Rockies fall to Twins 7-3 on July 18 despite Hunter Goodman's HR. But the real story is top prospect Jared Thomas, who offers a glimpse of a brighter future.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was another one of *those* nights at Coors Field. The kind fans have become all too familiar with in this 2025 season. A 7-3 loss to the Minnesota Twins, a struggling starter, and a losing streak that just won't quit. But while the present feels bleak, the real story for the Colorado Rockies isn't happening at 20th and Blake. It's happening in the farm system, where a new wave of talent is making a compelling case that better days are on the horizon.
After dominating at High-A Spokane with a .330/.427/.495 slash line, 11 home runs, 45 RBI, and 22 stolen bases, prospect Jared Thomas is looking like the real deal.
The box score from Friday's 7-3 loss to the Twins tells a familiar story. Kyle Freeland battled but couldn't keep the opposition off the board, surrendering five runs in just 4.2 innings. The bullpen couldn't stop the bleeding, and despite a two-run blast from Hunter Goodman—his 18th of the year—the offense couldn't muster enough to compete. The loss marks the team's third straight, dropping their record to a painful 22-75. It's tough sledding for the major league squad, with bright spots like Goodman's power surge providing only temporary relief.
But let's talk about the good news, because it's significant. The organization officially named outfielder Jared Thomas, their second-round pick from 2024, the top performer of the first half in the minor leagues. And it's easy to see why. Before his recent promotion to Double-A Hartford, Thomas absolutely tore up High-A Spokane, posting a .330/.427/.495 slash line with 11 homers, 45 RBI, and 22 stolen bases in 73 games. That's a dynamic, five-tool profile that the Rockies desperately need, drawing comparisons to the rapid ascents of past prospects like Cole Carrigg and Kyle Karros.
Thomas isn't the only one climbing the ladder. He's being joined in Hartford by 2024 first-round pick Charlie Condon, who also earned a promotion from Spokane after an impressive start to his professional career. The talent infusion doesn't stop there. The organization is also expected to finalize a deal with their 2025 first-round selection, high school phenom Ethan Holliday. This consistent investment in high-end draft talent is creating a critical mass of prospects in the upper minors, a pipeline that has felt dry for far too long.
Look, nobody enjoys watching the team struggle to a 22-75 record. It's a grind. But Friday's news encapsulates the dual reality of being a Rockies fan right now. You endure the tough losses at the MLB level while keeping a close eye on the box scores from Hartford. The future of this organization is currently playing in Double-A, and with players like Thomas, Condon, and soon Holliday in the system, there's legitimate reason for optimism. The wins may not be coming in Denver yet, but they're happening where it matters most for the long-term health of the franchise.
