From the outside looking in, someone may look at the Colorado Rockies' fourth straight season of 100-plus losses as an indication that the organization is doomed. 

However, what they don't realize is that the Rockies have an exciting young core that they are putting together. 

Players such as Hunter Goodman, Jake McCarthy and rookies TJ Rumfield and Cole Carrigg are at the forefront of Colorado's talent, but the quality does not stop with them. Occupying its roster is also outfielder Zac Veen, who demonstrated great improvement in his sophomore season. 

Veen, 24, was the Rockies' ninth overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft out of Spruce Creek High School in Port Orange, Fla. Veen worked his way through Colorado's minor-league system, and on April 8, 2025, he made his MLB debut.

During the 2025 season, Veen only appeared in 12 games, and he displayed the rough edges that many young players have when they first make their way to the majors. 

Over the 12 games he played in, Veen took 34 at-bats and only managed to post a .118 batting average, a .189 on-base percentage, a .235 slugging percentage and a .424 OPS. In his 34 at-bats, Veen struck out 14 times.

However, this season was different. 

Veen did not make his way back onto the field with the Rockies until Aug. 12, but when he did, he hit two home runs in his first six at-bats. 

By season's end, Veen had appeared in 36 games and logged a .232 batting average, a .312 on-base percentage, a .435 slugging percentage and a .747 OPS. In just a little over a year, Veen went from rock bottom statistically to a solid hitter with an above-average OPS.

As a defender, Veen spent most of his time in left field, playing in 22 games, 11 of which were starts. In 96 innings in left field, Veen totaled 21 putouts in 23 chances and kept his errors to just two, which was good for a .913 fielding percentage. 

He also made 11 appearances in right field and one appearance in center field, where he did not have any errors.

Veen might not be the best player on the Rockies roster, and it is easy to overlook him when other talent is present, but his story is one of perseverance. 

Veen never shied away from the developmental aspect of his professional baseball journey, and it has paid dividends for him. He is on an upward trajectory, and it will be interesting to see how he helps the Rockies in the future.