The Colorado Rockies aren’t easing into summer—instead, they’re reshuffling their roster in search of new energy and potential. This past week, we saw a blend of veteran experience and youthful vigor as the Rockies made key moves. The additions of Sam Hilliard and Keston Hiura, along with former All-Star Orlando Arcia (who was recently released by the Atlanta Braves), set the stage for an interesting mid-season twist.
Fast forward to Friday, and the Rockies doubled down on their commitment to youth. Out goes Jacob Stallings, the 35-year-old catcher whose struggles have been hard to ignore, with a disappointing .143 batting average paired with .217 OBP and .179 slugging percentage. In his place, 26-year-old Braxton Fulford returns to the majors, having only briefly appeared earlier this season.
Joining Fulford is infielder Ryan Ritter, stepping in for Ezequiel Tovar, who will be sidelined for at least 10 days due to a left oblique strain—his stint on the injured list is retroactive to June 3. Furthermore, the Rockies welcome back reliever Zach Agnos after a short hiatus for personal reasons.
So, why is the front office eager to see what Fulford and Ritter can bring to the table? For Fulford, the numbers speak volumes. As a sixth-round pick from the 2021 draft, his only hit in four MLB games prior was a home run against the Washington Nationals on April 20. However, his performance at Triple-A has been nothing short of impressive—he’s posted a jaw-dropping .314/.393/.608 line over 117 plate appearances with the Albuquerque Isotopes, including 10 home runs. Clearly, it’s time for the Rockies to get a good look at him as the backup catcher to Hunter Goodman, who recently had a phenomenal outing against the Miami Marlins.
Then there’s Ryan Ritter, a player who has been tearing it up in the Pacific Coast League. The Rockies’ fourth-round pick in 2022 from the University of Kentucky earned Player of the Month honors for May, showcasing a phenomenal .381 batting average and .445 on-base percentage, culminating in a staggering 1.363 OPS. His standout month included a memorable three-homer game against the Reno Aces on May 25, and at one point, he even strung together an 11-game streak of extra-base hits. It’s safe to say that his power has developed significantly compared to his time at Double-A Hartford, where he managed a solid but less electrifying .751 OPS over the past two seasons.
As the Rockies continue to reshape their roster, it’s clear they’re focused on capitalizing on fresh talents like Fulford and Ritter. While it’s been a challenging season overall, these moves signal a commitment to building for the future and unlocking the potential that lies within their younger players. Fans can look forward to seeing how these new additions impact the team dynamic as they navigate the rest of the season.
