Rockies lose 10-4 to the Guardians on July 30, 2025, as Kyle Manzardo stars for CLE. Despite the loss, see why prospects Zac Veen and Hunter Goodman are key.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was another one of *those* days for the Colorado Rockies. A 10-4 loss to the Cleveland Guardians, another rough outing for the pitching staff, and another tick in the loss column. But while the story at the major league level remains a frustrating one, the real action for the future of the franchise happened a few levels down.
The Rockies' pitching surrendered double-digit runs for the 31st time this season as the club's record dropped to a painful 28-79.
The series finale in Cleveland was a tough watch. Guardians slugger Kyle Manzardo had his way with Rockies pitching, launching two home runs to power a 10-run onslaught. It marked the 31st time this season the club has allowed 10 or more runs, a stat that tells the story of this 2025 campaign all by itself. One of the few consistent bright spots, Hunter Goodman, continues to swing a solid bat, but it wasn't nearly enough to overcome the pitching woes as the team's record sank to 28-79.
Meanwhile, in Double-A, the kids are showing off their power. Outfield prospect Zac Veen, the former first-round pick, blasted his sixth home run for the Hartford Yard Goats. Seeing Veen drive the ball consistently is a fantastic sign as he continues to work back from past injuries. He wasn't alone, as rising prospect Jared Thomas also went deep with a solo shot. Thomas, a second-round pick from 2024, is quickly making a name for himself and climbing the organizational ladder.
Perhaps the most exciting news of the week is the continued ascent of third baseman Kyle Karros. The 2023 fifth-rounder has been on a tear since his promotion to Triple-A Albuquerque, so much so that he's now considered a top-10 prospect in the system. Boasting a stellar .848 OPS with the Isotopes and playing impressive defense at the hot corner, Karros is looking like a potential long-term answer. He already smashed his first Triple-A homer on July 27, and his rapid rise is something every Rockies fan should be watching closely.
Look, nobody enjoys watching a 10-4 loss. But for a team in the thick of a rebuild, days like Wednesday are a dual narrative. The pain at the big league level is real, but the progress in the farm system is tangible. The power bats of Veen, Thomas, and Karros aren't just minor league highlights; they're signs of a potentially brighter future taking shape at Coors Field.
