The Rockies Insider with Patrick Lyons

Ethan Holliday may not have made his Major League debut over the weekend, but it sure felt like it. Decked out in Rockies gear with a full locker in the clubhouse, the 18-year-old dazzled during batting practice to hit some baseballs where few have hit them. Who did he already strike up a friendship with? And how often does he still talk with his brother Jackson of the Baltimore Orioles? Matt Holl...

It wasn't clear if the Colorado Rockies were ever going to win another game after going 4-22 entering a series at home against the Los Angeles Angels. Had they been swept in the final four series of the season, they would have tied the 2024 Chicago White Sox for the most losses in the Modern Era (since 1901). How'd they manage to avoid infamy? And how bad were they at home this season? Ger...

It's been a season for the ages, the dark ages. Colorado has set a franchise record for most loses in a season and though they may not set the MLB record for most losses, they will set a few more dubious records before it's all said and done. How does Denver native Kyle Freeland feel about it? Warren Schaeffer is hopeful about the future and aggressive with certain strategies for getting t...

The final homestand of 2025 for the Colorado Rockies included a lineup whose oldest hitter was 28 years old (and he was the least experienced player of the bunch, rookie 1B Blaine Crim). Certainly most of the players will return in 2026, but how many will be given the opportunity from Game 1 to make an impact for Colorado? Could we see a few starting pitcher additions this offseason too? Kyle Free...

Traded from the New York Yankees to the Colorado Rockies ahead of the 2025 MLB Trade Deadline, Griffin Herring immediately made his mark with the High-A Spokane Indians. The 22-year-old earned Northwest League Pitcher of the Month for August and jumped into the Rockies top 10 prospect rankings. The Grapevine, TX native discusses winning a National Title at the 2024 College World Series with the LS...

The finishing school for minor leaguers is rapidly approaching. October 6 is the start of the Arizona Fall League. Which of the Rockies top prospects are participating? And does the inclusion of Charlie Condon and Jared Thomas signal a likelihood the pair of 2024 MLB Draft Picks debut in Denver next season? Zach Agnos and Seth Halvorsen were two relievers who suffered injuries early in the second...

Colorado was shut out four consecutive games in San Diego this season and failed to score a run at Petco Park for 41 innings dating back to August 2024. Who is Blaine Crim and how did he save the Rockies from further infamy? Mickey Moniak had a game for the ages, one that no member of the Blake Street Bombers had every achieved. How special was he on Sunday? And does he think Matt Holliday touched...

A near no-hitter, 17 strikeouts and an overall beatdown by the Los Angeles Dodgers began the seven-game road trip in an awful manner. But Hunter Goodman became the first Rockie to reach 30 home runs since 2019. How rare is his accomplishment for a catcher? And could he actually reach 100 RBI? Mickey Moniak thinks Warren Schaeffer has done enough for Colorado to remove the word “interim” from his t...

First the Northern Colorado Owlz resigned and now the Grand Junction Jackalopes - formerly the GJ Rockies - are relocating for the 2026 Pioneer Baseball League season. Could the Colorado Rockies be somewhat responsible for this? And outside of Denver, where else can you watch pro ball in the Centennial State? Bud Black spoke for the first time since being fired in May. Is he considering a return t...

The incredible and almost improbable season of Hunter Goodman continues with the National League Player of the Week Award. Even against the Dodgers and perennial All-Star Will Smith, is Hunter Goodman the best catcher on the field this week in Los Angeles? L.A. nearly no-hits the Rockies for the first time since Clayton Kershaw did the deed at the same Dodger Stadium over 14 years ago. Who broke u...

From April 24 to August 3 in his first full-season in the Majors, Jordan Beck produced 14 home runs. Is 30 home runs where he’s headed next in 2026? And how much has his defense in left field improved? Ethan Holliday homers on the same day as brother Jackson during one of the worst Dodgers losses in a long time. As Ethan gears up for the California League Playoffs, could a huge first full season i...

Kyle Freeland didn't record an out on Tuesday. It was because he was ejected early, but that detail doesn't matter when your team needs 27 outs. In his second start in three Rockies games, Freeland was absolutely outstanding against the San Diego Padres. When was the last time a Colorado pitcher was that good? And was he better than his near no-hitter in 2017? Hunter Goodman homered in con...

Last place teams can get some love in Most Valuable Player voting. Example: Andre Dawson (CHC) in 1987 and Álex Rodríguez (TEX) in 2003. While it might be hard for Hunter Goodman to get real consideration for NL MVP this season, he certainly has potential to receive a few 9th or 10th place votes, maybe higher. What is working for/against Goodman in voting this year? Ryan McMahon was outstanding du...

Concerns about Charlie Condon should be in the rearview mirror as the 22-year-old continues to rake in Double-A Hartford. Could he possibly make his Triple-A debut once the Yard Goats season is over? Would a trip to the Majors during the Rockies final week be a possibility too? Austin Gomber signed with the Chicago Cubs and is now eligible to play in the postseason for them. Could we see Nolan Are...

Kyle Freeland didn’t care for the way Rafael Devers walked down to first base during his first-inning home run on Tuesday. What followed was three ejections, four fines and a 13-minute delay (which included an eight-minute home run trot). Did Logan Webb have the nastiest comment after the game? And what did interim manager Warren Schaeffer think after losing his pitching in the first? For the thir...

In an injury riddled season, Ezequiel Tovar has done his best to continue his upward trajectory amongst the game's best at shortstop. His 100th career double is a milestone few at his position have ever achieved younger in baseball history and even fewer have done it in Rockies history. How many ways can we possible dissect this impressive achievement? Another Japanese pitcher is slated to be...

Ahead of the 2022 season, Colorado invested $182 million in seven seasons of Kris Bryant. The Philadelphia Phillies, on the other hand, gave $180 million for nine combined seasons of Nick Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber. How serious was the talk within the Coors Field walls about Schwarber? Could the Rockies bring him in as a free agent this offseason? Mark Hutton is the only Australian native to p...

Tanner Gordon had already given Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers) and Hunter Brown (Houston Astros) a loss in his previous two starts. On Sunday, he helped snap a four-game losing streak for the Colorado Rockies by outpitching All-Star Matthew Boyd of the Chicago Cubs. Has he earned a place in the 2026 rotation? What did he accomplish that no other Rockies starter has done since last July? Color...

A successful farm system produces prospects that are successful and, hopefully, superstar big leaguers. Colorado has also believes winning in the minor league is also important; there's a track record to suggest they're right. How close are the Low-A Fresno Grizzlies and Double-A Hartford Yard Goats from making the postseason again? LHP Griffin Herring, key piece of that Ryan McMahon trade...

Colorado was a win on Thursday away from winning their first season series against the Houston Astros since 2012. Alas, the Rockies could overcome an early three-run deficit and score enough to prevent another Kyle Freeland loss. Why was a home run by Yanquiel Fernández so special? And which Denver-area pitcher earned the win against Colorado? Hunter Goodman and Brenton Doyle have been a one-two p...

Colorado is shaking up their rotation once again. Austin Gomber has already been waived and now it’s time for another starter with an earned run average north of 7.00 to lose their role. Antonio Senzatela, in his first season back from Tommy John surgery, is headed to the bullpen. Does this mean he might be removed from the roster entirely this offseason? Or might he be a good bet to be in the rot...

Colorado received a favorable home schedule in 2025, but the 2026 MLB schedule looks to be a bit rougher for the denizens of Coors Field. Where do the Rockies begin on Opening Day? Is the home opener in Denver one of the better ones in recent memory? And are they really going to play a series in Las Vegas? Being eliminated before next season’s schedule drops - or before reaching September - is nev...

Charlie Condon’s 2025 started in the worst way possible. His 2024 ended poorly, on top of it. By the time he had returned from a fractured wrist that cost him the first five weeks of the minor league season, a pair of players drafted after him were already in the Majors and making an impact. Has his power been sapped by the wrist injury? And shouldn’t he be the next prospect to debut for Colorado?...

Colorado couldn’t avoid the sweep with Paul Skenes on the mound in his 50th start of his impressive early career. How lackluster was the offense in Pittsburgh this weekend? And which young arm left early following scary line drive back up the box? Colorado did not qualify for the Little League World Series once again. Nevada, also from the Mountain Region, did and made it all the way to the Champi...

MLB is ready to branch out to 32 teams in the next five years before Commissioner Rob Manfred retires. Whether it's Portland or Salt Lake City - or both - the divisions will change drastically and the Colorado Rockies will no longer have to deal with the likes of the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres. What teams will the Rockies be paired with? And will we get more...