SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Nick Martini's consistent offensive spring and Jordan Beck's strong recent work in Spring Training earned them spots on the Rockies’ Opening Day roster. Dynamic No. 8 prospect Zac Veen will begin the year at Triple-A Albuquerque.
Rockies manager Bud Black announced the 26-man roster on Sunday, the day before camp breaks, although it won’t become official until just before the season opens on Friday against the Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla.
The outfield was the area of most intrigue for Rockies fans, especially after the team acquired versatile Tyler Freeman from the Guardians for outfielder Nolan Jones. Freeman will share time at second base with Kyle Farmer, and both could be used around the infield to spell third baseman Ryan McMahon and shortstop Ezequiel Tovar. Freeman is capable of playing center field, although the presence of two-time Gold Glove Award winner Brenton Doyle makes that less necessary.
Martini (1.067 Spring Training OPS), Beck (four homers) and Sean Bouchard (1.089 spring OPS) will get starts in the corners, with Martini most likely in right while Beck covers the larger left field at Coors.
The biggest question for Rockies fans looking for the next new blood: Would there be a spot for Veen, a 2020 first-round pick who batted .298 with two home runs, four doubles, two triples and nine stolen bases in 25 Spring Training games?
On a related note, what would become of Sam Hilliard, who struggled with strikeouts this spring but had an .812 OPS in a part-time role in the Majors in 2024 and is considered a strong and experienced defender?
It turned out Hilliard’s skillset kept him on the team, while Veen will return to Triple-A. Last year at Double-A Hartford and Triple-A Albuquerque, plus time rehabbing a thumb injury, Veen hit .258 with 11 home runs and 35 RBIs in 65 games.
“He will go to Triple-A to hone his skills,” Black said of Veen. “Last year in Triple-A, Zac had 90 [plate appearances], and actually Zac only had 270 [plate appearances] in the Minor Leagues last year. Zac hit .220 in Triple-A and there are still some things he needs to focus on.
“The strikeout rate was a little high here [19 in 57 at-bats], facing Major League pitchers in Arizona. Zac realizes that it’s probably a little more time needed in the Minors before he potentially gets an opportunity. Hopefully, he’ll force that by how he plays.”
Essentially, the Rockies determined Veen is better served playing all the time, rather than splitting time in the Majors, or playing the role of Hilliard (who has homered twice recently) -- with rare starts and occasional late-game substitution duty.
The left-handed-hitting Martini and right-handed-hitting Beck, who struggled early before making better contact late in camp, and Bouchard, a consistent performer throughout, will receive their starting opportunities in the corners.
“Nick Martini showed very well -- he brings an element to our club not unlike what Jake Cave brought last year, as a fan favorite that Jake Cave became,” Black said. “Sean Bouchard had a good spring and Brenton Doyle will man center.
“Jordan Beck made a little bit of a push here lately with four home runs. He’s playing good defense. He had the experience coming up last year. Unfortunately he broke his hand, but we think he’s ready to make that next step of development.”
With the Rockies going with four starters to begin the season -- lefty Kyle Freeland, followed by righties Ryan Feltner, Germán Márquez and Antonio Senzatela, while lefty Austin Gomber will begin the year on the injured list as he builds shoulder health -- Black said righty Bradley Blalock will be the long reliever in the bullpen.
Righty Jake Woodford, a competitor with Blalock, exercised the release clause in his contract and became a free agent, while veteran reliever Diego Castillo accepted reassignment to Minor League camp, which means he will begin the season with Triple-A Albuquerque.
Black also said he is happy designated hitter Kris Bryant “feels good physically” as he comes back from chronic back injuries. The Rockies will use Bryant sparingly in the outfield and at first base, where Michael Toglia rarely needs time off.
"[Bryant’s] back has been the focus for the last six months, the latter part of last year, into the offseason and here in Spring Training,” Black said. “He’s confident that he’s ready to go.”
Gomber update
In his second start of a Spring Training affected by left shoulder soreness, lefty Austin Gomber threw 54 pitches, 35 strikes over 3 2/3 innings on Saturday against the Cubs. He will pitch on Friday for Triple-A Albuquerque at Sacramento as he builds toward joining the rotation on April 8 at Coors Field against the Athletics.
Gomber yielded two homers to the Cubs’ Seiya Suzuki, who has always dominated their Cactus League matchups, and evaluated the outing positively.
"I felt physically good, just a little rusty with the secondary stuff and landing it for strikes,” Gomber said. “I thought I had a good fastball -- I beat a lot of guys with fastballs. For the first time out in a big league game in a while against what seemed like their Opening Day lineup, I felt pretty good for what I had.”