repertoire, threw it in game action for the first time.

“[I] used it a few times. It’s still in the works, so it’s not perfect by any means. Still got a lot of work to do on it,” he said.

He understands the value of expanding his arsenal.

“The more pitches you have, the harder it is for the hitter to game plan. If you go out there and have two pitches, it makes it a little easier for the guy. They’re really big on having a big arsenal, being able to use that arsenal, be in the zone with it, and get guys out.”

Amador launched his first home run of the spring, further solidifying his case for the second base job. Ryan Ritter added two hits and two RBIs, while Condon reached base three times.

Perhaps most encouraging: the Colorado Rockies drew eight walks as a team, a sign that the emphasis on patience at the plate is translating.

Feb. 22 at Texas (9-5 Loss)

The Rockies fell to 1-2 in spring as they lost 9-5 to the Rangers, but there were still plenty of positives to take away.

Karros continued his strong spring with three hits, showing the approach he has been working on with hitting coach Brett Pill.

Beck added two doubles, continuing his torrid start. Schaeffer noted afterward that Beck’s performance came “off a couple good pitchers too,” underscoring the quality of his at-bats.

The pitching staff had some control issues – 11 walks on the day -, but Schaeffer was quick to put that into perspective.

“Unacceptable. That’s what we want to avoid,” Schaeffer said. “But again, early in spring training, getting their feet under them. Vodnik, Bernadino, Herget– trying new pitches out there, trying new stuff to get ready for the season. It’s their first outing. Not worried at all about it.”

Welinton Herrera made his Cactus League debut, and while the command was not there, the raw stuff was evident.

“Not enough strikes, but it was good to see [Herrera] out there for the first time and getting his feet wet. First outing of the year. We know that he’s a really good pitcher and that he’s got an electric arm. Get the first one out of the way, we’ll move forward,” Schaeffer said post-game.

What is next?

The Rockies will continue Cactus League play this week, with more opportunities for young players to state their cases and for veterans to knock off the rust. Schaeffer made clear early on that fans will not see anything resembling an Opening Day lineup in these first few games as “guys need to get their feet under them,” but the foundation being laid is undeniable.

“The excitement level is very high,” said Schaeffer. “We’re going to be looking at a lot of stuff this spring, looking to create our best route.”

For a franchise coming off a forgettable 2025, that excitement- combined with a healthy dose of hunger- might just be the most important development of all.

Written by Eli Whitney.