Eli Whitney | March 3, 2026
Image: Getty Images/Jeremy Chen
Scottsdale, AZ — The Rockies wrapped up the Spring Training weekend with a mix of walk-off heroics, explosive offense, and their first round of roster cuts as spring training takes shape.
Over four games from Friday through Monday, Colorado’s young core continued to deliver memorable moments, even as the pitching staff showed some growing pains.
Their philosophy was on full display Friday, when Ryan Ritter drew a walk, stole second, and scored a crucial run in a tight victory.
“That’s all we talk about — winning in the margins,” Warren Schaeffer said after the game. “That’s it right there. They’re giving us a stolen base; we’re going to take it with Ryan Ritter. Leads to a run, game-winner. Those are things we have to do all year long. 162 [games].”
What Stats Matter in the Spring?
Veen Does It Again
Zac Veen is making a habit of delivering in the clutch.
For the second time this spring, Veen launched a walk-off home run, lifting the Rockies to a 3–2 win over the Padres on Friday. His ninth-inning blast to center field — his second homer of the spring — put a fitting exclamation point on a tightly contested game.
“I practice being the best version of myself and trying to help the team win at all costs,” Veen said afterward.
The 24-year-old outfielder arrived at camp bigger and stronger after dedicating his offseason to adding muscle, and he’s been one of the Rockies’ most intriguing storylines this spring. Still, Veen downplayed the individual accolades.
“It feels like I’m coming to summer camp with my friends,” he said. “This is a great time, and I’m really blessed.”
For Veen, that comfort level didn’t happen by chance. It’s the result of a clubhouse culture where veterans make a point of welcoming young players—something Mickey Moniak recalls from his own first spring.
“I remember getting called up to the big leagues for the first time and having veterans like Andrew McCutchen, Jay Bruce, Bryce Harper, Jake Arrieta, Tommy Hunter, Rhys Hoskins, and JT Realmuto—the list goes on and on—that made me feel that way,” Moniak said. “But it started in spring training.”
Highs and Lows on the Hill
The weekend wasn’t all smooth for the pitching staff. Saturday’s 16–3 loss to the Royals was particularly rough, as the Rockies issued 15 walks — a number manager Warren Schaeffer didn’t mince words about.
“Fifteen walks is absolutely unacceptable,” Schaeffer said. “Any scenario that you throw out there, that’s a huge number.”
Michael Lorenzen, who started that game and allowed four walks and five earned runs over two innings, took a philosophical view of the difficult outing against his former club.
“I didn’t have too much feel today,” Lorenzen said. “Which, in spring training, that’s kind of a good thing. You want some problems to come up during these games. Break it down with the pitching coaches — this is what I felt, how do we make sure that stuff doesn’t happen during a game when I’m feeling this way? Let’s come up with solutions.”
Ryan Feltner, who followed Lorenzen to the mound Saturday, faced his own control challenges but kept his focus on the bigger picture. The right-hander, working back from an injury-plagued 2025, is in the process of expanding his arsenal by adding a cutter.
“I got a little tired at the end, cardio-wise, but I think all the stuff was there,” Feltner said. “My goal, along with a lot of our pitchers, is just to flood the zone with all our pitches. That’s why we’re all trying to develop extra pitches.”
The veteran presence extends beyond those currently throwing on the mound. Kyle Freeland, the longest-tenured Rockie, has been a consistent guide for the newer additions.
“Kyle wants to make this place great,” Warren Schaeffer said. “You can see that every time you talk to him. The collaboration between this staff room and the clubhouse, with him in the middle of it along with other guys, is a very good thing for us.”
Schaeffer emphasized that Freeland’s value differs from that of veterans brought in from outside the organization.
“Kyle has a unique perspective on what we’ve been through the past couple of years, which is very valuable for messaging to other players. The other veterans who have come in don’t necessarily have that. So I think both are very valuable.”
Even after a tough Saturday, there were still positives to take away.
Tanner Gordon continued his strong spring on Friday, tossing two scoreless innings against the Padres. After issuing a four-pitch walk to begin his outing, he regrouped and retired the next six batters.
“That’s what you want from him,” Schaeffer said. “Throwing all his pitches for strikes — that’s what Tanner does best.”
Parker Mushinski delivered a strong outing of his own, striking out the side in the ninth inning on Friday. It marked a nice bounce-back performance after a rough first appearance this spring.
“He looked really good out there today,” Schaeffer said. “He punched out the side. Good bounce-back game for Parker.”
Chase Dollander also turned in a solid start Sunday against the Guardians, allowing one run on one hit over two innings while recording a strikeout.
On Monday against the Dodgers, the bullpen flashed both promise and growing pains. The Rockies gave up four home runs in a 7–5 loss but mounted a late push with two runs in the bottom of the ninth before coming up short.
Bats Stay Hot
Hunter Goodman went deep Friday against the Padres for his first home run of the spring. For the catcher — who earned All-Star honors and a Silver Slugger award last season — it was a welcome sign early in camp.
“It’s nice to feel some good contact,” Goodman said. “It’s still February, so I’m just trying to swing at good pitches and get some barrels. It’s definitely nice to feel that.”
Goodman also spoke about finding the right balance at the plate — maintaining the early-count aggressiveness that’s fueled his success while becoming more selective.
“I think it’s just being a little more picky early in counts,” he said. “Being more one-pitch, one-spot early in the count, depending on the guy.”
Goodman also discussed his growth behind the plate, noting that another year of experience has made a clear difference.
“I feel a lot more comfortable,” Goodman said. “Another season under my belt. Being around all these guys who’ve played for a long time, picking their brains — I feel way better.”
Jordan Beck and Charlie Condon both homered in Saturday’s loss to the Royals — Condon’s third in four days, continuing his hot start to the spring. Beck’s blast was his first.
Brett Sullivan added his first home run as well, leading off Sunday’s game against the Guardians with a solo shot.
Monday’s loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers featured a power display of its own. Mickey Moniak and Kyle Karros went back-to-back in the sixth inning, erasing a two-run deficit and tying the game at 3–3. Moniak’s homer was his second of the spring, while Karros connected for his first.
Moniak has reached base at least twice in each of his four spring games, an early sign that his offseason work is paying off.
“For the longest time, my whole career, I’ve been battling to stay in the strike zone,” Moniak said. “Every year it’s kind of the main focus — walking that fine line of not taking away my strengths, which is being aggressive in the zone, while also making sure I’m getting the right pitches.”
The veteran outfielder also emphasized the value of a full, uninterrupted spring after last year’s whirlwind arrival in Colorado.
“It’s great to be somewhere where you feel wanted and appreciated,” he said. “Having Warren Schaeffer and this coaching staff leading the way, it’s been a different feel. The mindset’s kind of turned to winning baseball games versus just being happy to be here.”
Moniak, now one of the veterans in the room, sees himself as part of that pipeline.
“You’ve got Jordan Beck, who kind of got comfortable last year,” Moniak said. “[Hunter] Goodman obviously winning the Silver Slugger, All-Star, having the season that he had. Having guys like [Cole] Carrigg and Charlie [Condon] – anything we can do to make sure they’re ready to go once they get to the big leagues, and they will because the talent’s there, is kind of what we’re trying to start here in spring.”
Roster Adjustments Begin
Monday brought the first roster moves of the spring. The Rockies reassigned catcher Bryant Betancourt, right-handed pitcher Brayan Castillo, catcher Cole Mesina, and outfielder Jared Thomas to minor league camp.
As the roster begins to take shape, Schaeffer acknowledged the difficult decisions ahead – and the philosophy guiding them.
“If you have eight guys that are volatile, it’s probably not going to go well, everything has to click right for it to go well,” Schaeffer said. “I think we’ve been in that situation in the past, where we’ve had a lot of volatility on the roster. But it’s all about fit.”
Colorado now has 56 active players remaining in Major League camp, including 16 non-roster invitees.
Minor League Honors Announced
On Monday, the Rockies announced their 2025 Minor League award winners. Infielder/outfielder Roldy Brito was named the Doug Million Minor League Player of the Year after slashing .368/.445/.555 across two levels. Left-hander Konner Eaton earned the Rick Matthews Minor League Pitcher of the Year award after recording 149 strikeouts, the most by any Rockies minor leaguer.
Physical Performance Manager Trevor Swartz received the P.J. Carey Player Development Award.
Looking Ahead
The Rockies had the day off on Tuesday before facing off against Team USA later today. Kyle Freeland will make his first start of the spring after battling some back issues early in camp.
With Opening Day less than a month away, the competition for spots – particularly in the bullpen and at first base – remains very much alive.
As Moniak put it, spring training is where it all starts.
Written by Eli Whitney.
Leave a Reply