Former Rockies top prospect faces an uphill battle for 2026 Opening Day roster

Not long ago, many Rockies fans were eager for this international prospect who signed a $1.5 million bonus to join the team in Colorado.

That prospect was Adael Amador. He debuted as the No. 23 prospect in Colorado's system during the 2020 season. He performed well enough in the minors to finish as Colorado's No. 1 prospect in 2024, just ahead of No. 2 prospect Chase Dollander.

In 2023, Amador quickly advanced from rookie ball to Double-A, posting a slash line of .287/.380/.495 with 12 home runs, 15 doubles, 46 RBIs, and 39 walks in 69 games between the three levels.

He transitioned from shortstop to second base as the Rockies expressed high hopes for another infield prospect, Ezequiel Tovar, aiming for a potential dynamic one-two punch between the two players.

However, Amador's time in the big leagues hasn't gone as planned since his major league debut on June 9, 2024, against the St. Louis Cardinals.

He has played in 51 games for the Rockies since then, appearing in various stints. He is batting .176 with eight doubles, one home run, 10 RBIs, and 12 walks in 148 at-bats.

His struggles to adapt to major league pitching have been evident over the past two seasons, making this spring training crucial for his future with the team.

Amador began spring training strong, hitting .308 with one home run, two RBIs, and two walks in February. However, March has been a struggle for the switch-hitter, as he's hitting just .190 with one home run.

Amador is in a tough spot, particularly given the infield talent Colorado currently possesses.

Based on current information, Tovar and Kyle Karros are likely to handle the left side of the infield. Willi Castro is expected to start at second base, with Tyler Freeman also potentially seeing some time there.

The Rockies acquired Edouard Julien from the Minnesota Twins this offseason. With Julien's ability to play both first and second base, Amador now faces a challenging situation given the team's increased depth.

Amador is currently listed on the team's 40-man roster, which gives him a significant edge to make the team, barring infield injuries. However, his future with the Rockies seems uncertain at this time.