Thairo Estrada was signed ahead of this season to be the Colorado Rockies’ starting second baseman. Estrada had always played really well offensively at Coors Field, and would give 22-year-old Adael Amador more time to develop. But a right wrist fracture in spring training put a wrench in the Rockies’ (and Estrada’s) plans. Estrada missed the first 56 games of the season, forcing Amador into action early.
The Rockies’ Disaster at Second Base
It was blatantly obvious that Amador was not ready offensively or defensively. He hit just .155 in 89 at-bats during April and May, with 25 strikeouts to 10 walks and just five RBI. Amador finished with -3 outs above average defensively. Per FieldingBible.com, the Rockies were -11 in defensive runs saved at second base this season, exposing their razor-thin depth and contributing in a major way to their league-worst defense. Without Estrada, the Rockies started the season 9-47, desperately needing an answer at the position. Estrada was finally available on May 30, but never got going following his injury to begin the season.
While Estrada has been excellent defensively in his career, he struggled this season. He finished with -1 OAA, per Statcast. Offensively, Estrada raised his average and OPS from last season, but played in just 39 games. Estrada dealt with injuries in 2024, but still played in 96 games for the San Francisco Giants. His 39 games played this season were his lowest since playing in 52 games with the San Francisco Giants in 2021.
Estrada did play nearly all of June for Colorado and was a major upgrade at the position. In 82 June at-bats, he hit .305/.330/.415 with a respectable .744 OPS. His major power potential at Coors did not arrive, but he was productive with 12 RBI, including going 4-15 with four RBI and two runs against the Giants at Coors from June 10-12.
Estrada began July strongly, but suffered a left thumb sprain that caused him to miss a couple of weeks. He would return for about 10 games but again went on the 10-day IL with a right hamstring strain on August 6, which proved to be the end of his disappointing season. If Estrada does not return next season, the Rockies’ plan for him at second could not have gone any worse.
Depth Options are Limited
Alongside Estrada and Amador, utility players Kyle Farmer, Tyler Freeman, and Orlando Arcia combined for 71 appearances at second this season. Freeman had a very solid season offensively, but spent most of his time defensively in the outfield. Outside of August, Arcia struggled mightily offensively. Farmer was largely relied on for depth this season and hit just .227 across 277 at-bats. At age 35, the Rockies will likely decline Farmer’s $4 million mutual option for 2026. Arcia was signed to help fill the hole at second left by Estrada. He is also unlikely to return, as he is now an unrestricted free agent at age 31.
Freeman was horrible defensively, finishing in the bottom one percent of Major League Baseball with -13 OAA. But he is still an intriguing option next season due to his excellent season offensively. For a Rockies team sorely in need of offense, they can’t afford not to have Freeman’s bat in the lineup. While Freeman doesn’t hit for power, he takes great advantage of Coors’ spacious outfield. Freeman is also one of the best in the Rockies’ lineup when it comes to plate discipline.
At age 26, Freeman is still arbitration-eligible and lines up with the Rockies’ timeline. Additionally, with Ritter and Estrada both dealing with injuries this season, Freeman’s availability as a utility option is invaluable.
Youth Movement
Amador has yet to show consistent results in MLB, but was forced to play early this season due to Estrada’s injury. He will likely see some time at second again next season. But he has fallen behind Ryan Ritter in the pecking order. Still, Amador has yet to play more than 41 games in an MLB season and is only 22.
First career home run for Adael Amador
pic.twitter.com/4Bb0EzfHLe
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) April 26, 2025
Ritter earned a call-up in early June due to his scorching play offensively with Triple-A Albuquerque. While he played at shortstop initially with Ezequiel Tovar injured, Ritter served as the Rockies’ everyday second baseman for the final month of the season. He was much better defensively than Amador, finishing with 1 OAA. Ritter also showed a higher ceiling offensively, but did have an ice-cold September to finish the season. Second base is wide open depending on what the Rockies do with Estrada this offseason. But considering Ritter is still only 24 and showed potential this season, he should be the frontrunner heading into the spring.
Roc Riggio & Thairo Estrada
In the Jake Bird trade with the New York Yankees, Roc Riggio was one of the prospects heading to Colorado. Riggio is currently the only second baseman in the Rockies’ top 30, ranking 10th. MLB Pipeline projects Riggio to make his MLB debut next season. The 23-year-old is projected as an average defender at second, but has potential offensively. He is seen as an aggressive base runner with raw power to all fields. He hit .256 with two home runs and 14 RBI in 26 games this season with Hartford. Barring major injuries, the Rockies can afford to give Riggio more time to develop in the minors. If he has a solid season offensively, look for Riggio as a potential call-up candidate in the second half of the season.
Meanwhile, what to do with Estrada will be one of the big decisions for the Rockies’ new general manager. Ritter showed potential this season and makes more sense age-wise at second base for the rebuilding Rockies. But behind Ritter, there is very little depth. If Ritter has a sophomore slump, without Estrada, the Rockies would be forced to potentially play Riggio or Amador too early. It is unlikely Estrada would sign on for another season to be a depth option. But he has great numbers at Coors in his career. If given the opportunity again and he has a solid first half with Colorado and proves he can stay healthy, Estrada could be an attractive trade piece for the Rockies at the deadline.
Main Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
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