Old habits die hard.
A major issue for the Colorado Rockies during their seven-season losing streak has been the offense. In particular, especially over the last three seasons, poor plate discipline has hindered the team that has been largely defined by an overabundance of strikeouts. In 2025, the team ranked second in baseball with 1,531 strikeouts, with the highest swing rate and the lowest contact rate among several other unfortunate categories.
While a primary point of focus was rightfully placed
on the pitching side of things for the club, new hitting coach Brett Pill has a lot of work cut out for him in helping improve one of the league’s worst offenses. It will take some time before he can get a cohesive hitting philosophy permeating the roster, but the early trends of 2026 certainly make things more difficult.
Entering Tuesday, the Rockies lead all of Major League Baseball in swing rate at 52%. This shouldn’t be surprising since the Rockies feature a roster of aggressive hitters. There is nothing inherently wrong with being aggressive at the plate, but there is a difference between that and being undisciplined with the bat.
Alongside that swing rate comes one of the lowest contact rates in baseball. Boasting the third-lowest rate in baseball at 69.9%, the Rockies are in the odd company of swinging more than anyone else, but still having little to nothing to show for it.
Why is that?
A quick look at the average number of pitches per plate appearance shows that the Rockies’ offense is seeing the fewest pitches of any team. Averaging 3.65 P/PA, the Rockies rank just below the Tampa Bay Rays at 3.75 P/PA, a team that is around league average in swing rate (45.1%) while sporting the highest contact rate (80.4%). The lack of pitches seen makes the Rockies’ National League-worst strikeout rate of 29.5% and baseball-worst 6.0% walk rate a lot clearer.
The aggressiveness of the Rockies’ offense is a result of how opposing pitchers are taking advantage. Colorado is 45.3% of pitches within the strike zone. It’s not too distant from the leaders of the league at 48.9%, but that 4% difference has become more damning considering the Rockies have an 82.6% contact rate, one of the lowest in baseball, compared to their league-high 68.8% swing rate in the zone.
Swinging so often and coming up empty has inspired pitchers to continue inching out of the zone to cause the Rockies to chase. Their 40.1% swing rate at pitches considered to be in the “chase zone” leads all of baseball, while their contact on such pitches (38.1%) ranks 27th. A 37% overall chase rate is the highest mark in baseball this early into the season.
The Rockies are seeing a higher percentage of strikes than any other team at 66.8%. Their 24.4% swinging strike rate is the highest in the NL and third-highest in MLB. The uber-aggressiveness and whiffs by this team are what have stifled the offense through their first couple of series.
There is some evidence of method to the madness, despite the lack of overall success. The Rockies are hunting the first pitch in an at-bat. The team has swung at the first pitch 39.5% of the time, just behind the Athletics (40.9%). They also rank second, just behind the A’s, with a .412/.423/.725 slashline. The first pitch is typically the best one to try and hit, and the Rockies are finding success when they do make contact on the first one, showing that aggressiveness can be effective.
However, that’s where the lack of plate discipline comes into play. Should they fail to make contact, the Rockies get themselves into trouble due to an NL-high 39% first pitch strike rate. They drop down to a .250 AVG in 0-1 counts, and a .148 AVG in two strike counts. They have drawn just eight walks with two strikes, the lowest in baseball.
There is still plenty of season to be played, and it’ll be worthwhile to look back on these types of things come May, as Pill and Jordan Pacheco have had time to implement more things with the hitters. The hope is that the new philosophy and coaching, along with some of the new players on the team, can foster an environment that encourages good contact and attacking pitchers. We’ve already seen the offensive outbursts that can happen when the team is patient, making good contact, and taking good swings in the zone, and it’s something that can thrive both at home and away.
It’s certainly worrisome at the moment, but the Rockies could have the chance to learn how to make aggressiveness an advantage and not a folly in 2026.
On the Farm
Triple-A: Albuquerque Isotopes 8, El Paso Chihuahuas 4
The Albuquerque offense did its damage through the first four innings, scoring all eight of its runs and ending up with 13 hits on the night. Blaine Crim and Ryan Ritter each hit home runs, with the latter contributing three hits in the game. Sterlin Thompson had a triple while Nicky Lopez and Zac Veen each had a double. Veen also ended up with two hits. Sean Sullivan started the hill and made it through four innings, giving up just one run on one hit while striking out three. He battled his command, however, issuing four walks. The bullpen combined to allow just three runs, two of which came against Welinton Herrera, and notched five strikeouts.
Double-A: Hartford Yard Goats 3, Reading Fightin’ Phils 1
Eiberson Castellano continued a string of good pitching for the Yard Goats as he allowed just one run on six hits with four strikeouts and two walks in six innings of work. The lone run he surrendered came on a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth inning. The bullpen then allowed just two hits over the final three innings, with Alberto Pacheco going two innings and Victor Juarez nailing down his second save of the year. They got all the offense they would need with two runs in the third inning. Braylen Wimmer had a two-hit night with an RBI, which came in the third. Bryant Betancourt also had a solo home run in the top of the ninth for an insurance run.
High-A: Spokane Indians 7, Hillsboro Hops 3
Everett Catlet cruised through five innings, allowing two runs on four hits with six strikeouts, en route to taking the victory for the Indians. Fisher Jameson followed with three shutout innings before Tyler Hampu closed out the game, although he gave up a run. Offensively, Robert Calaz went 2-for-5 with a pair of RBI, while Tevin Tucker also drove in a pair of runs. The offense had eight hits and drew seven walks against seven strikeouts.
Low-A: Fresno Grizzlies 8, Stockton Ports 5
The Grizzlies got a good start from their pitcher in their home opener. Angel Jimenez went 4 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on five hits with nine strikeouts. The bullpen struggled with command but managed to secure the victory despite a little bit of trouble for Derrick Smith in the ninth. The offense kicked off with a five-run bottom of the second, and later a three-run seventh inning. Ethan Holliday ended up with two hits while Derek Bernard drove in a pair as part of his two-hit night and Zach Rogaki also had three RBI.
From Bootleggers to a ‘downtown divorce party’ — 9 great upcoming Minor League promos | MLB.com
The beauty of the minors is that promotionals can deviate from the norms of big league ball quite a bit. The Yard Goats are getting in on the action with a “downtown Hartford divorce party” meant to involve a mixer for single people to look for a connection.
Chase Dollander has looked solid out of the Rockies’ bullpen to start the season, and part of that is having more confidence and purpose behind his pitches. Kevin Henry caught up with Dollander to talk about his growth thus far.
This week, Evan Lang and I are joined by Paul Holden of the Locked On Rockies podcast to chat about the early struggles of the offense, the quality pitching, and some minor leaguers to keep an eye on.
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