“It’s Not Where We Want To Be” – Rockies Finish Home Slate With Franchise-Worst 56 Losses

DENVER, Colo. – The Colorado Rockies saved their best for last in what’s been the most challenging season in franchise history, wrapping the 2025 home schedule at Coors Field with a 3-1 win against the Los Angeles Angels.

Colorado finishes with a 25-56 record at home, their worst record in Denver by 10 losses.

“It’s not where we want to be. It’s not where anybody wants to be,” interim manager Warren Schaeffer said. “We have to find a way to dominate this home field. We can absolutely do that.”

The team assembled by GM Bill Schmidt finished the home season with 369 runs scored at Coors Field, the fewest in Denver in franchise history (excluding the shortened 1994 and 2020 seasons). The pitching was nearly as bad, allowing 580 runs at home, the second-most in franchise history behind only the 626 runs in the pre-humidor season of 1999.

Coors Field used to be an advantage for the organization. Even though the first 18 seasons produced only three playoff appearances, the team averaged 46 wins per year at the ballpark on 20th and Blake St. 

The Rockies have won that many at home only once (48 in 2021) since their last postseason appearance in 2018. Since then, it’s been seven consecutive losing seasons, the longest such streak for the franchise.

Only seven teams have ever lost more than 56 games at home in baseball history.

Had they been as historically bad on the road as at home, the 2025 Rockies would have been challenging the 2024 Chicago White Sox for the most defeats in the Modern Era with 121 losses. A win on Friday ensured that 120 losses would be the worst-case nadir. (The 3-0 loss the next night was their 17th time getting shut out, also a new high, or low, depending on your definition.)

Their 113 losses are the most for a National League team in the Divisional Era (since 1969). Colorado could very well add a few more during the final week and enter the top five all-time for losses with a road trip against the Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants to end the season.

Going Out on a High

On Sunday, though, it was all about celebrating a hometown hero and giving thanks to the 2.4 million fans that showed up in Denver to support their nine.

Kyle Freeland took the mound with the sounds of MGK’s “Starman” playing from the PA speakers. The lyrics were fitting for what Freeland and the entire organization have been through this season: “I want something else to get me through this semi-charmed kind of life.” 

After three hits for the first four batters in the Angels lineup, it was not shaping up to be a satisfying sendoff. Freeland, in textbook form as was discussed pre-game, bended but did not fold on the way to his franchise-record tying 110th career quality start. 

“It’s not even a question in my mind that (Freeland) will ever give in. That just doesn’t exist with him,” Schaeffer said of his starter’s performance. “I think his track record proves that over years in this league, he takes pride in that. I know he does. That’s who he is, and that’s how he leads these guys in there, by doing that. Never giving in because that’s what you can’t do here in Coors Field. You can never give in.”

Colorado hoped an influx of youth — which includes Schaeffer, 40, the second-youngest field manager in the sport — would follow leaders like Freeland and veterans such as Germán Márquez, Antonio Senzatela, Kyle Farmer and Jimmy Herget. Such a shift would provide a sustained boost following an abysmal 9-50 start through June 1, or so many in the front office believed.

Whilst setting franchise records for debuting 13 players and giving 30 different position players plate appearances, the club opened with a 15-16 record following the All-Star break. Then the dog days of summer caught up with the fresh-faced roster.

Colorado is 4-15 in September and has gone 6-23 since Aug. 21.

It’s called a 162-game marathon for a reason.

The second-youngest active roster, with an average age of 26.4, has few players with full-season experience in the majors.

“Guys lose weight, especially here in altitude, and when a young player loses his weight, and he’s not accustomed to playing a long season with that toll on your body, it’s just not a good combination,” Schaeffer said.

Schaeffer indicated that Brenton Doyle has lost 10 pounds over the course of a season patrolling center field. In years past, he says, Sam Hilliard has lost upwards of 20 pounds.

“Two guys that specifically stand out to me are (Kyle) Karros and (Ryan) Ritter.” Schaeffer added, “We had their exit meetings a couple days ago. They need to absolutely hammer the weight and get stronger and get more mass on them… That’s why Kyle and Ry are getting some extra days here at the end (of the season).”

Some players are considering opportunities in the Caribbean winter leagues, including several relievers looking to make up for lost time on the injured list. Others, like Drew Romo, are considering whether or not to get more live at-bats. 

Youthful With Yanquiel

Yanquiel Fernández has provided some hope for the future. 

Fernández was promoted to the big leagues on July 1 and has spent the final two months of the season with the club. No options back to Triple-A Albuquerque. A continuous run in the majors. 

According to Schaeffer, that investment in Fernández, as opposed to other outfield prospects, has been worth it.

“Number one, he got an opportunity to come here because he earned it, and then being here, he showed hit-ability and he showed learning. He showed an extremely hard work ethic on the field that nobody sees.” 

Schaeffer went on to say, “It’s tough for a player like that, who’s played his whole career every day in the minor leagues, to come up here and do stretches without playing — not playing every day, maybe not playing three days in a row.”

There was the outfield assist in his debut. The pinch-hit homer for his first in MLB. Or back-to-back games with home runs against the October-bound Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs on Aug. 28 and 29.

A work in progress at the plate (.244/.288/.382) after years of success in the minors, it’s on defense where the first Cuban-born player to debut for Colorado will need to make the biggest strides.

“He’s a good defender. He just needs to be able to move better. He needs to be able to cover more ground. He knows this,” Schaeffer said. “Just range, range in general. He needs to be able to get some more balls.”

His arm needs almost no work. With an average arm strength of 97.0 mph, Fernández ranks second in the sport. 

Will the 22-year-old have an opportunity to break camp next year on the 2026 Opening Day roster as part of a right field platoon? 

“Why would you put a limit on a kid? We’re not in the position to put ceilings on people,” Schaeffer said. “Yanquiel shows up. He does his thing. He shows that he can play every day. Who’s to say he can’t? Not me, that’s for sure.”

Diamond Details

• Rockies starters posted a 7.48 ERA (381.2 IP, 317 ER) at home this season, their highest starting pitching ERA at home in franchise history.

• Colorado’s series win against Los Angeles (AL) was their first since taking three of four against the Diamondbacks from Aug. 14-17.

• The Rockies went 10-36 with no series wins at Coors Field during the first half and 15-20 with five series wins at home during the second half.