As the Rockies face the Orioles on July 25, 2025, the focus shifts to the future. See how Mickey Moniak, Kyle Karros & Jared Thomas signal a new team era.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Another Friday night, another Rockies game. As the team kicked off a series in Baltimore, the 26-76 record tells a familiar story of struggle. But for fans searching for a silver lining, the real action isn't just happening under the lights at Camden Yards. It's happening on TV interviews, in the minor league box scores, and in the front office, where the blueprint for the future is being drafted in real-time ahead of the trade deadline.
Prospect Jared Thomas earned his promotion to Double-A by posting an impressive .891 OPS.
One of the season's brightest spots, outfielder Mickey Moniak, took his story national on Friday, appearing on MLB Network's 'Intentional Talk.' He detailed the offseason mechanical and mental adjustments that have fueled his 2025 campaign. Moniak gave significant credit to the Rockies' coaching staff for helping him unlock a more consistent and powerful approach at the plate, a testament to the player development that will be crucial for the team's long-term success.
The good news from the player development front continued down on the farm. The organization announced two significant promotions, with 2023 fifth-rounder Kyle Karros moving up to Triple-A Albuquerque. After battling back from an injury, the third baseman has been tearing it up, posting a stellar .848 OPS. He's joined on the fast track by 2024 second-rounder Jared Thomas, whose own impressive numbers earned him a ticket to Double-A Hartford. These moves show the system is beginning to churn out talent, a vital sign for a rebuilding club.
These promotions couldn't come at a more critical time. With top prospects Chase Dollander and Adael Amador having graduated to the majors this season, the farm system is in a state of flux. MLB Pipeline's latest rankings reflect this, with newer names like compensation pick Max Belyeu (now ranked 11th) rising. With the Rockies' MLB struggles making them obvious sellers, the expectation is that the front office will be busy acquiring a new wave of prospects to restock the system and accelerate the rebuild.
Back at the major league level, the Rockies entered their series against the formidable Baltimore Orioles riding a modest two-game winning streak. While the challenge is steep, it's another opportunity for players to make their case. All eyes were on slugger Hunter Goodman, who came into the night with a team-leading 18 home runs and 56 RBI. While the final score from Camden Yards wasn't yet in as of this writing, Goodman's performance remains a key barometer for the current roster's offensive potential.
As the weekend series in Baltimore unfolds, the bigger story will be what happens off the field. The next week leading up to the trade deadline will be pivotal. Will the front office leverage its few veteran pieces to acquire the high-ceiling talent needed for the future? For Rockies fans, the focus has shifted from the nightly box score to the long-game, hoping that the glimmers of hope from players like Moniak, Karros, and Thomas are just the beginning of a brighter era in Colorado.
