When a season starts off as bleakly as this one, it can be hard to find the positives among all the bad press. While the losses continue to mount, one may have to squint to identify any morsels of good work being performed at Coors. Luckily, every team, every year, has something to write home about, and for the 2025 Rockies, that’s the ascension of Jordan Beck.
Among what’s been one of the most futile offensive seasons in recent baseball history, Beck has shone as a diamond in the rough. Holding the team lead in home runs with Hunter Goodman and nearing the top in RBIs, “Mike Honcho” has bounced back from an early-season demotion to Triple-A by transforming into, arguably, the most well-rounded hitter on Colorado’s roster (at least of everyone that’s healthy).
Beck’s initial audition at the big-league level last year wasn’t disastrous, but it certainly didn’t go as he would have liked. He suffered a hand injury and struggled to make consistent contact, striking out in almost 40% of his total at-bats and walking very little in his 55 games. It was a trial by fire — the prototypical “welcome to the Bigs” moment.
Now, 19 games into the season, Beck looks completely revitalized. Slashing .283/.371/.642 and pulling the ball at an elite rate, the young outfielder is beginning to resemble the high-ceiling star that the Rockies envisioned for when he was drafted in 2022.
If you need proof, simply take a gander at his Baseball Savant page:
That’s a lot of red!
Few players in the game are hitting the ball as hard as Beck is right now. He’s been able to square the ball up more consistently than almost any member of Colorado’s lineup, which led the former Tennessee Volunteer to clobber five home runs in a two-day span. That surge was all it took to tie him in the lead position for Rockies long balls this season. In fact, as of this writing, Beck leads the team in most offensive categories, including batting average, slugging, OPS, and stolen bases.
Not bad for a guy who missed about two weeks of MLB time.
Since that return to the game’s highest level on April 19th, he hasn’t looked back. In ten games, Beck’s slashed .364/.436/.939 and recorded at least one hit in seven of them. It’s hard to expect him to sustain a scorching-hot streak all season, but even if we see a bit of a falloff, it’s clear that Beck has found his swing and is more comfortable than he’s ever been in MLB.
In fairness, Beck isn’t perfect. He still strikes out at an eye-opening rate (an ailment that’s plagued the Alabama native since college), such as his three examples in yesterday’s win. That’s something he’s going to have to work out if he’s going to take the next step in his career, though that’s hardly an issue unique to him as the Rockies, as a team, continue to swing and miss more than any other club. Even though he’s becoming more proficient at drawing walks, Beck will still need to find a way to put the ball in play more often, especially now that he’s hitting it so hard.
He’s also got to work to do in the outfield.
The arm strength that Beck possesses is undeniably excellent, as evidenced he has shown the ability to gun down runners seeking extra bases, but he’s still figuring out how to properly get reads and track down balls in MLB’s most spacious outfield. Currently owning a -0.6 dWAR and finding himself in the lower end of Outs Above Average, there’s definitely work to do to get Beck to the level of, say, his Gold Glove teammate Brenton Doyle.
Even with those developmental opportunities in mind, there’s no question that Beck owns Colorado’s hottest bat in this moment. At one point facing an uncertain future, he suddenly finds himself in a position to stake his claim as an integral part of Colorado’s long-term plans. With Doyle locked in at center field and an extended look at high-level prospect Zac Veen seemingly on the horizon, there’s no better time for Beck to plant his feet and make his case to be the left fielder of the present, and of tomorrow.
It seems that Beck has finally begun to find himself in MLB. It’s only been a few games, sure, but there’s no big league squad in more desperate need of a spark than your Colorado Rockies. To what extent Beck can continue this exhilarating run remains to be seen, but this is certainly an exciting time to be a fan of “Mike Honcho.”
★ ★ ★
On the farm
Triple-A: Salt Lake Bees 6, Albuquerque Isotopes 3
The ‘Topes battled back from early deficits but came up short against the Bees on Wednesday.
Anthony Molina was stung four four runs and eight hits in six innings as he continues to struggle in Triple-A, now holding an 0-4 record and an ERA north of 10.
The ‘Topes had opportunities to add to their run total but found themselves unable to string together big innings as they went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position, and left 11 men on base. Offensive highlights included Zac Veen’s home run (his second of the season) and Austin Nola’s three-hit game. Sterlin Thompson, meanwhile, went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts.
Double-A: Hartford Yard Goats 6, Chesapeake Baysox 3
A five-run fifth inning was the difference-maker in Hartford’s win over Chesapeake.
Gabriel Hughes’ excellent start helped propel the Yard Goats to victory, as his five shutout frames included just two hits and two walks against him. Each Baysox run was scored against Victor Juarez, who allowed three hits, three runs, and a walk in his 2 1⁄3 innings.
Cole Carrigg’s grand slam was all Hartford would need to secure the win. Despite being out-hit by the Baysox, the Yard Goats managed to keep their opponents off the scoreboard and earn the dub.
High-A: Spokane Indians 3, Tri-City Dust Devils 1
Aidan Longwell’s two RBIs were the advantage the Indians needed to get by the Dust Devils on Wednesday. His run-scoring double got things going in the top of the first, and after the home Dust Devils tied things up, he came through again with a go-ahead sacrifice fly. Braylen Wimmer’s RBI double added an insurance run in the top of the fifth.
Konner Eaton worked around traffic in his 4 2⁄3 innings of work as he allowed three hits and three walks, but his six strikeouts were enough to avoid big damage. A relay team of Alan Perdomo. Davison Palermo, Cade Denton, and Welinton Herrera then shut down any Dust Devil turbulence.
Single-A: Fresno Visalia Rawhide 6, Fresno Grizzlies 4
This one came down to the wire as the Rawhide rode a five-run fifth frame (familiar?) to victory over the Grizzlies.
Fresno managed to get to Visalia’s starter, Connor Foley, early, tagging him for four runs in the first two innings, but scored no more after that point. Grizzlies starter, Bryan Mena, allowed six runs in as many frames.
Blake Wright led the way for the bears as he went 2-for-3 with a walk and 3 RBI. The game very nearly swung in Fresno’s favor as they managed to load the bases with two outs in the top of the ninth, but Robert Calaz struck out looking to end the contest.
★ ★ ★
On the internet
Look, we know it’s frustrating watching the losses mount this year, but sometimes we forget that the players share those frustrations. Here, Kyle Freeland explains how he feels a personal sense of pride and responsibility to show out for his fans, teammates, and home state as he tries to do his part in securing wins.
In a much more heartwarming story, read about Michael Toglia’s recent visit to UCHealth Hospital to visit and spent time with patients. It’s a good reminder that, amid all the negativity that’s been felt this year, baseball can still be a source of joy for many people, especially those that really need it.
★ ★ ★
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