Rockies fall 7-1 to the Pirates on Aug 2, 2025, as Palmquist struggles. But the real story is prospect Cole Carrigg's historic night stealing home!
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was another tough night at 20th and Blake, as the Rockies fell 7-1 to the Pittsburgh Pirates, extending their league-worst record to a painful 28-81. But while the major league club struggled to find a spark, the future of the franchise was putting on an absolute fireworks show in the minor leagues. The story on Saturday wasn't the loss; it was the electrifying hope brewing in the farm system, headlined by a feat you rarely ever see on a baseball diamond.
Rockies prospect Cole Carrigg showcased his elite speed and instincts by stealing second, third, and home all in the same inning for the Fresno Grizzlies.
The game against the Pirates was, unfortunately, a familiar script. Starting pitcher Carson Palmquist battled but couldn't escape the big innings, surrendering five runs over 4.2 frames, including home runs to Bryan Reynolds and Andrew McCutchen. The offense was silent, mustering just five hits. A lone RBI from Hunter Goodman was all that kept the Rockies from being shut out. The 7-1 final marked a third straight loss, a stark reminder of the long road this 2025 season has been.
Meanwhile, down in Single-A, prospect Cole Carrigg provided the kind of highlight that gets baseball fans buzzing. In the third inning for the Fresno Grizzlies, Carrigg didn't just steal a base; he stole the whole inning. He swiped second. Then he took third. And then, with incredible audacity and speed, he stole home. The trifecta of thievery brought his season total to 37 stolen bases, tying the club record and putting his game-changing dynamism on full display. It's moments like these that fuel a rebuild.
Carrigg's heroics are a symptom of a larger, positive trend: the Rockies' farm system is on the rise. Bolstered by the selection of No. 4 overall pick Ethan Holliday—now ranked the No. 17 prospect in all of baseball—the organization's system has climbed to 19th in MLB. This newfound depth, strengthened by recent trade deadline deals that brought in two more pitchers and an outfielder, is the foundation of the front office's strategy. The focus is clear: build a sustainable winner from the ground up.
And the help might be coming sooner rather than later. In Triple-A Albuquerque, outfielder Yanquiel Fernandez is making a strong case for a promotion. Over the last month, he's been on fire, hitting .333 with a .405 on-base percentage and slugging .547. With eight extra-base hits and five steals in that span, his powerful bat and improving plate discipline could be a welcome sight at Coors Field when rosters expand. He represents the next wave of talent knocking on the door.
Yes, the losses at the major league level are frustrating. But the real story of the 2025 Colorado Rockies isn't being written at Coors Field right now. It's being written in Fresno, Albuquerque, and across the minor leagues. With dynamic players like Carrigg, high-ceiling talent like Holliday, and near-ready bats like Fernandez, the blueprint for a better tomorrow is finally taking shape. The wait is tough, but the future is getting brighter.
