Two Rockies catching prospects could make the opening day roster

When opening day rolls around, the Colorado Rockies know their starting catcher is going to be veteran Jacob Stallings.

But everybody also knows that in baseball, you need depth at the catcher position, and Colorado is spending this spring figuring out just who will be behind Stallings for another 162-game grind.

Colorado will most likley use the normal formula of carrying three catchers, though, the Rockies could get a two-for-one deal in utility man Hunter Goodman, who has been an interesting prospect as well.

Whichever way the Rockies go with their catchers though, a spot could be open this season for another top prospect in Drew Romo. 

Following a strong 2024, Romo was the No. 9 overall prospect in the organization according to most boards. And as the spring training got underway, he was projected to make the big league club. 

Still, that doesn’t mean that Romo has an opening day roster spot locked up. He, like many other young players, must use the Cactus League to prove himself worthy of a coveted roster selection, and perhaps more importantly, meaningful playing time at the big league level.

This spring, Romo, the 35th pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, has six at-bats, has scored a run and has an OBP/OPS of .250. Those numbers may not be eye-popping, but, Romo is considered a top catching prospect because of what he does with a pitching staff, and, because of his potential at the plate. Romo has shown flashes at the minor league level to not just be a big league catcher, but also a potential DH and utility hitter.

Romo is also just 23 years old, so the fact that he’s already had a big league call-up last summer and fall, and is in a legitimate race to make the opening day roster, means he’s not just turning heads now, but it also means his upside is such that, the Rockies have long-term plans for him.

And the future certainly looks good at catcher. The Rockies did sign Austin Nola to a minor league contract in the winter, and he’s fighting for a job as well, but, the upside for both Goodman and Romo may be too high to pass on when it comes to the 2025 opening day roster.