Five Rockies pitching prospects who could determine future of the franchise

The Rockies’ ever-evolving starting rotation will look much different in the coming seasons. Lefty Austin Gomber is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2025 season, as are right-handers German Marquez and Cal Quantrill.

However, there are several talented prospects in the system. Here are five who could become impactful starters over the next three seasons.

1. RPH Chase Dollander, 22: The ninth overall pick in the 2023 draft has a chance to be the best pitcher in Rockies history. The University of Tennessee product has an elite fastball and a biting slider and is developing a solid curveball and changeup. He’s dominated at High-A Spokane and Double-A Hartford this season, going 6-1 with a 2.38 ERA, 166 strikeouts and 43 walks over 22 starts. ETA: 2025, possibly before the All-Star break.

2. LHP Carson Palmquist, 23: There was speculation Palmquist would make his Rockies debut this season, but that’s not going to happen. He’s currently pitching at Triple-A Albuquerque (1-1, 4.85 ERA, 24 strikeouts, 14 walks in six starts), after shining at Double-A (6-4, 3.17 ERA, 113 strikeouts, 23 walks in 18 starts).  ETA: He’ll pitch for the Rockies in 2025 and could even break camp as part of the rotation.

3. RHP Gabriel Hughes, 23: Had it not been for an elbow injury that led to Tommy John surgery in July 2023, Hughes might already be pitching for the Rockies. The first-round pick out of Gonzaga in 2022 (10th overall) has made only 15 minor league starts (6-5, 5.94 ERA) including two at Double-A last summer before his injury. He can throw a high-90s fastball and is developing a full arsenal. He’s scheduled to pitch in the Arizona Fall League. ETA: He could make his big-league debut in 2026.

4. LHP Sean Sullivan, 22: A second-round pick out of Wake Forest in 2023, the strike-throwing Sullivan has been impressive this season at High-A Spokane (7-2, 2.16 ERA, 101 strikeouts, eight walks in 14 starts) and Double-A Hartford (1-0, 2.45 ERA, 18 strikeouts, four walks in five starts). Sullivan spent part of the summer at the Rockies’ pitching lab in Scottsdale, Ariz., working on his slider and changeup. ETA: He’ll most likely make his big-league debut in 2026, but late next season is not out of the question.

5. RHP Brody Brecht, 21: The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder played both baseball and football at Iowa before settling on baseball. He was selected in the Competitive Balance Round A of the 2024 Draft (No. 38 overall). He was the ace of the Hawkeyes’ staff and proved very tough to hit, finishing the season with a .165 batting average against and striking out 14.7 batters per nine innings. He’s got an excellent fastball/slider combination. He’ll have plenty to prove once he starts pitching in the minors but the Rockies love his upside. ETA: He’s young and not as developed as the others on this list, but a 2027 debut is possible.

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