Rockies Need to See Early Progress Next Season

Rockies Could Use a Fast Start Next Season

Trust the Process

Former Philadelphia 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie will forever be known for coining the phrase “Trust the Process.” Around the time center Joel Embiid was drafted in 2014, Hinkie told fans to trust the process despite the constant losing. This was a tough sell as the Sixers went 47-199 from 2013-14 to 2015-16. Rock bottom came in 2015-16 when the Sixers began the season 1-30 and finished 10-72. Hinkie resigned near the end of the season.

The Rockies are coming off their third consecutive 100+ loss season. Before this recent stretch, the Rockies had never lost 100+ games in a season. It got especially loud this past season as the Rockies seemingly set a new low with every passing day. Finishing a franchise and league-worst 43-119. No one is expecting the Rockies to be vastly improved. They are incredibly young and return largely the same squad as last season, as of now.

But vibes around a team are important. It’s one of the noticeable shifts that happened after interim manager Warren Schaeffer took over. The Rockies were noticeably more competitive. That needs to continue this upcoming season from the start, reinforcing Schaeffer’s talk this offseason about doing things a new way this spring and instilling a new culture.

Fast Start Would Be Invaluable

The latest the Rockies have been above .500 in a season since 2023 is April 1, 2023! The Rockies started 2-1 following a season-opening series win over the San Diego Padres. In 2024, the Rockies lost on Opening Day 16-1 to the Arizona Diamondbacks and never recovered. Rockies fans have not seen an above .500 Rockies team play at Coors Field since 2022.

This will be the fourth consecutive season the Rockies have started with two consecutive road series to begin the season. Why can’t Major League Baseball be like the National Football League and give the last-place team a last-place schedule the following season? Throw the Rockies a bone! They need it more than anyone! Is it that much to ask for the Rockies to open at home so their fans can “potentially” finally see an above .500 team at home again?

Just Be Competitive

All kidding aside, the Coors Field winning team thing can wait another year if the Rockies can at least be competitive. Yet again, 2022 will be the recent model to follow. After a 4-1 road win against the Diamondbacks on May 7, the Rockies were 16-11. Closer Daniel Bard already had nine saves! The Rockies were last over .500 that season a week later, following a 10-4 win over the Kansas City Royals to put the Rockies at 17-16. But they ended the first half 43-50, having won five of six to end it.

They finished the season 68-94, eventually succumbing to reality. But their 2022 team wasn’t supposed to be good either! They at least played above their weight class and made the first half enjoyable. Again, the bar is incredibly low right now. If the Rockies match or come close to that 43-50 start this season, there should be a parade thrown for the Rockies front office in LoDo. On May 10 this season, the Rockies were 6-33, following a 21-0 home loss to the San Diego Padres. They did not get their 16th win until June 17th in a 10-6 road victory over the Washington Nationals. Having already amassed 57 losses by that point.

There is a reason to believe in this front office and in Schaeffer. The ownership finally caved and hired an outside voice this offseason. Schaeffer said this offseason that the Rockies will get back to winning baseball a lot sooner than people think. Love it! That’s exactly what Schaeffer should be saying. But realistic Rockies fans understand that doesn’t mean next season.

Just somehow be .500 after 20 games. Win a home series in the first half. Be within ten games of .500 at the Midsummer break. It sounds like a little, but it would be progress and go a long way towards building trust in the “Process.”