The Colorado Rockies have a lot of work ahead of them before they can be a winning baseball team again. But some positions are in more dire circumstances than others. Right now, the Rockies’ league-worst rotation is the most pressing need on the roster. Meanwhile, the Rockies’ bullpen is in a great spot, and catcher and shortstop should be locked down for the immediate future. The Rockies outfield, however, is currently in a sort of in-between.
The Rockies’ Crowded Outfield
Per ESPN, there are currently eight outfielders listed on the Rockies roster. The oldest is Troy Johnston, 28, who was claimed off waivers from the Miami Marlins this offseason. The youngest is Yanquiel Fernandez, 22, while three of them are 24. It is a young group with potential and more depth than other parts of the Rockies’ roster. But behind Mickey Moniak and Brenton Doyle, there is more of a reliance on potential than proven talent.
Tyler Freeman could arguably be included with Doyle and Moniak after having a career year offensively this season with Colorado. But that did coincide with a career-worst season defensively for Freeman. He will have to prove that this season was not a one-off offensively, as his .281 batting average was far and away a career high. But here’s betting his solid offensive play will continue. Freeman’s hit-for-contact style was a boon for the Rockies and was a perfect marriage with Coors’ vast outfield.
Jordan Beck, 24, had a much better season offensively this year, following a rookie campaign in which he hit .188. He started 148 games in left field for the Rockies this season. An important step in itself, as Beck’s rookie season was interrupted by a broken left hand that kept him out for two-plus months.
Beck raised his average to .258 and increased his OPS from well below average (.521) to right around league average (.732). Additionally, he was second on the team with 139 hits, tied for third with 16 home runs, and fourth with 53 RBI. He had a quiet end to the season, hitting just .213 with a .573 OPS in 89 September at-bats. But he did enough throughout the season to be looked at as the frontrunner to start in left this season alongside Doyle and Moniak.
The Wildcard in Charlie Condon
This is all before even mentioning Charlie Condon, 22, the Rockies’ second overall prospect, per MLB.com. Condon profiles as a corner outfielder with an above-average arm and power. But he may also get the opportunity this spring to earn the open slot at first base. Nevertheless, he is coming off a very strong performance in the Arizona Fall League and is certainly a player to monitor going forward. MLB.com currently projects Condon to debut next season.
Risk of Doing Nothing
The trio of Doyle, Moniak, and Beck in the outfield is good on paper. But with that trio starting for much of this season, the Rockies still finished a league-worst 43-119. They had more pressing problems than their outfield. However, the point is that without roster improvements elsewhere, the Rockies will face the same results, regardless of how their outfield performs. This opens the discussion to possible moves involving the Rockies’ outfield.
Moniak left much to be desired defensively, but like Freeman, also had a career-year offensively. With the offense Moniak and Freeman provide, they had to be fixtures in the Rockies’ lineup. But the Rockies’ right field position ranked as one of the worst defensive positions in Major League Baseball this season.
Doyle getting back to his 2024 self offensively would help the Rockies outfield the most. He will always provide top-notch play defensively in center. But when Doyle is clicking offensively, he becomes a true five-tool player, as he is also one of the fastest players in MLB. But will Doyle still be in Colorado by the time next season starts?
Will the Rockies Trade Doyle?
One possible solution for the Rockies’ logjam has arisen recently. There is widespread interest in Doyle’s services, per a report from Ari Alexander of 7News Boston. Rockies President of Baseball Operations Paul DePodesta lauded Doyle’s potential and said he understands why there will continue to be heavy interest in Doyle.
But with Doyle still just 27, it remains a question whether trading him is the answer. The Rockies would be hard-pressed to find a player to replace him. Yes, he just had a down season offensively. But he is also arguably the greatest Rockies’ defensive center fielder of all time. However, if Doyle could net them a significant package that includes starting pitching help, the Rockies might find the move worth it. DePodesta said this offseason, all avenues will be explored when it comes to finding starting pitching help.
If the Rockies decide not to trade Doyle, any trade involving a Rockies outfielder becomes harder to envision. Based on his immense upside, Doyle would far and away command the best package out of the Rockies’ outfielders. Packaging Beck and Moniak in a deal would also likely net a strong return. That would put a lot of pressure on the Rockies’ depth, forcing unproven players into major playing time right away.
But if trading proven veteran talent improves the Rockies’ pitching for the future, would an immediate downgrade in the outfield this season be worth it? Especially when that means finding out what the Rockies have in their remaining young outfielders. Particularly, one young outfielder in the Rockies’ farm system could be a potential replacement for Doyle.
The Swiss Army Knife: Cole Carrigg
Cole Carrigg, 23, currently at Double-A Hartford, is ranked by MLB.com as the Rockies’ number three overall prospect. Carrigg, a switch-hitter, was drafted by Colorado in the 2023 Competitive Balance Round B out of San Diego State University. He was utilized as a Swiss Army Knife for the Aztecs, and has continued that in the Rockies’ Minor League system.
Carrigg plays everywhere from catcher to shortstop to the outfield. But in 2025, he played center field primarily, playing in 99 games at that position. Like Doyle, he grades out as having well above average arm talent and above average speed. In 2024 with High-A Spokane, he finished second in the Northwest League with an impressive 51 stolen bases in 111 games.
Cole Carrigg with the leadoff HEAT 🔥 pic.twitter.com/H8Lu0whw8i
— Hartford Yard Goats (@GoYardGoats) June 24, 2025
Like Doyle, he would immediately become one of the Rockies’ top base-stealing threats. More importantly, Carrigg possesses the tools to take over the mantle of being the Rockies’ center fielder. He hit 15 home runs in 477 at-bats with Double-A Hartford this season, reportedly drawing more power from the left side of the plate. His speed also makes him a constant extra-base threat, an intriguing possibility at Coors.
Five-Tool Potential
Carrigg’s five-tool potential has rightfully earned him his current place in the Rockies’ prospect rankings. He is projected by MLB.com to debut in 2026 despite not reaching Triple-A yet. If the Rockies do deal Doyle, they could always move Moniak to center and give Carrigg time to develop behind him. But after the disastrous season defensively in right field, it’s scary to think about Moniak as the primary option in center at Coors.
But maybe the Rockies would put Carrigg out there right away and hope his defensive tools carry him while he works on his offense. After all, Doyle earned a Gold Glove in his rookie season in 2023 while barely hitting over the Mendoza line in 126 games. Maybe the Rockies put Carrigg on the same path and hope his bat catches up to his glove in his sophomore season, just like Doyle’s did.
Good Problem to Have
No matter what the Rockies decide, their current outfield situation is a good problem to have. There is intriguing young talent eager to earn more playing time and carve out roles in MLB. Fernandez played in 52 games this season and has a lot to work on offensively. But he also has one of the strongest arms in MLB, ranking in the 100th percentile (per Statcast) with an arm strength of 97.2 mph.
Not to mention the pair of 24-year-olds in Zac Veen and Sterlin Thompson. Veen made his long-awaited debut last season and struggled offensively, resulting in a short stay. But he kept his head down and put together a great season with Triple-A Albuquerque. Both players were stellar offensively in Triple-A and are right on the cusp of the big leagues. If both perform well this spring, it would not be surprising to see either of them make the Opening Day roster.
Rockies Could Get Creative When It Comes to Playing Time
If the Rockies decide not to make any moves, they could get creative with doling out playing time. One solution could be playing Moniak more at designated hitter. He played in just 15 games at DH this season. But his -12 fielding run value was in the bottom two percent in MLB, per Statcast. With the offensive production Moniak provides, why even worry about him defensively? Moniak could still spell Doyle occasionally in center, and this would open up a spot for Fernandez to utilize his arm strength in right, provided Fernandez can play well enough offensively to stay in the lineup consistently.
There are lots of options in front of the Rockies. They can make moves that significantly alter the current makeup of their outfield, potentially providing sorely needed starting pitching help in the process. Or they can make marginal moves and largely roll out the same group as last season. Whatever the Rockies decide to do with their surplus of outfielders, it will be very intriguing to watch as the offseason progresses.
Main Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images