Denver Post sports writer Patrick Saunders with the latest installment of his Rockies Mailbag.
Pose a Rockies- or MLB-related question for the Rockies Mailbag.
This might seem sacrilegious, but it’s pretty obvious that Coors Field is the main roadblock (other than the Monforts) to the Rockies ever winning big. Do you ever see them building a domed stadium with some humidity inside (think of a giant humidor) to reduce the effects of pitching at altitude? The dome in Texas did wonders for the Rangers’ pitching staff and they were almost immediately rewarded with a title.
— Mike R., Highlands Ranch
Mike, I haven’t been asked that question in a long time.
I recall that longtime Denver Post sportswriter Irv Moss, who passed away in 2020, used to say that Coors Field should be converted into a domed stadium. I thought he was nuts. The ballpark’s appeal, and one of the main reasons people flock to Coors Field despite the team’s poor performance, is due to the glorious summer nights spent outdoors.
Plus, I don’t think it would be feasible to put a dome on Coors. To your point, would the Rockies ever build a new domed stadium? I don’t think so, and I don’t think taxpayers would vote to pay for it.
I did some digging and found that years ago, officials considered turning the ballpark into a dome and pressurizing it to mitigate the effects of Colorado’s thin air, but nothing ever came of it.
The late, great Tony Gwynn once said that hitting baseballs at Coors Field “was like hitting golf balls on the moon.” An exaggeration, of course, but we all get the point.
Some basic statistics illustrate the Coors Field effect since it opened in 1995 (entering this season):
• Average runs scored, per team/per game: 5.59 at Coors Field, 4.61 MLB average.
• Team batting average: .296 at Coors Field, .259 MLB average.
• Team on-base percentage: .361 at Coors Field, .327 MLB average.
• Team slugging percentage: .486 at Coors Field, .416 MLB average.
• Team OPS: .847 at Coors Field, .743 MLB average.
Bottom line: Baseball at altitude is always going to be a different game, and I don’t see a dome in the Rockies’ future.
Will the Rockies win 50 games this season?
— Ed Helinski, Auburn, N.Y.
Ed, as I write this, the Rockies are 37-94. They have 31 games left, meaning they would need to finish with a record of 13-18 to reach 50 wins. I don’t see that happening, not with such a demanding schedule in the final month. I’m sticking to my prediction that the Rockies will finish 47-115.
Hey Patrick, so what’s the future for Michael Toglia now? He tears it up in Albuquerque, but he can’t seem to figure it out in the majors. He’s 27 and a career slash of .202/.279/.392 is pretty pitiful for someone who’s supposed to be a centerpiece in the heart of the lineup. Warming Bernabel seems to have won one of the corner infield spots, and the other one seems to be waiting for Kyle Karros or Charlie Condon.
— Mark, Arvada
Mark, I think you’re right. Toglia’s long-term future with the Rockies is in doubt. At Triple-A Albuquerque this season, he’s slashed .327/.413/.615 with seven homers in 27 games. He’s struck out 31 times in 121 plate appearances (25.6% K rate). But his 38.3% K rate in the majors this season is a huge reason why he was demoted. Toglia simply has too many empty at-bats. Until he changes that, he’s a Quadruple-A player. Karros at third, with Bernabel or Condon at first base, seems like Colorado’s immediate future.
Patrick, since Dick Monfort likes to promote from within, what about Clint Hurdle as president of baseball operations for the Colorado Rockies? No one knows the Rockies organization better, and he knows what it takes to win, especially in Colorado. Maybe it’s coincidental, but I believe his presence in the Rockies’ dugout has had a positive impact on the Rockies’ improved play and at-bats in the second half. Thanks.
— Steve, Aurora
Steve, promoting Hurdle to president of baseball operations is an idea that’s been around for a while. I suppose it’s a possibility. Hurdle knows that game and he knows the Rockies, but I still believe that the Rockies need to bring in someone from outside the organization to change the direction of the franchise. We’ll see if that happens.
In the way-too-early list, who do you think the Rockies will roll out for their rotation and lineup next year? I feel like it’s Kyle Freeland, German Marquez, Chase Dollander and two openings. As for the lineup, it’s Hunter Goodman, Ezequiel Tovar, Jordan Beck, Brenton Doyle, and a whole lot of spots up for grabs.
— Mike, Denver
Mike, that’s a pretty good forecast, save for Marquez being in the rotation. He’ll be a free agent at the end of this season, and I don’t see him re-upping with Colorado. I think Marquez wants to see what it’s like to pitch outside of Colorado and maybe play for a winner. Of course, given his recent injury history, he won’t be able to secure the type of contract he was hoping for.
As I see it, the rotation for next season will be comprised Freeland, Dollander, Ryan Feltner (if he’s healthy), Tanner Gordon, and a pitcher to be named later. I know that Antonio Senzatela has one more year left on his contract, but I can’t see him being part of the rotation in 2026. He’s been really bad this season. Right now, the Rockies’ ’26 rotation looks incredibly shaky and the weakest part of the team.
This is how I see the ’26 lineup: catcher Hunter Goodman, first base Warming Bernabel, second base Ryan Ritter and/or Tyler Freeman, third base Kyle Karros, shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, left field Jordan Beck, center field Brenton Doyle, and right field Mickey Moniak and/or Freeman.
I’ll be curious to see if the Rockies attempt to add a slugger to their lineup during the offseason. A lot will depend on who’s running the front office, if owner Dick Monfort is willing to spend some money, and if the team can find a way to defer part of Kris Bryant’s contract.
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