Dark horses to make the Rockies' opening day roster

The Colorado Rockies are going to be a young team come March 28 and Opening Day 2025 in Tampa Bay.

But could they get even younger than expected?

For that to happen, several top prospects would have to make the opening day roster, and while Colorado seems poised to go with much of their most experienced players when spring training breaks in late March, there are some position players who will make those front office decisions more difficult.

Among the candidates pushing for a big league roster spot after one week of Cactus League play is Zac Veen. He’s already belted a couple of homers and has four hits in 10 spring at-bats. Veen has spent much of his brief minor-league career with injury setbacks, but, his talent is unmistakable, and while he wasn’t projected to make the opening day roster before spring training started, he’s really making a case for it now, and certainly him staying hot will make the Rockies have to think about being one of the outfielders they keep on the big club.

The outfield is crowded in Denver, but, so too are the Rockies’ minor league system, as the organization is teaming with outstanding prospects.

Veen may lead the way, but two other young stars are making a case for big league consideration in Yanquiel Fernandez, the Rockies’ No. 5 prospect and Cole Carrigg. Carrigg is perhaps the longest of shots to make the big league roster, but, he’s been shining so far in the Cactus League, and if the Rockies’ outfield wasn’t so talented, they might be even more inclined to fast track he, Veen and Fernandez to the big leagues sooner rather then later.

As for infielders, things are bit more muddied there. The likes of Michael Toglia (1B), newly-acquired Thairo Estrada (2B), star Ezequiel Tovar (SS) and Ryan McMahon (3B) all knows as players who like to play a ton of games without days off, the Rockies seem set on keeping Kyle Farmer on the big club, as well as Sam Hilliard, who can play as many as four positions. That really leaves just one spot on the roster, for either one of the full-time outfield prospects mentioned above, or another utility player. Aaron Schunk, who was designated for assignment, but is still a possibility, or there is a prospect who is another dark horse for the big league club. Adael Amador, who can play short or second if needed is an interesting prospect. Amador has eight spring at-bats so far and is another good prospect playing well in Cactus League play.

Of course, the makeup of thew roster will determine if any of Colorado’s top prospects get the opening-day nod, but, at the very least, players like Veen, Fernandez and Amador among others, are certainly making enough noise so far in spring training that they’re giving Black and the Rockies’ brass plenty to think about.

Note: Later this week, I’ll take a look at catching prospects pushing for a roster spot this spring.