Sure, the Colorado Rockies, more than likely, will finish with 100 losses again this season. Still, manager Warren Schaeffer has helped this ballclub show definite signs of growth.
When Bud Black was fired as manager last season, the Colorado Rockies were 7-33 and put Warren Schaeffer in as an interim manager. Let's be fair. Schaeffer took over a team that already was 26 games below .500 early in 2025.
There was not much room to really overcome that hump. As the season played out, Colorado had another 100-loss season. Things did not look good at all. Schaeffer came in and started sharing some wisdom and pointers with his players.
Entering this season, Schaeffer, after the interim tag was dropped by Rockies management, was able to fully implement his plan for 2026. And, before you say he has not led to much improvement in this team, back off if your only gauge is an overall record.
Warren Schaeffer pays attention
Schaeffer is not a manager who sits on the dugout bench all the time. He's pretty much the first person that Rockies players pass (unless they come off the field past first base) as they are coming off the field.
It's very notable that Schaeffer has a pad and pen pretty much always in hand. Fans can see and trust that he's keeping tabs on who has and who has not been following his ideas.
Look at the type of players that have been with the Rockies this season. Cole Carrigg came up from Triple-A and immediately showed not only that he had some power at the plate. But he also provided some highlight-reel moments in the outfield.
TJ Rumfield has also put his mark on the Rockies' roster, delivering as much as possible whenever he's on the field.
Rockies can build around Goodman
Of course, catcher Hunter Goodman has been the main cog in the Colorado lineup. He's provided a power bat that the Rockies desperately needed. Now, Schaeffer, Rockies president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta, and general manager Josh Byrnes can work on building around him.
Should Schaeffer get some of the blame for a 100-loss season? Maybe so. This season's squad, though, has posted 10-plus victories than last season's team. The biggest albatross around Schaeffer's neck is that pitching staff.
Too many times, Schaeffer has had to go out and pull starting pitchers after a mere three or four innings of work. That puts a hell of a lot of pressure on the relievers and, well, they have not been stellar from an overall standpoint.
Personally, I feel like Schaeffer is the right man, at the right time, for the Rockies. They are in rebuilding mode once again, but that front office looks like they are very serious in shaping this ballclub for future success.
Having Schaeffer leading Colorado right now is the right call.
