Rock Bottom: Colorado Rockies Endure Historically Poor Start to 2025 Season
The Colorado Rockies' 2025 season has been historically challenging, with a record of 9–45 as of May 28th. Marking the worst 50-game start in modern MLB history. This performance surpasses the 7–43 start of the 1895 Louisville Colonels, which places the Rockies on pace for a record-setting 136 losses. This could potentially match the record of 134 set by the 1899 Cleveland Spiders. The team's struggles are visible both offensively and defensively by being ranked second-worst in runs scored per game at 3.28 and the worst in runs allowed at 6.46. They also lead the league in strikeouts with 488 and recorded the fewest strikeouts pitched with 322, along with 45 errors.
In response to the team's poor performance, managerial changes were made, including the firing of Bud Black on May 11th, after a disastrous 21–0 loss to the Padres. Warren Schaeffer was appointed as the interim manager, but the team has only marginally improved, going 2–9 under his leadership. With these changes, there is hope for an uprising for this team. However, the Rockies continue to struggle with having lost 17 consecutive series and only achieving back-to-back wins once this season.
On the player front, injuries have plagued the team, with high-profile players like Kris Bryant sidelined due to chronic back issues. Bryant has played just 170 games over three seasons, despite being the team's highest-paid player. However, there have been some bright spots, such as Ezequiel Tovar's impressive performance on May 17th. He recorded his first five-hit game, going five for six with a home run and a triple in a 14–12 win over the Diamondbacks.
Looking ahead, the Rockies face a daunting schedule. They are projected to post the worst record in franchise history, with Baseball Prospectus' PECOTA simulations predicting an average of just 55.5 wins for the season. Despite the challenges, the team hopes that the development of young players like Tovar and Brenton Doyle can lay the foundation for future success. Doyle, for instance, won his second consecutive Gold Glove in 2024 and was named the National League Player of the Month for July.
In summary, the 2025 season has been a loud one for the Colorado Rockies, marked by a historically poor start, managerial changes, and key player injuries. While the team faces an uphill battle, the emergence of young talent offers a glimmer of hope for the future. There is still time to overturn their season for this year. Hopefully, this is the start of the Rockies finding success for their future.
