Rockies Eyeing More Promotions with the Success of Bernabel and Karros

DENVER, Colo. –– At the end of 2024 season, Warming Bernabel and Kyle Karros were a pair of prospects that felt a ways from contributing to the Colorado Rockies in 2025.

One had been designated for assignment earlier in the year while the other had yet to see a pitch above High-A.

Now, both are having success in the Majors and changing opinions on how the Rockies organization should consider promotions from the upper levels of the minor leagues. 

“We have to look for those opportunities to bring young players up to succeed and that’s how we’re going to be good in the future,” interim manager Warren Schaeffer said. “That’s how we’re going to take off.”

Bernabel was considered a top prospect for the organization a few years ago. He was added to the 40-man roster in Nov. 2022 and stayed there all of 2023 where he struggled when healthy at Double-A Hartford. That offseason, he was shot during a failed robbery attempt. Three months later, he was taken off the 40-man roster. 

The 23-year-old from the Dominican Republic played much better with Hartford in 2024 before performing at Triple-A Albuquerque. He walked more, struck out less, found more holes in the defense and played first base at an increased rate.

With an open roster spot following the trade of Ryan McMahon to the New York Yankees, the Isotopes leader in batting average (.301) was given his Major League moment. Bernabel recorded a hit in 12 of his first 14 games, including 10 extra-base hits over that span. 

That kind of performance is second only in franchise history to Trevor Story. Coincidentally, when Bernabel won the National League Player of the Week Award during his first full week of his big league career, the former Rockies shortstop was named the American League winner. 

Karros may come as less of a surprise. The 2024 Northwest League MVP finished one home run shy of winning the Triple Crown and won the Minor League Gold Glove Award as the best defender at third base. After one full-season in the minors, the son of 14-year veteran Eric Karros earned an invitation to spring training and impressed then-manager Bud Black. 

Over 75 games this season played mostly at Double-A but including the Arizona Complex League and Triple-A, the fifth-round selection in 2023 out of UCLA slashed .301/.398/.476 with 23 doubles, three triples, six home runs, 26 RBI, seven stolen bases and 40 walks before being promoted to the varsity squad for an August 8 debut.

“I always believe in merit, right? You earn your way. You should get shot. Should absolutely get shot. (Dugan) Darnell is the perfect example. Braxton (Fulford), good example. Bernabel, great example,” Schaeffer recounted. 

In a lost season where the all-time single-season record for losses is still within reach, Colorado has nothing to lose by giving more opportunities to those who might be politely rapping on the proverbial door, as opposed to knocking it down.

The Rockies have already debuted 12 players, tied for the franchise record, with No. 13 waiting in the wings during the final six weeks of the marathon. 

Here are four more prospects that could be called upon by GM Bill Schmidt to make their debut this season:

LHP Welinton Herrera

A Double-A left-handed reliever with a 2.32 ERA in his second season of affiliated baseball in America? Who wouldn’t be interested?

The 21-year-old affectionately nicknamed Beef was dominant at High-A Spokane (0.49 ERA, 18.1 IP) before receiving a May promotion to the Eastern League. Herrera posted a 1.37 ERA in June and July with Hartford before suffering a hiccup once the calendar turned to August. 

During the summer of his breakout season, he also recorded the final out for the NL in the Futures Game, earning a save in the process. 

OF Sterlin Thompson

Colorado born and University of Florida educated, Thompson was taken 31st overall in the 2022 MLB Draft with the compensation pick the Rockies received when Story rejected their qualifying offer and signed with the Boston Red Sox.

The 24-year-old is having one of his finest minor league campaigns with the Triple-A Isotopes three years after being selected. Batting .292 with an .894 OPS, Thompson’s bat is hitting how many in the organization envisioned.

Colorado will find a place for him, but where exactly could be the conundrum. He played some second base in college, but has stepped away from the infield altogether after spending 13 games on the dirt last season at various stations. 

After having 10 different players considered outfielders on the 40-man roster earlier this season, the Rockies are down to six, with five on the active 26-man roster. Even with Zac Veen producing at the plate in the outfield for Albuquerque, it seems plausible Thompson will see action at Coors Field before the campaign comes to close.

RHP Gabriel Hughes

Even though Tommy John surgery in June 2023 derailed his arrival time in Denver, Hughes has put himself back on track with a strong 2025. The Gonzaga product made up for lost time with a 3.09 ERA in nine starts at Double-A.

Some shoulder soreness in June put him on the shelf for five weeks. When he returned on July 25, he put together four promising starts. The 4.41 ERA over 16.1 innings by 23-year-old from Idaho is more than quality in the hitters-haven known as the Pacific Coast League.

LHP Michael Prosecky

Another draft pick from the deep Class of 2022, Prosecky may be one of lesser discussed players in the system that deserves more attention. The southpaw from the University of Louisville has spent a majority of this season at High-A Spokane pitching to a 3.86 ERA.

Upon being promoted to Double-A, the 24-year-old has been even better during his four outings (2.61 ERA). Since he will need to be placed on the 40-man roster this winter or else be exposed to the Rule 5 Draft – same as the other three prospects on this list – Colorado may give Prosecky an early taste of the Majors, a strategy they’ve employed frequently in the last few seasons.