Rockies fall 6-2 to the Diamondbacks on June 22, but Hunter Goodman's road power reveals a promising new team identity. Is this the start of a turnaround?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Another Sunday at Coors Field ended in disappointment as the Rockies fell 6-2 to the Diamondbacks, but don't let the final score fool you. The most important story for this team isn't happening in the thin air of Denver; it's being forged on the road and in the minor leagues, where a new philosophy and a wave of talent are beginning to rewrite the narrative.
Hunter Goodman has hit 11 of his 14 home runs this season on the road, a testament to the team's revamped batting practice routines.
The homestand finale didn't go according to plan. The Rockies' offense was quieted by Arizona, mustering just two runs despite a multi-hit day from Mickey Moniak. The bats struggled to deliver with runners in scoring position, a familiar frustration for the home crowd. Starter Antonio Senzatela battled through 5.2 innings, giving up four earned runs while striking out six, but a two-run knock from former Rockie Randal Grichuk did significant damage. The bullpen couldn't stop the bleeding, allowing two more runs late to seal the 6-2 defeat.
While the bats were cold at Coors, the team's road offense is heating up, and Hunter Goodman is leading the charge. The catcher/outfielder is on a tear away from home, hitting .333 with seven homers in June alone. This isn't an accident. It's the result of a deliberate strategic shift by interim manager Warren Schaeffer and his new hitting coaches. They've scrapped old routines for more purposeful, targeted batting practice on the road, an approach designed to combat the team's historical struggles away from Denver. Goodman's success is the most visible proof that the new plan is working.
The optimism extends deep into the farm system. On Sunday, top prospect Zac Veen launched his third home run of the season, while pitcher Konner Eaton dominated with a career-high 11 strikeouts. This is part of a larger trend of impressive development. Power-armed reliever Seth Halvorsen and groundball specialist Angel Chivilli have already graduated to the big-league bullpen and are making an impact. Meanwhile, top-tier talents like pitcher Chase Dollander and infielder Adael Amador are getting closer to MLB-ready, with Ryan Ritter and Kyle Karros also making strong cases for late-season call-ups. The future is bright, and it's coming fast.
Losing at home is never fun, but the 2025 Rockies are asking fans to look at the bigger picture. The progress on the road and the sheer volume of talent rising through the system are tangible signs of a plan. As the team heads back out on the road, the real test will be whether this new identity can continue to grow, turning today's silver linings into tomorrow's consistent wins.
