Welcome to the 2025 edition of Ranking the Rockies, where we take a look back at every player to log playing time for the Rockies in 2025. The purpose of this list is to provide a snapshot of the player in context.
The “Ranking” is an organizing principle that’s drawn from Baseball Reference’s WAR (rWAR). It’s not something the staff debated. We’ll begin with the player with the lowest rWAR and end up with the player with the highest.
No. 32, Braxton Fulford (-0.2 rWAR)
In 2025, catcher Braxton Fulford was given an opportunity to show what he could do.
Drafted in the sixth round of the 2021 MLB Draft from Texas Tech University, Fulford made it all the way up to Triple-A in 2023 (just for three games), but then went back to Double-A in 2024.
He started 2025 in Triple-A again, and made his MLB debut on April 16 at Dodger Stadium. In his debut, Fulford went a forgettable 0-for-4 with four strikeouts. But he notched his first MLB hit — a solo home run — a few weeks later on April 20 in the first game of a doubleheader against the Washington Nationals. After starting his MLB career going 1-for-8 with five strikeouts, Fulford was optioned back to Albuquerque until June.
Upon his return, Fulford had an up-and-down June, going 9-for-32 with two doubles, a triple, three runs scored, 10 RBIs, a walk and 13 strikeouts. Five of those RBIs came against the Atlanta Braves on Father’s Day, June 15.
“I had a couple games where I’ve had 3-4-5 RBIs,” Fulford said in September.
“I think those are probably the highlights when you contribute that many RBIs and your team wins, especially in the big leagues. It’s all about winning. I played a game in Atlanta, and we won, like, 10-1 and I had five RBIs. I think my family was there, too, and it was Father’s Day. So I think that was probably my highlight.”
Unfortunately, that one standout performance was not enough to keep Fulford on the MLB roster, and he was optioned again on July 1.
He was recalled for the final time on August 3, and slashed just .191/.269/.265 over 24 games with three doubles, a triple, seven runs scored, five RBI, six walks and 18 strikeouts. In total, over 37 games in 2025, Fulford struck out 30% of the time and walked 5.8% of the time.
“[There were] a lot of learning moments, a lot of firsts, a lot of good moments,” Fulford said of his rookie season.
“Early on, I think I put a lot more pressure on myself than I needed to. I think I’ve realized it’s the same game. The level of talent is a level of talent that I’ve played against before, it’s just a lot more consistent here. So just understanding that it’s the same game – and I had all the tools to succeed – and just going out there and playing my game.”
Fulford said he worked on making some mental adjustments throughout the season, “just allowing myself to be aggressive and allowing myself to play free.”
“I’m not worrying about making mistakes or trying to be too perfect,” he continued. “and not being afraid to fail, and going out there and playing hard regardless of what happens.”
He also relied heavily on veterans throughout his first year, especially the two Kyles.
“I’ve had a few conversations with [Kyle] Freeland, and picked Kyle Farmer’s brain for sure,” he said.
“For example, in the cage yesterday (September 13), I was talking to Farmer, asking him how he stays ready not playing every day. So he’s given me a few tips about his routine and what he does consistently every day that allows him to be ready, which I think is helpful.”
And working with All-Star Hunter Goodman, who was drafted in the fourth round of the same class as Fulford, helped him adjust.
“We lived in the same hotel room when we were in Arizona right after we got drafted, so I’ve known him the whole time I’ve been in pro ball,” he said.
“And we’re always talking about pitch calling, different pitchers, different hitters throughout the game and kinda talking about different catching things, whatever they may be. So it’s been good. He’s got a couple years of experience, so I’ve been able to bounce things off him and get his vantage point on the big leagues from him having a little bit more experience.”
Overall in his rookie year, Fulford had a bumpy year. He showed flashes of brilliance, but also had incredibly cold stretches. He did end on a three-game hitting streak, though.
Looking ahead to next year, it’s hard to say what his fate will be, but he made the most of his first cup of coffee.
