Rockies’ Early Success Validates Warren Schaeffer Hire

When it comes to firing a coach or mentioning the name in the media or any news outlet, it can cause a major distraction. We haven’t been hearing anything negative to that extent about Schaeffer. If anything, we are seeing positive results because the Rockies are making headlines for the right reasons, once again, after this weekend.

Colorado won back-to-back games against the Los Angeles Dodgers, which no other team has done this season. A team that won back-to-back World Series titles with a stacked roster lost back-to-back to a team that finished last in the division last year. 

Schaeffer, 41, is one of the reasons why the Rockies were able to accomplish goals this weekend. His decision-making and ability to inspire his players to play hard and smart became key ingredients.

Schaeffer also had his players, such as Kyle Karros step up offensively. Mickey Moniak and Edouard Julien combined for 5-for-10 with 6 RBIs on Sunday afternoon. It takes a little bit of everything and everyone to bring a victory to the franchise.

We are living in a time in sports when front-office personnel don’t have enough patience for coaches and managers. It’s disheartening and unfair to fire a coach or manager after one season. Not everything can be solved in one year. For any manager coming to a new team, they should be given at least three years to see if the team makes progress. A manager can only do so much. 

When a manager sticks around for a few seasons, it fosters greater familiarity and camaraderie between the manager and the player. Players need a structure and consistent voice in the clubhouse. Schaeffer is not an elite manager yet. He’s only getting started. The front office should continue to put their full trust in him, especially if the team continues to surprise us with the victories they’ve been having lately. 

Rockies Making Strides in 2026

In addition, the Rockies are in a much better position than last season at this point. The Rockies are 9-13. Yes, they’re tied with the San Francisco Giants for last place in the division. However, the Rockies didn’t reach nine wins until May 23rd of last year. 

In the 2025 campaign, the Rockies’ pitching staff was the worst in MLB. So far in 2026, the new and updated staff holds a 4.14 team ERA, which ranks No. 19 in MLB. The team's WHIP is 1.39 with 193.1 innings pitched. The improvements go all the way across the line.

When judging Schaeffer and his success so far, one would be lacking if run differential wasn’t considered. Colorado was the laughing stock of MLB in 2025 when they finished the season with a -424. That was the worst of any team since 1900.

So far this season, the team has a -10 run differential. It’s early in the year, but that is a massive improvement and certainly worth noting. Schaeffer, the entire coaching staff, and the front office have to recognize their strides so far.

The Rockies are looking to make it three in a row against the Dodgers today, which will be a top headline for tomorrow’s baseball news.