The Rockies draft Ethan Holliday 4th overall on July 14, but the big league club falls to the Reds 4-2. A day of future hope clashes with present reality.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Rockies fans were served a classic dose of 'good news, bad news' to start the week. On one hand, the future looks brighter than ever with the arrival of a familiar name: Ethan Holliday, son of franchise icon Matt Holliday, selected fourth overall in the MLB Draft. On the other hand, the present continues to be a grind, punctuated by a series-ending 4-2 loss to the Reds where the offense and defense both faltered.
How's this for a hot streak? In Triple-A, Zac Veen is slashing .444/.483/.722 with 13 RBI during his current 13-game hitting streak.
It's the kind of story that gives you chills. With the fourth overall pick, the Rockies brought a Holliday back into the fold, drafting highly-touted infielder Ethan Holliday. The son of former slugger Matt Holliday, Ethan is considered a potential cornerstone player, a beacon of hope for a franchise desperate for a new identity. The excitement didn't stop there. On Monday, the team used its second-round pick (45th overall) on right-handed pitcher JB Middleton, a flamethrower whose high-velocity fastball could play up in a big way at Coors Field. These two picks represent a significant investment in a future that, right now, feels a lot more exciting than the present.
Unfortunately, the draft day buzz couldn't mask the team's current issues. The Rockies dropped the rubber match to the Reds 4-2 on Sunday, sealing another series loss. The offense just couldn't get going, managing only seven hits and scoring both of its runs in a single inning. Austin Gomber battled but was tagged with the loss, falling to 0-3 on the season. Perhaps more frustrating were the two defensive errors, a recurring problem that continues to put the pitching staff in tough spots. It was a classic case of not being able to string together enough quality at-bats or clean defensive plays to win a ballgame.
If the big league loss has you down, just look to the farm system for a pick-me-up. Top prospect Zac Veen is absolutely on fire for the Albuquerque Isotopes, extending his hitting streak to 13 games with video game numbers. Not to be outdone, catcher Braxton Fulford, recently optioned from the majors, seems to have found his power stroke, launching four homers in his last 15 at-bats. Add in a hot week for fellow catcher Drew Romo (.368 over his last five games), and it's clear the talent pipeline is churning. These guys are a constant reminder that help is on the way.
So where does this leave the Rockies? It's a balancing act between enduring the growing pains at the major league level and celebrating the promise of tomorrow. The draft picks of Holliday and Middleton are a clear signal of the front office's long-term vision. As fans, we'll have to stomach the tough losses for now, while keeping a close eye on the development of Veen, Fulford, and the new draft class. The rebuild is a marathon, not a sprint, and this week was a powerful reminder of just how far we have to go, but also how bright the destination could be.
