If there has been one takeaway from the 2025 Colorado Rockies, it’s the need for the youth movement to pay dividends. The Rockies have seen their depth and pipeline tested as notable prospects have struggled to adjust to the big league level, while others have not had quite the impact the team hoped.
Still, there are intriguing pieces that could hopefully right the ship in the coming years, if they are able to develop properly. 2026 will be a particularly opportune time for one of those pieces, 2024
third-overall pick Charlie Condon.
If last year was about dominance at Georgia and a stuttered pro debut, 2025 has been the story of Condon’s revival, one marked by raw power, refined approach, and undeniable momentum heading into the offseason..
After sweeping college baseball’s major honors, Golden Spikes Award, SEC Player of the Year, and Dick Howser Trophy, Condon was selected third overall in the 2024 MLB draft by the Rockies. With him came a record-tying $9.25 million signing bonus. While the organization clearly believed in his immense offensive ceiling, the transition to pro ball was less smooth. Condon landed directly at High-A Spokane, where he struggled mightily: a .180 batting average in his debut, paired with severe plate discipline woes—striking out 34 times and drawing just four walks in limited action.
Adding to the challenge was a non-displaced fracture in his left wrist during spring training this season, which sidelined Condon for roughly six weeks.
Returning mid-May, Condon rejoined Spokane and immediately charted a course upward. In 35 games, he slashed .312/.431/.420, contributing three homers and six doubles with a 133 wRC+, a marked leap from the prior year.
This surge earned him a promotion to Double-A Hartford on July 1 as well as an appearance at the All-Star Futures Game in Atlanta.
Hartford Growth
In Hartford, Condon continued to unlock his tools. There was a clear adjustment as he struggled in that first month, slashing .209/.295/.358 with two home runs in 78 plate appearances. However, much like he did in college and High-A, he started to figure things out with adjustments.
Throughout August, the 6-foot-6 slugger batted an impressive .289/.409/.589 with six home runs. Particularly, in 11 games from August 10-23, Condon sizzled to a .324/.468/.919 slash line, where he accumulated those six home runs, including four in a three-game stretch. The performance seemed to be enough to solidify his case for a promotion and drawing high praise from Yard Goats manager Bobby Meacham for his work ethic and daily leadership.
However, the Rockies felt it was important for Condon to finish out the season with Hartford because it gave him a chance to play meaningful games as the Double-A affiliate fought for the playoffs. The Yard Goats currently sit 3 1/2 games back of a playoff spot with five games remaining.
September has seen Condon keep up the power with three more home runs in his seven games, giving him 14 on the year through 95 games across three levels. He attributed his recent success to slight mechanical changes, including getting slightly deeper in his batting stance, a change almost imperceptible but the stats speak for themselves.
Condon has delivered a fine first full professional season, but the work isn’t finished. Contact remains an issue, especially off-speed stuff like sliders. However, as time went on, he began to show more patience and discipline in Double-A, registering 63 strikeouts against 24 walks.
The power has come in bunches late in the year as he built up strength in his wrist again, but it’s something that will have to become more consistently reliable. Defensively, he has shifted from versatility across the field toward a primary first-base role, occasionally filling in at left field or third, but his arm and agility project best at first base.
Moving forward
The Rockies are likely to let Condon rest for the rest of the season, but an appearance with Triple-A Albuquerque could always be on the table. Still, Condon has rightfully placed himself in a prime position to make his debut in 2026 with the big league squad.
He may not be ready for the big stage just yet, but the pieces are coming together: power that plays, improving discipline, and a maturing approach. If he continues trending upward, the Rockies may get their 30-home-run bat at Coors sooner rather than later.
There is plenty of opportunity to do so. Michael Toglia didn’t build upon his strong 2024 campaign and has seemed to fall out of grace with the organization in some aspect. Warming Bernabel has had his interesting flashes at first base, but after his sizzling start that got him named the National League Player of the Week, he’s cooled off quite a bit. One shouldn’t expect Bernabel to be a long-term solution at first base to start every day, either.
There is little doubt that Condon will receive an invitation to big league camp in spring training, and there is little reason for the Rockies not to give him a legitimate shot to win first base next season.
Condon’s 2025 minor league season has been a remarkable redemption arc. From spring training injury to High-A adjustment, and now a Double-A dominance streak, he’s steadily rebuilding the promise that made him a top draft pick. There is a reason to be excited about him, and the hope is that he can live up to the hype in the near future to help this team get back on track.
On the Farm
Triple-A: El Paso Chihuahuas 15, Albuquerque Isotopes 7
It was a tough night for the Isotopes’ pitching. Mason Albright started the game but struggled through 4 2/3 innings, allowing nine runs (seven earned) on six hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Karl Kauffmann was then tagged for four runs on three hits over 1 1/3 innings. Ryan Rolison and Antoine Kelly tossed the final two innings, each allowing a run. Offensively, Sam Hilliard and Sean Bouchard had home runs while Aaron Schunk had three hits. Defense was fairly sloppy as well, with the Isotopes committing four errors.
Double-A: Hartford Yard Goats 8, Richmond Flying Squirrels 2
Hartford collected eight runs on 11 hits as they kept their playoff hopes alive. Cole Carrigg had a three-hit day, including his 15th home run of the season, while Charlie Condon contributed two hits, including his 11th Double-A home run of the season. Ben Shields started on the hill, allowing one run in his single inning of work, before giving way to Mason Green for three innings and subsequently the bullpen after that.
Low-A: San Jose Giants 2, Fresno Grizzlies 0
Brody Brecht delivered a fantastic performance in the first game of the division series, but the Grizzlies offense was unable to provide him any run support. Brecht went seven innings, allowing just two runs in the fifth, giving up four hits and striking out eight. Unfortunately, San Jose’s pitching was just that much better as Fresno managed just three hits and struck out 16 times. They managed to bring the tying run to the plate in the ninth but Ethan Holliday suffered his fourth strikeout of the night, followed by Robert Calaz’s punchout to end the game. They now head to San Jose, facing elimination.
Rockies Star Prospect Would Draw Major Following at Arizona Fall League | Colorado Rockies On SI
The Arizona Fall League isn’t too far off, and Condon is a player that MLB analysts would love to see for the Salt River Rafters. The Rockies could be well served in sending Condon to Arizona, but they may also choose to let him have a full offseason of rest after his first full pro season.
Affected by Altitude Episode 178: A Free Land and a Good Man | Rocky Mountain Rooftop
This week, Evan Lang and I talk about Kyle Freeland and Hunter Goodman and what they have meant to the club this season.
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