The Rockies face the Nationals on June 16, 2025. As Hunter Goodman shines, the big league club struggles while future star Robert Calaz dominates the minors.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The grind of a long season continues for the Colorado Rockies, who kicked off a four-game series in the nation's capital on Monday. Staring down a daunting 13-57 record, the Rox sent lefty Carson Palmquist to the mound against the Nationals' Jake Irvin, hoping to find a spark. But as the big-league club struggles to generate offense, the real story of hope for this franchise might be brewing hundreds of miles away in the minor leagues.
Outfield prospect Robert Calaz capped an MVP season and Triple Crown in the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League, a sign of the elite talent developing in the Rockies' system.
The Rockies began their four-game set against the Washington Nationals facing a familiar challenge: scoring runs. Entering the contest averaging just 3.4 runs per game on a paltry .224 team batting average, the offense has been the team's Achilles' heel. On the mound, starter Carson Palmquist (0-4, 7.77 ERA) was tasked with taming the Nats and giving the bats a chance to wake up. With a team ERA of 5.62, every start feels like an uphill battle, and this crucial road trip is no different as the team looks to build any sort of positive momentum.
In a lineup searching for consistency, Hunter Goodman has been the one reliable anchor. As of Monday, he leads the club in nearly every significant offensive category: batting average (.284), home runs (11), and RBIs (40). While the team as a whole has struggled to find its rhythm, Goodman's performance has been a solitary bright spot, providing a glimmer of power and production that the Rockies will need to build around if they hope to turn things around.
While the present may be challenging, the future looks incredibly promising, especially in the outfield. The organization is buzzing about 2024's No. 3 overall pick Charlie Condon, who signed a record $9.25 million bonus. He's joined by rising stars like Robert Calaz, who dominated the ACL, and Yanquiel Fernandez, who is tearing it up at Double-A. Fernandez, in particular, is a name to watch, as a strong showing could punch his ticket to Coors Field later this season, offering a much-needed infusion of talent and hope.
It's another tough stretch for the Rockies, and the series in D.C. will be a test of resolve. While we wait for a spark from the current roster, all eyes are on the farm system. The potential arrival of a player like Yanquiel Fernandez later this year could be the injection of excitement this team—and its fanbase—desperately needs. Here's to hoping for a competitive series and a glimpse of that brighter future.
