Five reasons why the Rockies are still likely to finish last in the N.L. West

Optimisim surrounding the Colorado Rockies is high. Of course, that’s spring training optimisim, and in that case, everybody is riding high.

The fact of the matter is, the Rockies haven’t had a winning season in five years, and they’re coming off a year in which they won just 61 games, and finished dead last in almost every pitching category that would matter.

So, there’s stilll negativity surrounding the Rockies as the fan base has certainly had to endure alot of losing in recent years.

The Rockies also play in the National League West, which means they are buried in one of the toughest divisions in all of baseball. So, while players like Ezequiel Tovar, Michael Togllia, Brenton Doyle and a bevy of young players are exciting to watch, and, Colorado has top rated pitchers finally returning from injury, the fact of the matter is, it’s going to be extemeley difficult for the Rockies to gain much ground in 2025, no matter how much they seem to be improving.

With that said, here’s five reasons why the Rockies are still likely to finish last in the N.L. West for the fifth straight season.

5. The Rockies didn’t make big enough moves in the offseason.

The club is certainly high on its prospects, but, Colorado is already really young, and relying on even younger, more inexperienced players isn’t the answer. Of course, Colorado owner Dick Monfort isn’t in the business if pursuing big names often and the Rockies stood pat on that in the winter of 2024. Thairo Estrada was a nice addition, but overall, Colorado didn’t make much of a splash in signings, and that will show as the season goes on.

4. The Giants and Diamondbacks are still really tough to move in front of.

Colorado could very well be more talented overall then both San Francisco and Arizona, at least on paper. But, the Rockies have yet to prove it on the field, and it will be tough to do again this season. There’s no reason to think Colorado can’t contend with both teams, but, they finshed 19 games behind the Giants and 28 games behind the D-Backs last season, so, while Colorado has an exciting and talented roster, they still have a lot of catching up to do.

3. The top prospects aren’t quite ready.

Colorado has some really exciting players in the farm system. Chase Dollander, Zac Veen, Adeal Amador, Yanquiel Fernandez and a bevy of others have all made headlines this spring, But few, if any, seem totally ready to earn a big-league roster spot, and as spring training rolls on, they’ll lose playing time as opening day nears. So as exciting as some of Colorado’s best minor-leaguers appear to be, they aren’t ready to help the big league club make a big leap this season.

2. Maybe the Rockies’ pitching isn’t as improved as originally thought.

The Rockies’ staff is going to make or break the season. And if the last three spring training games are any indication, Colorado’s pitching staff, starters and releivers, may have another rough season. Still, it’s too early to write Colorado’s pitching off, and Kyle Freeland and Antonio Senzatela have had nice starts, and Jefry Yan is a bullpen sensation, but, the Rockies have had pitching woes for years now, and if that doesn’t turn around, they won’t turn around either.

1. The Rockies have to play the Dodgers and Padres alot.

The fact that Colorado has to face two of the best teams in baseball as division rivals speaks for itself. Both L.A. and San Diego made moves to get better then they already were, so, making any headway in what is the best division in the national league is going to be really, really tough.