The pesky thing about baseball is that to win games, you have to score more runs than the opposing team.
An inability to score runs has made this fact abundantly clear for the historically bad Colorado Rockies in 2025. Sitting with both the worst record in baseball and worst run differential, the Rockies’ offense, which once struck fear into the hearts of opposing pitchers, is now about as threatening as my two-year-old nephew with a foam bat holding it upside down.
Now, there are some hints of improvement as of late, but one factor of hitting that has been glaring of late is the inability to get the clutch hit.
Former manager Bud Black kept emphasizing early in the season that the Rockies were lacking the big hit on most nights. There is truth in that statement as the Rockies had the third-lowest batting average with runners in scoring position (.204) through May 11 when Black was fired. By contrast, in the Warren Schaeffer era, the Rockies have gotten better at getting the clutch hit with RISP. From May 12 to May 27, the team has a .238 AVG, which is certainly better, but as we know, average doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a clutch-hitting team.
The most telling factor in the Rockies’ lack of clutch is the fact that they have just 119 RBI with men in scoring position as a team this season, the second fewest in baseball. They also lead the National League (third overall) in strikeout rate with 25.4%. So while the Rockies are starting to get a few more hits with RISP, it’s not exactly leading to those runs being scored, thanks to guys at the plate.
With men simply on base, the Rockies are slashing .210/.287/.338 with varying, let’s call it success, depending on the configuration.
Rockies stats with bases occupied
Baseball Reference
They are much more successful when they can get runners to third base as well as load the bases. The problem is, the Rockies aren’t generating as many opportunities to get runners on third or to load the bases. Instead, we see them struggling to move runners past second base if they can even get them there at all. Getting to first should be the easy part, but the team even struggles in that aspect.
I won’t dive into every stat concerning the table on Baseball Reference (be sure to check it out for yourself, though), but the major takeaway I will share is that the Rockies are failing to not only get the big hit but also string together the little hits.
After all, how often have we seen the Rockies singled to death by opposing teams? The damage isn’t simply because of the home runs and extra-base hits, but the surplus of singles that set the stage for those devastating hits. They are simply the cherry on top of a string of hits that set the table.
Of course, that brings us to another wrinkle in the clutch stats for the Rockies.
Clutch Stats
Baseball Reference
Hitting with two outs in a difficult situation in baseball, at least it’s supposed to be, as opposing teams are hitting .310 with RISP and two outs against the Rockies. The next highest is .277 against the Baltimore Orioles pitching.
The Rockies’ abysmal numbers with two outs and RISP aren’t the worst in the league, but they rank near the bottom of MLB and exemplify the problems the team is having at the plate in crucial situations.
In high-leverage situations, the team is batting .209/.278/.339. You can probably guess where that lands them in the league rankings, but it’s definitely not in the top five. The lack of ability to hit in the high-leverage situations or when a game is late and close is more excruciating when the Rockies are losing those close games like the games against the Chicago Cubs.
Always playing from behind is certainly a drag offensively, but even when the Rockies get a lead they haven’t quite been able to keep the pressure on. As the table above shows, Colorado is batting .215/.264/.319 when they have a lead. The Rockies rank last in two of those categories (AVG, SLG) and second to last in the other (OBP). Their 58 hits when leading is the fewest in baseball, followed by the Miami Marlins with 96. They also have just two home runs and 28 RBI, both of which rank last by quite a gap.
The fact of the matter is that for the Rockies, every hit feels like a clutch hit in the worst way possible. They are getting better at putting themselves in positions to win, but the lineup is still overmatched and widely underperforming in key situations.
We’ve seen what happens when the team can string together hits and rally for a handful of runs, but the consistency is fleeting, and if the Rockies want to climb out of the gutter they are in, they need to stop aiming for the big hit and start stringing together the little ones.
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On the Farm
Triple-A: Sugarland Space Cowboys 9, Albuquerque Isotopes 2
Mason Albright started on the hill for the Isotopes, allowing four runs on six hits, including three home runs, in 4 2⁄3 innings of work. The rest of the staff had a solid night but Lucas Gilbreath was roughed up for four runs on two hits in the 2⁄3 of work he had in the ninth. Yanquiel Fernandez had the lone RBI on the night as part of a two-hit effort. Keston Hiura had his ninth home run of the season and Warming Bernabel delivered a double.
Double-A (Gm 1): New Hampshire Fisher Cats 7, Hartford Yard Goats 6
Jack Mahoney started on the mound, giving up five runs on seven hits in 3 1⁄3 innings in Game 1 of the doubleheader. Sam Weatherly ended up taking the loss after giving up two runs in the top of the seventh. Braiden Ward led the way offensively with two hits and three RBI, while Juan Guerrero, Jose Cordova, and Jose Torres each contributed two hits.
Double-A (Gm 2): New Hampshire Fisher Cats 4, Hartford Yard Goats 0
In the second game, the Yard Goats had just four hits with Dyan Jorge knocking a double. Mason Green started on the hill and allowed one run on four hits over 2 2⁄3 innings. Alec Barger followed in relief, allowing three runs on two hits in 2 1⁄3 innings.
High-A: Spokane Indians 10, Everett AquaSox 2
The Spokane Indians scored early and often as they tallied 10 runs on 13 hits. Jared Thomas and Charlie Condon each had two hits atop the lineup. Cole Messina had three hits and two RBI while Braylen Wimmer had three RBI, including a two-run home run. Jean Perez had a solo home run and Jesus Bugarin had two hits. Konner Eaton allowed two runs over seven innings of work, allowing four hits while getting eight strikeouts against three walks.
Low-A: Fresno Grizzlies 3, Visalia Rawhide 0
Bryan Mena delivered a stellar performance on the hill, allowing just three hits over 5 2⁄3 innings with seven strikeouts and four walks. Blake Wright led the offense with three hits and both Kevin Fitzer and Yeiker Reyes each had two hits.
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This week, Evan Lang and I talk about the state of the Rockies under Warren Schaeffer, what’s up with Adael Amador’s future, and question the status of the rotation veterans. We are also joined by Rockies 2024 draft pick Charlie Condon for an interview.
Veteran Arcia brings winning experience to Rockies | MLB.com
The signing of Orlando Arcia has left Colorado fans perplexed. Still, the veteran infielder notched two hits on Wednesday night in his Rockies debut. The main reason the Rockies wanted him is for his veteran experience to help a young lineup of players.
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