The Braves routed the Rockies 12-4 on June 14, 2025, as homers from Marcell Ozuna and Michael Harris II erased an early lead. Is the Rockies' future in the minors?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a familiar story at Coors Field on Friday night. A promising start, a flash of offense, and then the inevitable avalanche from a superior opponent. The Rockies jumped out to an early 4-0 lead against the mighty Atlanta Braves, only to see it evaporate in a 12-4 thumping. As the team's record sinks to a historically bleak 12-55, it's becoming clearer than ever that the real story for fans isn't just about the grim results in Denver, but about the seeds of hope being planted down on the farm.
Shortstop Ryan Ritter had a May to remember, hitting .381/.445/.918 with 12 home runs, leading all of minor league baseball in homers and total bases.
For a few innings, it looked like the Rockies might pull off a stunner. Ezequiel Tovar continued his solid season, lacing a two-run double as part of a four-run burst that put Colorado ahead. But the good vibes didn't last. The Braves' potent lineup woke up, with Marcell Ozuna and Michael Harris II each launching three-run homers that turned the game on its head. The Rockies' bullpen couldn't stop the bleeding, surrendering six more runs and sealing another lopsided defeat.
On the mound for the Rockies was prized rookie Chase Dollander, who got a harsh lesson from one of the league's best offenses. The right-hander showed flashes of the stuff that made him a top prospect, striking out five Braves over four innings. However, he was also tagged for six runs (five earned) on seven hits. It was a classic 'welcome to the big leagues' moment, a tough but necessary step in the development of a potential future ace. While his ERA ticked up to 3.38, these are the lumps a young pitcher on a rebuilding team must endure.
If you're looking for a reason to be optimistic, you have to look beyond the box scores at Coors Field. The June prospect update is brimming with good news. Shortstop Ryan Ritter is putting up video game numbers, leading all of the minors in homers (12) and total bases (89) in May with a staggering .918 slugging percentage. He's not alone. Right-hander Gabriel Hughes is looking sharp in his return from Tommy John surgery and could be a call-up candidate soon. Keep an eye on third baseman Kyle Karros, lefty Sean Sullivan, and the recently promoted Lebarron Johnson Jr., who are all making waves. This infusion of talent is the real prize at the end of this painful season.
Watching the 2025 Rockies is an exercise in patience. The losses are piling up, and nights like the one against the Braves are tough. But the bigger picture is slowly coming into focus. The development of players like Dollander at the major league level, combined with the explosive potential of prospects like Ritter and Hughes, is what this season is truly about. The wins may be scarce now, but the foundation for a more competitive future is being laid, one painful loss and one promising minor league performance at a time.
