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Patrick, I moved to Denver a year ago, and this is my first season following the Rockies closely. One glaring deficiency I’ve observed is the complete inability of the Rockies’ pitching staff to strike out batters. They are dead last in baseball by 116 K’s (the same gap between 29th and 12th place). Is the altitude to blame? Pitching to contact in Coors seems like a disastrous idea. And does the organization view this as a problem worth addressing?

— Dan, Denver

Dan, the timing of your question was perfect. Heading into Tuesday night’s game at Atlanta, Rockies pitchers ranked last in the majors with 943 strikeouts, and the Braves ranked first with 1,293.

Lack of strikeout power is a problem that’s vexed the Rockies for a long time, and I suppose somebody could write a dissertation on the subject. I don’t have time for that here, but I’ll toss out a few theories that have been bandied about through the years:

• The Rockies have simply not drafted or developed (or both), enough quality pitchers through the years.

• Aware of the dangers of pitching at altitude, the Rockies concentrated on sinkerball/slider pitchers for a number of years. The idea was that getting hitters to beat the ball into the dirt was the best way to succeed, hence the relative lack of strikeouts.

The Rockies have since moved away from that strategy, as farm director Chris Forbes told The Post last year in our “Rockie Way” project.

“We’re trying to develop more of a contrast approach than five, 10, 12 years ago in this organization, when it was (a lot of) sinker-slider,” Forbes said. “We have to recognize who can pitch at the top of the zone and who has to stay at the corners and the bottom, but ultimately, we’re letting these guys be themselves.”

• The Rockies face a catch-22. History has shown that pitchers who throw heat at the top of the zone and hunt for K’s tend to burn out pitching in Denver, and as their velocity ebbs, they get hit hard.

I was at the game (Sunday), and (Orioles right-hander) Zach Eflin had our hitters off balance. Bud Black pointed out that this illustrates that a curveball can “play” at Coors Field. Is the “common knowledge” that a ball doesn’t break as well here really true? Has it become an excuse for poor pitching? Others seem to be able to come in here and pitch well.

As always, thank you for your great coverage and for your time.

— Frank, Denver 

Frank, thanks for reading my Rockies content; it’s very much appreciated. You pose a great question in the wake of what Black said.

There is no question that the ball breaks less in Denver’s high altitude. That’s not based on anecdotal evidence but also on multiple studies over the years, including one in 2019 by FanGraphs. The general consensus is that a curveball typically breaks 2-3 inches less at Coors Field than it does at sea level. Through the years, pitchers have worked on adjusting their approach at Coors, changing their sites (targets) when they pitch at Coors.

Some pitchers have decent success making the adjustment, but many others not so much. Rockies players — both pitchers and hitters — struggle with making adjustments from home games to road games.

As for Black’s comments, he hates when his pitchers use Coors Field as an excuse for a poor performance. He goes out of his way to erase some of the stigma of pitching at Coors. He wants his pitchers to pitch — using their entire arsenal. He understands that his pitchers will get beat up, particularly on hot, dry summer days, but he’s fine with that as long as they outperform the opposition.

With the recent addition to the injured list for Lucas Gilbreath, German Marquez’s quick exit, and Antonio Senzatela not ready for the Rockies rotation, are pitching injuries on the rise? The Dodgers and Orioles have been hit hard, just to name a few teams. What’s with the voodoo from the pitching mound?

— Robert Emmerling, Limon

Robert, thanks for getting back in the Rockies Mailbag mix. As you probably know, the Rockies were actually doing pretty well dodging pitching injuries until last year when Marquez, Senzatela, Gibreath, Daniel Bard and multiple prospects suffered elbow injuries and had to have Tommy John surgery.

Many stories have been written about the rise in pitcher injuries, including one I wrote during spring training. Also, ESPN.com had an excellent story this spring in which several of the major league’s best pitchers weighed in on the “voodoo”, as you call it. The general consensus is that pitchers who go hunting for high velocity all of the time will run into trouble, probably sooner rather than later.

So for the players you mentioned, Senzatela will likely make a couple of starts for Colorado this season, but Marquez and Gilbreath are done.

Is Bud Black coming back next year? Back-to-back 100-loss seasons and three straight years at the bottom of the division doesn’t make for a great resume.

— Scott, Colorado Springs

Scott, I wrote about this topic recently, saying that whether he stays or goes, Blacks has deserved better talent than he’s been given.

But I understand why fans believe that a change needs to be made. The Rockies have already clinched their sixth consecutive losing season and are on pace to lose 102 games. My argument is that no matter who steered the Rockies ship in recent years, the lack of talent, combined with injuries to a number of pitchers, basically guaranteed losing seasons.

With this season being toast, what do you see the lineup and rotation being for next year?

— Mike, Denver

Wow, Mike, you really are Mr. Wait ‘Til Next Year.

A lot can happen between now and the opening day of 2025, but here is my projection, followed by some major caveats that will change things, as early as  May.

Lineup
C — Drew Romo
1B — Michael Toglia
2B — Brendan Rodgers
3B — Ryan McMahon
SS — Ezequiel Tover
LF — Jordan Beck
CF — Brenton Doyle
RF — Zac Veen
DH — Kris Bryant

Rotation
LHP — Kyle Freeland
LHP — Austin Gomber
RHP — Cal Quantrill
RHP — German Marquez
RHP — Antonio Senzatela

Now for my caveats:

• I do believe the Rockies will attempt to trade several players during the offseason, including Rodgers, Gomber and Quantrill, all of whom will be entering the final year of their contracts. Trades could drastically alter the roster.

• With many young, talented starters nearing their big-league debuts, I could see the rotation looking much different than the one I projected. No. 1 prospect Chase Dollander will be part of the rotation next season, perhaps very early.

• I have concerns about Marquez’s future. His elbow issues could be a much bigger deal than the Rockies have indicated, and with only one year left on his contract, I don’t know what his future in Colorado will be.

Kris Bryant’s under contract for, sigh, four more seasons. What is the best-case scenario we can see from him? Slashing .250/.332/.381 in 159 games for $78 million over the last three years is maddening.

— Marshall, Parker

Marshall, you forgot to mention that Bryant has hit only 17 home runs in 617 plate appearances with the Rockies over the past three seasons. That’s a 2.8% home run rate that falls below the major league average of 3.1%.

The best-case scenario is that Bryant works hard to strengthen his back during the offseason — I’m told he does not need surgery, but you never know — and becomes a decent designated hitter. There is no place for Bryant on the field because the Rockies have younger players who are much better fielders in the outfield and first base.

If Bryant ever gets healthy enough to play a full season, I could see him hitting .275 with 15-20 homers. Considering that the Rockies still owe Bryant $107 million through 2028, it’s been a disastrous free-agent signing.

Would the Rockies simply eat all of that money and cut Bryant loose? I’ve been told they are not contemplating that right now. But if it does happen down the road, I would not be shocked.

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Is Kris Bryant stuck in the role of light-hitting, reserve outfielder with periodic DH duties?

— Alex Brown, Englewood

Alex, as I noted in my Sunday Rockies Journal, Bryant’s future is one of the biggest question marks facing the Rockies. The club won’t say it publicly, but there is frustration over Bryant’s inability to stay on the field. There is also concern about his lack of production when he does play.

I floated the idea that it might make sense to put Bryant on the 60-day injured list and end his season right now. Perhaps that would allow him time to figure out how to keep his back healthy and start fresh next season.

Regarding your question, I’m unsure if the Rockies know what to do with Bryant going forward. Home run-hitting Michael Toglia is now the first baseman. With several young outfielders already making an impact (Brenton Doyle, Nolan Jones, Jordan Beck) and prospects on deck (led by Zac Veen and Yanquiel Fernandez), there’s little room for Bryant in the outfield. Plus, he’s not a very good outfielder.

So his future will primarily be as a designated hitter, albeit one who lacks power. His huge contract is an albatross, no doubt about it.

How long do we see Charlie Condon in Spokane? Does he finish the season in Double-A ball?

— Matt Whitfield, Denver

Matt, Condon will finish his first professional season at High-A Spokane. There is no reason to push him up to Hartford and the tough Double-A Eastern League. He’s already had a long college season and is getting his first taste of life in the minors. As I write this, he’s struggling. Through his first 10 games, he slashed .205/.279./.333 with one home run and two doubles. He has 15 strikeouts (28.3% K rate) and just two walks.

Condon has star potential, but there is no reason to rush him this summer.

Before I put this season in my bulging “Won’t Get Fooled Again” file, I’m having a troubling sliver of optimism: Brenton Doyle, Ezequiel Tovar, and, though still unproven, Michael Toglia, Jordan Beck, and Nolan Jones. Do these guys add up to a functioning line-up for the near future?

Yes, I’ve heard general manager Bill Schmidt’s assurance that success is growing in the minors, but trust gets harder to summon sooner or later. I thought I’d check with you.

— Bill, Denver

Bill, first of all, you must be as old as I am. A reference to The Who? Well done.

You and I are kindred spirits regarding the Rockies. Although those who troll the “Twittersphere” rip me when I say there are some reasons for optimism, I think there are. There are some exciting young position players and pitchers on the way up. MLB Pipeline recently ranked the Rockies’ farm system 12th overall, thanks to some solid drafts over the last few years.

Still, I remain skeptical that the playoffs are near. As I wrote in my recent journal, I believe the Rockies are further away from being a contender than they think they are. My conclusion: “Will the Rockies be better in 2025? Yep. But I don’t see playoffs on the horizon. I see a seventh straight losing season, and the Rockies asking their fans for more patience.”

Patrick, there are some GM wannabes on Rockies blogs who want to trade Brenton Doyle immediately to take a chance on younger, controllable options for the future. I think this is nuts as a fan who enjoys Doyle’s play and savors every win in the present. What do you think?

— Dom, Longmont

Dom, I’m with you, 100%.

I haven’t read any of those blog posts suggesting the Rockies trade Doyle, but you’re right, it would be nuts. Not only is Doyle incredibly entertaining, he is the best defensive center fielder the Rockies have ever had and just might be the best defensive center fielder in the majors right now.

Plus, thanks to his work and dedication in the offseason, he’s becoming a force at the plate. Doyle already has a Gold Glove, and I see All-Star Games and Silver Sluggers in his future. He has a chance to be the cornerstone of the franchise.

MLB needs to adjust some rules. It must ditch the ghost runner in extra innings and adjust the designated hitter. Here is a thought for you and others in the press box. Once a team pulls their starting pitcher, the DH is done for the day. Say hello to managing again, double switches, and an exciting end to the games. Would also behoove starters to go deeper into games. Thoughts?

— Rip, Aurora

Rip, it’s not going to happen. MLB is beyond thrilled with the shorter games and the pace of games.

I understand where you’re coming from, but I think most players and managers like the ghost runner in extra innings, and the full-time DH is here to stay. I would love to see starters pitch deeper into games, but with an emphasis on analytics (third time facing the order, etc.), I’m afraid those days are gone for good.

Have the Rockies already given up on Hunter Goodman? In a clearly lost season, Bud Black would much rather play short-term bench vets like Sam Hilliard or Jake Cave over Goodman while Jordan Beck gets to play in the lineup every day despite the numbers he puts up. I know they might think of Goodman as a B-tier prospect, but with his power, I’d still love to see if he could figure it out with a month’s worth of everyday at-bats.

— Isaac Bowen, Fort Collins

Issac, the Rockies haven’t “given up” on Goodman, even though they optioned him to Triple-A over the weekend to make room for Nolan Jones on the big league roster. The Rockies need to see what they have in Jones. The exciting rookie 20/20 rookie from last season? Or the injured, struggling player of this season?

If I had to pick between Beck and Goodman, I’d go with Beck, in large part because he’s a better outfielder. Their offensive numbers are similar. Beck is slashing .221/.250/.326 with two homers, 37 strikeouts (37% K rate) and just four walks. Goodman slashed .177/.219/.373 with eight home runs, 49 strikeouts (29.7 K rate) and six walks. Goodman’s home run rate is 3.7% compared to Beck’s 2.0%, though I think Beck has a chance to be a power hitter.

You make a good point about Black playing Cave and Hilliard ahead of Goodman before Goodman was sent down. I believe Black is trying to juggle playing time for “the kids” vs. putting a team on the field with the best chance to win. That’s why we’ve seen Cave getting a lot of playing time. I don’t agree with all of the playing time Cave is getting, but I understand why Black wants to win as many games as possible. It’s a quandary, for sure.

Hey Patrick, I was at Coors Field for Todd Helton’s Hall of Fame honor. What are some of your favorite memories covering No. 17?

— Marshall, Parker

Marshall, thanks for asking about Helton, who ranks as one of the favorite athletes I’ve ever covered.

He could be an irascible bear, but once you got to know him and gained his trust, he was wonderful. His dry, wicked sense of humor was legendary in the Rockies’ clubhouse.

For me, the best memories of Helton are personal ones. Here are a few:

• In January, when Helton got the call from the Hall of Fame, letting him know that he had been elected, I was fortunate enough to be at his house in Knoxville, Tenn. Todd’s wife, Christy, made me and my good friend, Thomas Harding of MLB.com, feel like a member of the family. It ranks as one of the most special days of my career. It was very emotional.

• Years ago, my nephew, Dylan, went on a road trip with me to San Diego. When Dylan got to the game at Petco Park, Helton went over to the fence and chatted Dylan up. Helton even asked the security guard to allow Dylan on the field. The guard said no, but Helton still made Dylan feel special.

• Many years ago, my wife, Nancy, got a field pass during spring training at Hi Corbett Field in Tucson, Ariz. (I think it was 2008). We were hanging around the batting cage, and Nancy met Matt Holliday, Troy Tulowitzki and some other Rockies players.

But it was Helton who made her day — at my expense.

I introduced Helton to Nancy, and after he had taken his swings in the cage, he cozied up to Nancy, pointed at me, and said, “Let me understand this. You have to go home with him tonight? Come here, you need a hug.”

After taking another turn in the cage, Helton cozied up to Nancy again and said, “Wait, so you have to sleep in the same bed as him tonight? Come here, you need another hug.”

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We received several questions about Colorado’s inaction at the trade deadline. Here are a couple that sum up what some fans are feeling and asking.

Another deadline has passed while we sit and watch the Rockies do nothing to better themselves. No free agents were signed over the winter, no trades of significance were made last week, does the front office not understand baseball or do they truly believe the next World Series team is currently warming up down in Albuquerque? Why weren’t Elias Diaz, Cal Quantrill, Brendan Rodgers or Austin Gomber shipped elsewhere for future assets?

— Rob Van Winkle, Castle Pines

Hey Patrick, a lot of fans felt the trade deadline was a swing-and-miss for the Rockies by not being able to unload some veterans who won’t be part of the future going forward. On that note, when can we expect to see some more of the youth movement? I would like to see guys such as Drew Romo make their debut as well as Jordan Beck, Adael Amador and Greg Jones return to get more big-league exposure

— Jason, Tulare, Calif.

Rob and Jason, I know a lot of fans think the Rockies whiffed at the trade deadline. I get it. It’s hard to see where this team is headed, although general manager Bill Schmidt continues to express confidence that the team will turn the corner, perhaps as soon as 2025.

As I wrote in my Sunday journal, “color me skeptical.”

However, the Rockies didn’t whiff at the deadline. Diaz could have been traded but his calf injury derailed that idea.

From what I have been told, there wasn’t a lot of interest in Quantrill or Gomber. Since they both have another year remaining on their contracts, it would have been silly just to give them away at the deadline. The same goes for Rodgers.

But as I wrote in my journal, “… Next season is critical and why general manager Bill Schmidt needs to make some aggressive, savvy moves — beginning this offseason.” That could very well include trading Rodgers, Quantrill or Gomber.

Having said that, I agree with Jason. The Rockies need to play their prospects a lot over the final eight weeks of the season. Beck, who just had a four-hit night at Triple-A Albuquerque, will return to the Rockies soon. I hope he starts as often as possible. I fully expect Romo to make his big-league debut behind the plate, and Amador will also return to the majors after getting himself straightened out at the plate. The Rockies also need to see if Nolan Jones can rebound from his rough season.

Manager Bud Black has told me that he plans to give young players plenty of playing time. But Black also wants to win. So it’s a bit of a Catch-22. We’ll see how it plays out.

Hi Patrick. I don’t understand why Charlie Condon isn’t playing yet in games and developing his skill as a professional player. It’s been nearly two weeks since he’s signed. Can you provide any intel? Thank you.

— Patrick Schurott, Parker

Patrick, Condon beat you to the punch.

He made his pro debut on Tuesday night with High-A Spokane against the Tri-City Dust Devils.

Here’s what the Spokane Spokesman-Review reported:

“Condon went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts in his debut.

“It’s good to get out here, get my feet wet, you know, get to know the guys,” he said. “I’m playing with a good group of guys and looking forward to making a good postseason run with this group. They’ve been doing a lot of things right this year, and I’m excited to be part of it.”

“It’s something new for him,” manager Robinson Cancel said before the game. “Hopefully, he’ll start out on the right foot. You know, it’s a little transition between college and pro ball. The tools are there, so hopefully, he’ll get locked in right away.

“He’s a good spirit, excited about it, and I think he’ll fit right in this clubhouse.”

Hey Patrick, what’s going on with Zac Veen? I thought this was supposed to be his breakout year.

— George, Westminster

George, I thought Veen would debut this season and make his mark. He started off the season red-hot at Double-A Hartford but injuries have once again derailed his season, and he’s been limited to just 44 games. He’s now dealing with a thumb injury after battling a lower back strain.

Rockies farm director Chris Forbes told me Wednesday that Veen is currently rehabbing at the team’s facility in Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Ariz. There is no timetable for Veen’s return.

Patrick, I love your incisive Rockies coverage. It’s worth the cost of a subscription on its own!

What are your thoughts on the Rox rotation for next season? Who’ll be back? Any interesting free agents the Rockies should consider? Which Rookies might make the rotation out of spring training? Debuts during the season? Same question for the bullpen.

Keep up the good work!

— Paul T., long-suffering Rockies and Cubs fan, Lakewood

Paul, thank you for your kind words and for your readership. It’s not easy being a Rockies fan — or a beat writer — these days.

The rotation is in a state of flux but it shows promise. As I wrote recently:

“The future rotation has potential and has a chance to remind us of the stellar 2017-18 crew. (Kyle) Freeland is returning to form. (German) Marquez, presumably, will come back strong from Tommy John surgery. The same goes for (Antonio) Senzatela.

“Cal Quantrill (if he’s not traded in the offseason) and Gomber (ditto) are capable of solid innings, and righty Ryan Feltner, though a work in progress, has the raw stuff to be a force. Lefty Carson Palmquist and right-handers Chase Dollander and Gabriel Hughes are prospects with promising futures.”

The bullpen will likely be overhauled during the offseason. The Rockies will likely try to acquire a couple of veteran relievers to shore it up. Because pitchers are reluctant to come to Colorado, quality relievers might have to be acquired via a trade.

It seems like the complete non-performance by Nolan Jones, Elehuris Montero and Sean Bouchard has set the Rockies’ rebuild back a year. Is Nolan Jones the next Trevor Story, who just had a bad sophomore slump or the next one-year wonder like Tyler Colvin?

— Isaac P. Bowen, Fort Collins

Issac, first of all, the Rockies have several talented outfield prospects, so I don’t worry much about Montero and Bouchard’s subpar performances.

Jones is another matter. He has a ton of talent and it would be a shame if he becomes a “one-year wonder.” As I wrote last week, Jones is struggling with the mental and physical side of the game. And scouts have told me that Jones is revealing the holes in his swing that convinced the Guardians to trade him to Colorado.

The bottom line is that it’s way too early to give up on Jones, but he has to get healthy.

Hi Patrick, I was disappointed to learn in your recent article about the Rockies’ seeming indifference about extending Cal Quantrill. For all the head-scratching about how to find starters who can succeed at Coors, as you point out, he’s proven he can do so. He has the cerebral approach Bud Black praised, competitive fire (the Rockies are sorely in need of players with swagger), and most importantly — consistency. As talented as German Marquez, Kyle Freeland and Austin Gomber may be, they are mercurial, and you never know what you’re getting out of any given start. Since an exciting team is a couple of years away, and you never know which young pitchers will pan out, what is their logic in not being more excited about Quantrill as a stabilizing presence as the young bucks come up? You said the Rockies would balk at three years? He’s 29. I say give him four.

— John, Los Angeles

John, I kind of, sort of, agree with you. There’s a lot to like about Quantrill.

But there are several major issues at play here. First, Quantrill has been roughed up lately, so he has a mercurial side, too. Second, Quantrill wants to play for a contender and I’m not sure if he wants to stay in Colorado beyond 2025. Third, he might want more money than the Rockies will give him. Finally, the Rockies believe their pitching prospects are ready to bloom.

Hey Patrick, seems like more players on the Rockies and across the league are using quality ash bats again. Can you give some insight into why players are making the change?

— Rip, Aurora

Rip, I posed your question to several Rockies, including Brendan Rodgers, Ryan McMahon and Jake Cave. They didn’t agree that more players are using ash bats instead of maple or birch bats.

McMahon told me that he’d tried ash bats but prefers maple, but acknowledged that some players like the lighter feel and speed of ash bats.

“There is more flex to ash bats and the ball goes further, kind of a trampoline effect,” McMahon said.

Rodgers, who has switched from maple to ash bats, told me: “When I was kind of struggling earlier, the rep for Rawlings told me they were making bats again and that their wood was quality. He said, ‘And we’re making ash bats.’

“I was like, ‘Cool. I’ll try it.’ It’s a good, hard, wood. They break a little bit, but it does feel a little lighter.”

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Being a Greeley man like myself, you would think (owner) Mr. Dick Monfort would have a throwback Denver Bears uniform day once in a while (re: University of Northern Colorado Bears). As a history guy, I wish more teams would do this. If I owned the Baltimore Orioles, I would have them wear throwback St. Louis Browns jerseys every time they played the St. Louis Cardinals at home. Do you think the owners are just not history buffs?

— Winston Smith, Greeley

Winston, I love your idea of the Rockies wearing throwback Denver Bears jerseys in honor of the longtime Triple-A team. However, it’s my understanding that the Rockies do not have the rights to the Bears’ images and uniforms, so they can’t dress the team in throwbacks.

The Rockies have had several Denver Bears nights at Coors Field, where they handed out Bears jerseys to fans. Those jerseys are coveted items.

Perhaps, someday, the Rockies will have the players wear them.

As for the owners not being history buffs, I don’t think that’s true. I think Dick and Charlie Monfort, both longtime residents of our state, care a lot about history. But they also care about marketing to turn a profit. Maybe they’ll see your question and explore whether or not they can do Denver Bears throwbacks.

Hi Patrick. Thank you for all the Rockies coverage. With Kris Bryant struggling with physical issues, if he does come back, how about using him just as a designated hitter? Much like Peyton Manning dropping down when protection broke down to protect from injury, why doesn’t Kris do the same? The latest injury catching a foul fly ball was a nice catch, but missing his bat for so many games is not worth it. Hopefully, he can be productive as a DH or he’ll be another big disappointment from a contract standpoint for the Rockies.

— Paul, Aurora

Paul, Bryant returned to the starting lineup Tuesday night when the Rockies hosted the Red Sox. He started in right field and hit fifth. The plan is to use Bryant in right field, at first base and as a DH. Manager Bud Black will mix and match him in the lineup.

I asked Black before Tuesday’s game if he had any qualms about playing Bryant in right field, especially given Bryant’s back problems. Black said he had no issue with Bryant in right, but with Michael Toglia playing excellent defense at first base and showing home run power, Black must be creative with his lineup.

“Physically, KB feels good,” Black said. “He’s a veteran player whom you trust to let you know how he feels.”

Black said Bryant’s “flexibility” is key.

“We are able to move KB from right to first to DH,” Black said. “And then Charlie (Blackmon) is in the mix, too. Toglia is playing a really great defensive first base and has saved us a bunch of runs, which is so important.

“Getting KB back in the mix after two months out means he’s not going to be (in the lineup) every day.”

What’s the plan for left-hander Ryan Rolison?

— Mark Sherrod, Latrobe, Pa.

Mark, that’s a timely question. I asked farm director Chris Forbes for an update and he said Rolison is finally healthy and pitching as a reliever at Triple-A Albuquerque. Rolison is 1-2 with a 3.22 ERA in 14 games (four starts), but he’s only pitched 22 1/3 innings.

When asked if the Rockies would try to restore Rolison to full-time starter status, Forbes said, “I’m not sure.”

Rolison, 27, was Colorado’s first-round draft choice in 2018. He’s battled a series of shoulder injuries and missed the entire 2023 season when he underwent shoulder surgery. There are no immediate plans for him to make his big-league debut.

We were at Coors Field for the Rockies’ second game against the Royals and sat on the third-base side at the club level. There was what appeared to be a camera on a wire going back and forth from home to the outfield at a pretty good clip. What is this, and what function does it provide? It seemed to be moving too fast to be broadcasting video.

— Dave, Johnstown

Dave, I asked Cory Sullivan, the former Rockies outfielder and current analyst for Rockies.TV, about the crazy contraption. You’re correct, it is a camera.

“It’s called a wirecam,” Sullivan said.

He explained that the camera has multiple functions. It can zoom in on the action, spin around to focus on various views of the ballpark, and also take still photos.

“The really cool thing it can do is go with the ball when a right-handed hitter is up,” Sullivan said. “So if a right-hander pulls a home run to left, the camera can follow the ball the whole way.”

Sullivan said the camera moves especially fast when it’s being used as part of various advertisements in breaks between innings.

Hey Patrick, what do you think the ETA is for Charlie Condon to reach the majors? And where do you think he fits with the team?

— Mark, Arvada

Mark, all indications are that Condon, the No. 3 overall draft pick out of Georgia, is on the fast track to the majors. For one thing, he played three years in college. For another, he played in the SEC, the best college baseball conference in the country. Plus, he’s already mature. I could see him debuting at the end of the 2025 season.

His position at the big-league level is yet to be determined. He was a very versatile college player and that’s a major reason why the Rockies like him so much. I think he will eventually become a full-time corner outfielder. He can play third base and first base, too, but outfield is his likely destination.

Might Dakota Hudson’s pitching career with the Rockies be over? Or might there be redemption still left this season?

— Ed Helinski, Auburn, N.Y.

Ed, because the Rockies want to get a long look at their young pitcher and because Hudson performed so poorly, I doubt he will get another shot in the majors this season. It wouldn’t shock me to see him get called up from Triple-A Albuquerque, but I don’t expect it.

The Rockies designated Hudson for assignment earlier this month after the right-hander struggled with a 5.84 ERA and 1.64 WHIP across 17 starts. Hudson cleared waivers, was outrighted to Triple-A Albuquerque, and is on the Isotopes’ roster.

Why do the Rockies always seem to open the season on the road? Since 2012, the Rockies have had an MLB opening day at Coors Field only ONCE — vs. the Dodgers in 2021. This excludes the COVID-shortened 2020 season and the 2022 lockout that altered that season’s opening week. With the release of the 2025 schedule, the Rockies will once again open the season on the road.

— David Herrera, Questa, N.M.

David, there are a few reasons for this. No. 1, while major league teams provide input and make requests for certain days on the schedule, the schedule is ultimately in the hands of Major League Baseball.

Secondly, the Rockies love hosting their home opener on a Friday. Hosting it on that day makes for a nice, long weekend and turns Friday into an unofficial holiday in LoDo. The Rockies don’t always host their home opener on Friday, but that’s what they prefer.

Finally, the Rockies hope to dodge major snowstorms by delaying the home opener by a week or so. Given Denver’s fickle weather, that doesn’t always work, but the Rockies have had remarkably good weather for their opening-day parties.

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Was 2023 Nolan Jones’ ceiling? Or did the early-season injuries set him too far back?

— Kyle, Thornton

Kyle, I don’t think Jones peaked last season when he slashed .297/.389/.542 with 20 homers and 20 stolen bases in 106 games. He’s an athletically gifted player, and his work ethic is off the charts. He has more to give.

However, the left fielder is struggling (.187/.291/.594, a 34.4% strikeout rate), and it will take him some time to get right. It might even make sense to option him down to Triple-A Albuquerque for a tune-up and a confidence boost. Ultimately, he must show he can hit consistently in the majors. The Rockies have a lot of talented outfielders in the pipeline, so he’ll have competition for a job.

While Jones’ injuries (back and knee) certainly didn’t help him, that’s not the primary reason for his slump. People I’ve talked to within the organization tell me that Jones is working through mechanical issues and is prone to putting too much pressure on himself.

He’s late firing on pitches, is letting too many first-ball strikes go by, and has too many holes in his swing. Plus, the league has a book on him now. His struggles resemble those he endured in Cleveland, so the Guardians were willing to trade him to Colorado.

Having said that, Jones has the right stuff to bounce back. We’ll have to see if he can. I’m rooting for him.

The constant promotional video during Rockies games on TV drives me crazy. Can’t they do something else between innings? It’s the same thing, game after game.

— Anita, Denver

Anita, I watch a lot of games on Rockies.TV, too. And I’ll admit the videos drive me a little crazy, too. My guess is that the Rockies run those promotional videos because they haven’t sold enough advertising to fill the time between innings.

If the Rockies start winning, that will change.

The videos are well-done montages, but they sure get stale when they’re shown over and over.

As terrible as this sounds, might the Rockies reach 110 losses this season?

— Ed Helinski, Auburn, N.Y.

Ed, as I write this, the Rockies are on pace to finish 57-105. As I wrote in my recent Rockies Journal, I think the Rockies will likely lose 100 games for the second consecutive season. However, I don’t think they’ll lose 110.

But it doesn’t matter what their final tally is because the main purpose of the second half of the season should be to give their young players experience and a chance to grow. And for the organization to evaluate that talent.

That could mean more losses. Many fans will hate that approach, but the Rockies have to bite the bullet.

Will Ryan McMahon, Cal Quantrill and/or Elias Diaz be moved? Will they try to move Kris Bryant’s contract?

— Jacob, New York

Jacob, I’ve written about the trade possibilities before, but I’ll do a quick review. I would be shocked if McMahon (a first-time All-Star) is traded. I’d be mildly surprised if the Rockies dealt Quantrill, but not shocked. I think Diaz will be traded. I also think there’s a chance that second baseman Brendan Rodgers is dealt.

As for Bryant, there is no way the Rockies can trade him unless they eat a lot of money on the contract.

Fire Bud Black now and hire Vinny Castilla or Warren Schaeffer! Not that it will make any difference in the win/loss column, nobody could, but they need to change the attitude and atmosphere in the locker room. This is a loser’s locker room with a losing manager, they need to change the vibe!

— A.J., Mt. Juliet, Tenn.

A.J., how do you know it’s a “loser’s locker room?” By the way, I prefer “clubhouse” to “locker room” for baseball.

The Rockies are a bad team, no question about it. But their vibe inside the clubhouse is actually pretty good. Is there frustration? Sure. Do the Rockies need more talent? Absolutely. However, the environment is not toxic, and Black should get some credit for that.

As for making Castilla the manager, I don’t see that happening. He’s a consultant and a bridge between the front office and players. He’s very tight with the players, especially the Latino players. Too tight, in fact, to be the players’ boss.

Schaffer has a bright future, but I don’t think now is the time for him to replace Black.

Hi Patrick, regarding your article on the Rockies’ draft prospects over the past 10 years, how do the Rockies compare to other well-run and competent organizations? Big market (L.A., N.Y.) or small (Tampa Bay, Milwaukee)? Do other teams have a better track record?

Given the Rockies’ nonsensical belief that they are a draft-and-develop organization, it doesn’t seem as if any of their prospects from the last 10 years are stars, especially considering how many high draft picks they’ve had. Who was their last bona fide draft prospect that became a legitimate perennial all-star? Even Arenado seems less legitimate now that he’s no longer playing at Coors Field (or he’s getting older). Todd Helton? Are they 1 for 200 or so in properly evaluating talent?

— Joe, Denver

Wow, Joe, that’s a lot to chew on. I don’t have time to explore all of your questions, but I’ll give you some snapshots:

• According to a recent study by Baseball America, the Rockies rank 23rd out of 30 when it comes to drafting and developing pitchers.

• Kyle Newman, my Denver Post colleague, did a deep dive into the Rockies’ draft-and-develop philosophy as part of our “Rockie Way” project last fall. He found that while Colorado matched up pretty well in overall draft production vs. the rest of the National League West, the Rockies have failed to develop enough high-impact players over the last decade.

• According to a recent story, the Rockies’ farm system was ranked 12th by USA Today, 19th by FanGraphs and eighth by Bleacher Report.

• Trevor Story, now with the Red Sox but out for the season with an injury, was a great pick (45th overall in 2011), as was Arenado (second round, 2009). But I think it’s fair to say that the Rockies haven’t hit a lot of home runs with their early picks in the draft.

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Greetings Patrick. Where do we start? Unproductive outs (as witnessed Sunday) or ineffective relief pitching?

As your statistics showed today, the Rockies’ bullpen is terribly inefficient. Is this a product of insufficient talent or lack of coaching in the organization? Should the Rockies spend more time and resources scouting pitching specifically?

— Robert Emmerling, Limon

Robert, you hit on two things that have plagued the Rockies throughout their ongoing six-season losing streak.

The stats you reference are from a tweet I posted on Monday illustrating the struggles of the Rockies’ bullpen:

• 5.78 ERA (highest in majors)

• 1.63 WHIP (highest)

• .290 avg. against (highest)

• 7.32 strikeouts per nine innings (third fewest)

• 4.43 walks per nine innings (second highest)

The Rockies’ bullpen is a mess, and it’s cost them a lot of games this season, most recently a 2-1 loss to the Nationals on Sunday, which wasted a terrific start from Kyle Freeland.

Are the bullpen woes because of a lack of talent or poor coaching? I’m going to go with the former. The team doesn’t have a true closer, and late-game relievers Jake Bird (6.25 ERA), Justin Lawrence (6.12) and Tyler Kinley (8.40) have all struggled much more than the Rockies anticipated. Possible closer Daniel Bard is out for the season with an elbow injury.

Relievers are notoriously volatile — good one season, bad the next. But most of the Rockies’ relievers have been bad this season, save for Victor Vodnik (4.39 ERA) and veteran lefty Jalen Beeks (3.76). But even Beeks, a possible trade chip as next month’s deadline looms, has been undependable. He has six saves, but he’s also blown five.

I suspect manager Bud Black knew his bullpen would be shaky back in spring training. But not this shaky. He’s tried to mix and match, but nothing has worked.

The Rockies will not make a major investment in a legitimate closer or quality set-up men until the team has a realistic chance of being a contender. In 2017, they invested in closer Greg Holland, and in ’18, they invested in Wade Davis. The Rockies made the playoffs in each of those seasons.

What will it take for (owner) Dick Monfort and company to get off their wallets, invest in the team and build another attraction at Coors Field? We are well on pace for our second 100-plus loss season, and we can’t boycott because transplants fill up Coors every home game anyway. I’m just so tired of being a fan of a franchise that doesn’t care about being competitive.

— Jericho Goering, Denver

Jericho, I usually ignore questions regarding Monfort because they are usually just rants. But you raise some interesting points I often hear from fans, so I’ll tackle your issues.

First, it’s a misnomer that the Rockies don’t spend money. Their current payroll is $147.2 million, ranking 16th in the majors. The problem is that the Rockies don’t spend their money wisely.

This season, the Rockies are paying Kris Bryant $28 million, and he’s played in only 24 games because of injuries. Bryant’s seven-year, $182 million contract has become an albatross for Colorado. I had an agent tell me that many in the industry thought the Rockies overpaid by as much as $50 million when they signed Bryant back in the spring of 2021.

Colorado is also paying Charlie Blackmon $13 million this season. I realize he’s a franchise icon, but he turns 38 on July 1 and he’s currently on the injured list with a strained hamstring. Blackmon has hit only three homers this season with a .747 OPS.

By comparison, the Pirates re-signed franchise icon Andrew McCutchen to a one-year, $5 million deal. He turns 38 on Oct. 10 and he’s hit 10 homers with a .741 OPS.

The Rockies paid Blackmon twice as much as they needed to.

As our Rockie Way project illustrated late last season, this is a difficult franchise to understand.

As for your contention that transplants fill up Coors, I suppose there is some truth to that. Still, a broad mix of fans go to Coors during the summer: vacationing tourists, fans of visiting teams, Twentysomethings hanging out at the party deck, families on a family outing and even hard-core Rockies fans.

I’m not a fan of boycotting local sports teams, but fans can do whatever they want. It’s your money. I just don’t think a boycott will change things.

By the way, the Rockies are averaging 29,023 fans per home game, ranking 16th in the majors. Toss out the two games in Mexico City in April that were counted as Rockies home games, and the average is 29,521.

We have two questions related to infield prospect Aaron Schunk.

Patrick, do you see Aaron Schunk getting called up this year?

— Josh Tobias, Meridian, Idaho

Hey Patrick, keep the great coverage coming! Brendan Rodgers’ injury provided an opportunity to call up an infield prospect. I can see the allure of giving our No. 1 prospect (Adael Amador) a taste to move along the development curve. Still, I thought Aaron Schunk (also a Top-30 prospect) was a deserving candidate, with his play so far this season at Triple-A Albuquerque. Any thoughts?

— Ryan, Pasadena, Calif.

Guys, Schunk is having a solid season for the Isotopes but he’s not exactly kicking down the door. He’s slashing .288/.334/.469 with seven home runs. You have to remember that the offensive numbers players put up at Albuquerque are not an accurate predictor of what they’ll do in the majors.

Plus, Schunk is not currently on the 40-man roster, and he’s not a shortstop, which limits his versatility.

Amador, who was on the 40-man roster at the time of his promotion, was brought up from Double-A Hartford because the Rockies wanted to get a reliable gauge of his development. The Rockies didn’t expect Amador to thrive — and they would have been surprised if he did — but they did want him to get a taste of the majors and see what he needs to work on.

Clearly, Amador has a lot of work to do at the plate (.171/.194/.200 slash line with one double in 35 at-bats) and at second base, where he was out of position or late to the ball on several would-be groundball outs.

What realistic move(s) could get the Rockies back to at least .500 baseball this season or next?

— Bill Coder, Highlands Ranch

Bill, the Rockies are on pace to lose 106 games this season. There is no way they can even sniff a .500 record this season. While several people in the organization believe the Rockies can become a .500 team in 2025, I am very skeptical.

Their starting pitching might be relatively solid next season with the return of German Marquez, but they need to beef up a punchless offense, and the bullpen is a mess. I don’t see them filling all of the holes by ’25. Reaching .500 by 2026 is more realistic.

Why are the Rockies still holding on to Elehuris Montero? He seems to have regressed from his progress last September, and I’d rather see Michael Toglia get those ABs.

— Jason, Tulare, Calif.

Jason, with Kris Bryant still on the injured list, Montero and Toglia have been getting plenty of at-bats. Toglia, in fact, has started 17 games since he was recalled from Triple-A on June 6.

But, to your main point, the Rockies still hope Montero develops into a productive power hitter. He’s made tremendous strides as a first baseman, but he’s in no-man’s land at the plate.

While he’s reduced his strikeout rate from 36.2% last season to 21.8% this season and increased his walk rate from 4.9% to 8.2%, he’s sacrificed power. Montero has hit only four home runs while carrying a .209 batting average. He hit .243 with 11 homers last season. Montero’s home run rate has fallen from 3.6% to 1.7%.

In my opinion, Montero’s production indicates he’s a marginal big-league player.

Toglia flashes a lot of potential but his inconsistency is troubling. Even though he’s hit seven home runs and his 6.0% home run rate is double the major league average, Toglia is batting just .194. His strikeout rate is 36.8%, far above the MLB average of 22.5%.

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My questions are all trade-related. With Adael Amador getting his first taste of the bigs, I think Brendan Rodgers could be a good candidate to move in the offseason. Elias Diaz is obviously the top trade candidate and guys like Elehuris Montero and Hunter Goodman probably need to be moved to free up the logjam of young first base/outfield/designated hitter guys. Is there any package of Rockies players that you see netting the Rox a top-end rotational prospect?

— Shawn T., Chicago

Shawn, as exciting as it is to see Amado get called up, the Rockies don’t believe he’s ready to be an everyday player. When Rodgers’ hamstring injury heals and when he comes off the injured list, Amador will be optioned back to the minors.

That being said, clubs still might be interested in Rodgers, who’s scheduled to become a free agent after the 2025 season. Colorado came close to trading “B-Rod” to the Marlins for pitcher Edward Cabrera after the 2022 season, but the deal was never completed.

You’re right about Diaz being the Rockies’ most coveted player, even though he strained his left calf in the first inning of Monday night’s game at Minnesota and could end up on the IL. Diaz is a free agent after this season, and the Cubs and Padres are two teams that have reportedly talked with the Rockies about a trade. If the Rockies have a decent offer, they have to move Diaz.

I don’t think Montero or Goodman would bring much of a return unless they were part of a package. However, general manager Bill Schmidt has said he’s willing to listen to trades for prospects. Colorado certainly is hunting for a top-flight pitching prospect.

Good day, Patrick. Kris Bryant has acknowledged that he has had a bad back (discs and arthritis) for some time, which will impact the rest of his career. Was none of this disclosed or found during a physical before the Rockies signed him to that astronomical contract? Ability is availability, which is haunting the Avalanche and now the Rockies. Thank you.

— Robert Emmerling, Limon

Hello Robert, thanks for your continued participation in my Rockies Mailbag. It’s very much appreciated.

I’ve asked the same question because when you sign a player to a seven-year, $182 million contract, they better not be damaged goods. However, professional sports teams keep details of injuries private — unless the player wants to discuss them — so it’s difficult to get a clear picture of injuries, especially during the season.

I do not know the condition of Bryant’s lower back when he signed with the Rockies before the 2022 season.  But I know that players undergo extensive physical exams before contracts are signed, and I’m sure the Rockies thoroughly evaluated Bryant.

Many athletes have back ailments, but they find ways to manage them. Every player is different, with varying degrees of pain tolerance. Some players cover up injuries. I don’t know for sure how Bryant is dealing with his injury.

Following is a chart of Bryant’s injury history that ran with my May 12 story on the dilemma facing Bryant and the Rockies:

Kris Bryant’s Injury List

2018#: Limited to 102 games. On IL twice from left shoulder inflammation, June 23-July 11 and July 24-Sept. 1. Marked the first time in his career he landed on the IL.

2019#: Played in 147 games. Suffered a right ankle sprain on Sept. 22 and missed the remainder of the season.

2020#: On the IL Aug. 19-Sept. 1 with a left ring finger sprain suffered on Aug. 12 while attempting a diving catch in left field. Missed four games from Sept. 22-25 with right lower oblique tightness.

2022: Limited to 42 games. On the IL with a lower back strain April 29-May 21 and May 23-June 27. On the IL on Aug. 1 with plantar fasciitis in his left foot and missed the remainder of the season.

2023: Limited to 80 games. On the IL June 1-30 with a bruised left heel. On the IL July 22-Sept. 11 with a fractured left index finger following a hit-by-pitch on July 22.

2024: Went on the injured list with a strained lower back strain on April 14. Missed 24 of the first 37 games. Went back on the IL on June 3 with a left rib contusion.

Source: Rockies media guide | # Played for the Chicago Cubs

How many times this year have the Rockies had a runner on third with less than two outs and failed to score? I am guessing more than 30 times. So, why not try a squeeze? At least three out of four times it is successful and is better than not getting the ball in play at all.

— Tom Ricca, Centennial

Tom, believe it or not, the Rockies have hit relatively well with a runner on third base and less than two outs. Entering Wednesday’s game, their average was .322 (19 for 59), the seventh-best in the majors. In other words, the Rockies have come up empty 40 times, but most other teams have fared worse.

As for the squeeze play, the Rockies simply don’t have many players who are adept at bunting, let alone putting down a successful squeeze bunt.

Patrick, why did the Rockies go away from loading up on big power-hitting bats to doing whatever they’re doing now? We haven’t been over the league’s average in team home runs since 2018 — the last year we were actually competitive. Having big bats when you’re playing at altitude just makes sense to me. What say you?

— Rob, Colorado Springs

Rob, I’m perplexed, as are manager Bud Black and general manager Bill Schmidt. They both expected more power.

The Rockies have attempted to “load up” on power hitters in recent years, but several players haven’t performed as the team expected. This list is long: Kris Bryant, Brendan Rodgers, Michael Toglia, Elehuris Montero, Sam Hilliard, and, to a lesser extent, Ryan McMahon.

The Rockies have suffered power outages before, but never like the slump they’ve been in since 2019. The club has either picked the wrong guys or failed to develop them.

Hey Patrick, love your coverage! We just saw Adael Amador get his first taste in the majors. Do you see any other prospects making their debuts this year, like Zac Veen or Benny Montgomery?

— Mark, Arvada

Hey Mark, thanks for the kind words.

I thought Veen would make his debut this season, especially considering his hot start at Double-A Hartford. But now he’s trying to come back from a strained lower back. He’s currently lining up to play rehab games in the Rockies’ rookie-level Arizona Complex League affiliate. He’s been shut down since May 18. There is still a chance he could get called up by the Rockies late this season.

Montgomery underwent surgery to repair his left shoulder in early May. He sustained the injury while diving for a ball in the outfield. There’s a chance he’ll play again this season, but it won’t be with the Rockies.

The other candidates to get called up include catcher Drew Romo, left-handed pitcher Carson Palmquist and possibly hard-throwing right-hander Jaden Hill.

In your opinion, which Rockies player is worthy of team MVP honor so far this season?

— Ed Helinski, Auburn, N.Y.

Ed, there is no question that Colorado’s MVP is shortstop Ezequiel Tovar. He plays a premier position and has a good chance to win his first Gold Glove this season. He’s hitting .293 and his 11 homers rank second to third baseman Ryan McMahon’s 11. Tovar’s 32 RBIs rank second to McMahon’s 38.

Here is a thumbnail look at what Tovar has done this season, entering Wednesday’s game at Minnesota:

•  Nine of his 11 home runs have come on the road.

• He ranked among National League leaders in doubles (20, second), extra-base hits (32, tied for second), multi-hit games (24, tied for second), total bases (136, tied for third) and slugging (.491, 10th).

• Had made three errors in 300 total chances, a .990 fielding percentage that ranked as the best among all major league shortstops.

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We’re well on our way to being sellers this year. Who do you think might be on the trading block at the deadline?

— Mark, Arvada

Mark, as you know, the Rockies have often been reluctant to make trades. But general manager Bill Schmidt threw a changeup last summer when he traded veterans: first baseman/designated hitter Mike Moustakas, relievers Pierce Johnson and Brad Hand, first baseman C.J. Cron and outfielder Randal Grichuk.

So, I’ll be interested to see what the Rockies do in late July. Their most coveted player would be third baseman Ryan McMahon, but I don’t see them trading “RyMac.” Second baseman Brendan Rodgers remains a possibility, but I don’t know if they would get a lot for him.

With veteran catchers Elias Diaz and Jacob Stallings performing well, I could see the Rockies trading one of them.

Schmidt has been reluctant to trade prospects, but he’s not ruling it out. Perhaps the Rockies could create a combo package.

The Rockies, of course, are always looking for starting pitching. Yet that presents an interesting dilemma. German Marquez (due back from Tommy John surgery before the All-Star break), Cal Quantrill and lefty Austin Gomber are all scheduled to become free agents after next season. If the Rockies’ brass honestly doesn’t think the team can win next season, would they consider trading those pitchers?

For example, suppose a team made an excellent offer for Gomber. Don’t the Rockies have to listen? Then again, maybe the Rockies think they can be a playoff team in 2025.

Should the Rockies look to extend Cal Quantrill?

— Steve, Albuquerque, N.M.

Steve, your question nicely piggybacks on our first question. Quantrill didn’t choose to come to Colorado; he was part of a trade with the Guardians. But he’s become a popular teammate, and he’s pitching well. He seems to like Colorado, but he’ll also be looking for a career contract when he becomes a free agent after the 2025 season.

It’s a tricky situation. Plus, he said something interesting after his last start.

“What’s really important to me is playing for a winning franchise,” he said.

He wasn’t taking a shot at the Rockies. He was saying that winning is more important than his individual success. But Quantrill might not want to stick around if the Rockies don’t improve significantly.

Still, if Quantrill continues to pitch well and his right shoulder stays healthy, the Rockies should investigate an extension through 2026 or ’27.

What letter grade would you assign the Rockies for their results and efforts at this point of the season? And what needs to happen to receive a better grade? And coming up at the one-third mark of the season, what, if anything, has been positive about this year’s Rockies club?

— Ed Helinski, Auburn, N.Y.

Ed, if you had asked me that question three weeks ago, my grade would have been an F. No question.  And while the Rockies are on pace to finish 58-104, there have been some positives over the last few weeks. The starting pitching, especially lefty Austin Gomber and right-hander Cal Quantrill, has been terrific in May.

The team is playing excellent defense. There are some bright spots on offense, namely third baseman Ryan McMahon (.288/.370/.490 slash line, 10 home runs, 32 RBIs), shortstop Ezequiel Tovar (.283/.316/.461, seven homers, 23 RBIs), catchers Elias Diaz (.304/.349/.437, four homers, 23 RBIs) and Jacob Stallings (.323/.408/.508, three homers, 13 RBIs), and center fielder Brenton Doyle (.269/.316/.461, seven homers, 23 RBIs).

As I predicted, the bullpen has been a disaster, costing the Rockies a bunch of games, many times in heartbreaking, crazy fashion.

The Rockies’ offense, especially veterans Kris Bryant and Charlie Blackmon, must be more consistently productive to enhance the team’s grade.

For now, I’ll give the Rockies a D.

When are the Rockies going to fire Bud Black? How can a former pretty decent pitcher be so bad at managing a bullpen? PLEASE. A Magic 8 Ball could choose which pitchers to bring in and be better than Black. What else do you need a manager for anyway? I guess somebody has to explain all the blown leads to you, the media.

— Edward Benjamin Jr., Denver

Edward, I knew this question was coming from somebody. So thanks. I think.

First of all, Black is not going to be fired. Will he decide not to return as manager next year? That’s possible. It’s also possible the Rockies won’t extend his contract.

Black is not perfect. No manager is. There have been times when Black has pulled a starter too soon and handed a close game over to the bullpen — with bad results.

I also think fans would appreciate more candor from Black when we — the damn media — ask him questions after the bullpen blows a game. But Black’s not wired that way. He’s always going to protect his guys.

Regarding the bullpen, let me toss a question back at you. Who would you suggest he use in the late innings? I’m all ears. If there is a savior in the relief corps, I’d love to know who it is.

Black has tried Justin Lawrence, Jalen Beeks, Tyler Kinley and Jake Bird in late-inning roles. They have all melted down more than once.

Are the Rockies good enough at developing hitters at the major league level? The last contention window was opened by players who significantly outperformed their minor league numbers (Charlie Blackmon, DJ LeMahieu, Trevor Story and Nolan Arenado), but our current batch of young hitters is a mixed bag of those who have improved (Ryan McMahon, Brenton Doyle and Ezequiel Tovar to a degree), those yet to reach their potential (Brendan Rodgers and Elehuris Montero) and those yet to find traction in the majors (Michael Toglia, Jordan Beck and Hunter Goodman) — to say nothing of the severely sophomore slumping Nolan Jones.

— Isaac, Fort Collins

Isaac, that’s a fair critique. In recent years, the Rockies have not done a very good job of developing their hitters. I’m a bit mystified as to why.

From everything I’ve been told, Hensley “Bam Bam” Meulens is a smart, respected big-league hitting coach. The Rockies also have some astute hitting instructors throughout the organization.

It could be that the organization has picked the wrong players in the draft. Toglia, a first-round pick, is still toiling at Triple-A because he hasn’t been able to make the grade in the majors. Rodgers is hitting for a decent average, but he’s never become the impactful hitter the Rockies expected him to become. Those are two first-round picks that have been disappointments.

It’s a little early, but who do you think will be our All-Star Game representative this year? I see four possibilities: Ryan McMahon, Elias Diaz, Austin Gomber and Cal Quantrill.

— Miles, Commerce City

Mile, isn’t it crazy that we’re discussing so many potential All-Stars for a team with a .358 winning percentage? You picked four strong candidates, but I’d add a fifth: shortstop Ezequiel Tovar.

Realistically, the Rockies will only land two players on the National League team. This is how I’d rank them: McMahon, Gomber, Diaz, Tovar and Quantrill

But as you said, it’s still early.

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In your (recent) Sunday article, where you interviewed general manager Bill Schmidt, he used the word “execution” multiple times. Why can’t the Rockies try to execute as follows in a tight ballgame: The leadoff hitter gets a bunt single, he steals second, he advances to third on a fielder’s choice and comes home on a sacrifice fly?

— Judy, Denver

Judy, forgive me, but your question prompts a legendary sports quote. When John McKay was coaching the terrible Tampa Bay Bucs, a reporter asked McKay, “What do you think of your team’s execution coach?” To which McKay replied, “I’m in favor of it.”

The problem with your scenario is that the Rockies simply aren’t built to play that way. Few of their players are reliable bunters (that’s true of most big-league players). And although the Rockies have a little more team speed than they used to, beyond Brenton Doyle and Nolan Jones, they lack true base stealers.

Bunting, as you probably know, is a dying art, in part because trying to bunt on a 99 mph fastball is very difficult.

But your main point is accurate. The Rockies — who lack home run power — need to be better playing “chain-reaction” baseball. When Schmidt said, “At some point, you have to focus on somebody else and not necessarily yourself,” I think that’s part of what he was getting at.

When will fans and media learn that “on-pace” talk is meaningless early in a baseball season? Baseball performance is cyclical, not linear.

— Dom, Longmont

Dom, I’m guilty as charged. I am among those who have projected the Rockies’ record based on their current winning percentage. With their current .317 winning percentage, they are on pace to finish 51-115. To paraphrase some former pop singer, “Oops, I did it again.”

I’m not sure such speculation is “meaningless.” Baseball has always been about trends and numbers. Early in the season, “on-pace” is a tool to describe how well or poorly a team or player is performing. It’s a long season, full of ebbs and flows. Are early season projections often off-base? Yep, but it doesn’t bug me too much.

Hi Patrick, this is probably a repetitive question, but who, if anyone, is on the hot seat right now? Or are (owner) Dick Monfort and his merry band of inept brothers fully confident in the 2028 season and think this is just a rough patch? How’s the season treating you so far? Since you have to go to games, what do you do to make it enjoyable aside from filling in on Nuggets and other team coverage when asked? Thanks, as always, for your reporting. Hang in there.

— Joe, Denver

Joe, as I write this, the Rockies have pulled out of their tailspin and won five games in a row. They’re still on track to lose 100 games, but as far as I know, no one’s job is in jeopardy, at least not right now. At the end of the season, things could change.

Here’s the thing: Although the Rockies brass hasn’t said it publicly, the team is in a reconstruction phase and is willing to endure an up-and-down season and a bad record. And the truth is, if the Rockies came out and said, “We are in a rebuild and there are going to be some tough times,” fans would be angry about that, too.

As for your other question, I try to remind myself that sitting in the press box at a major league ballpark and writing about baseball is a great job. Because it is. However, covering a losing team is difficult because the clubhouse is often deserted, and players don’t like talking to the media when the team is losing. Also, finding things to write about when a team is bad is tough. Readership plummets, too. That’s why covering the Nuggets or high school sports on occasion is a breath of fresh air.

There isn’t another team in baseball that wouldn’t have fired Bud Black long ago. Unfortunately, since ownership doesn’t care about winning, it also doesn’t care who the manager is. What a difference there is between Black and Michael Malone or Sean Payton. If nothing else, the Rockies need a new voice at the helm — one that will get the players, media and fans excited. Until that happens, all concerned will continue to accept losing that is also complacent and boring. My question: Who would be a good candidate and actually accept the job? As one idea, the Rockies might be the perfect fit for a young, successful minor league manager who is blocked from advancement. What does the team have to lose? It literally can’t get much worse.

— Greg, Broomfield

Greg, let me answer your question with a question. Do you really think another manager could take the talent Black has to work with and produce a winning team? I don’t think so.

Handing the reins over to a young, inexperienced manager is not necessarily the answer. Having said that, if Black does not return next season (his contract ends after this season), I could see the Rockies promoting third base/infield coach Warren Schaeffer as their next manager. He has the players’ respect and is a dynamic, hard-working baseball guy.

Do you think MLB would ever consider the format of relegating teams like they do in the Premier League in soccer? In a system of promotion and relegation, the best-ranked team(s) in a lower division are promoted to a higher division for the next season, and the worst-ranked team(s) in the higher division are relegated to the lower division for the next season. It might give teams/fans like the Rockies something more to cheer about, and the term “Hope springs eternal” might mean something.

— Tired of Hoping, Centennial

Dear “Tired,” I don’t see that ever happening. Major League Baseball has undergone major changes recently, but your suggestion is too radical. The expanded playoffs give decent teams a chance to get hot and win it all. The Diamondbacks are a perfect example. They won only 84 games last season and had to squeak into the playoffs but then advanced to the World Series.

For the Rockies, the answer could be playing in a new division in the future. When MLB expands to 32 teams in a few years, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Rockies in a new division and out of the shadow of the Dodgers, the perennial kings of the NL West.

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At what point does Bud Black’s job security come into question? I know he doesn’t have the most talented roster to work with. Still, it seems like they also keep shooting themselves in the foot with coaching mistakes like baserunning errors and mismanaged lineups (Kris Bryant is batting third or fourth, and Ezequiel Tovar is starting the year batting seventh). I know Bud is well-liked in the organization, and he’s fairly cheap, but at some point, isn’t there a need for fresh ideas in the dugout?

— Greg, Denver

Greg, I honestly don’t know what Black’s future is with the team.

During spring training, Black and owner Dick Monfort had preliminary discussions about a contract extension that would keep Black with the team through 2025. I recently asked Black about the status of that extension, and he told me that he couldn’t discuss “confidential negotiations.”

Could it be that the Rockies’ terrible start has put Black’s extension on hold? Possibly.

Could Black be rethinking his future with the team? Possibly, but he still seems committed to helping build the Rockies’ future.

But I don’t think the Rockies will fire Black this season. Why? Because he’s done the best he could with a team bereft of major league talent. He’s repeatedly shuffled the lineup and mixed and matched his relief pitchers. I don’t think firing Black and bringing in another manager will turn things around.

The bottom line is that making Black the scapegoat for the Rockies’ failures is not the solution.

In your honest opinion, do the Rockies stand a chance of getting out of this early season funk, or is the season already kaput? What needs to change?

— Ed Helinski, Auburn, N.Y.

Ed, it depends on how you define kaput. If you mean they’ll finish in last place in the National League West and post a sixth-consecutive losing record, then their season is kaput.

But here’s the thing. We all knew this would be a rough season — the Rockies’ brass knew it, too — but I didn’t think the Rockies would be this bad. Between Kris Bryant’s back injury and slumps by Charlie Blackmon and Nolan Jones, the Rockies’ offense is awful. Its 23 home runs are the third-fewest in the majors, and its .684 OPS ranks 21st, despite playing its home games at Coors Field. The Rockies’ 277 strikeouts are the sixth-most, while their 77 walks are the third-fewest.

Colorado pitchers have posted a 6.06 ERA, the worst in the majors by more than a run (the White Sox have a 5.02 team ERA).

Having pontificated about all of that, the Rockies’ goal this season was to test their young players, evaluate their futures, and start building for the future. It will take more than 28 games to determine whether the team is progressing. We’ll see several young players get their chance in the coming months, starting with outfielder Jordan Beck, who will debut in Miami this week.

The Rockies are on pace for 126 losses this year. They can’t be this bad all year, right? This is futility on a historic level.

— Madden, Denver

Madden, I’m not sure when you submitted your question, but as I write this, the Rockies are 7-21, a .250 winning percentage that puts them on pace to finish 41-121. There is no way the Rockies are going to lose 121 games. They’re bad, but for the love of Choo Choo Coleman, they’re not 1962 New York Mets bad.

I predicted the Rockies would finish 65-97, a small step forward from their 103-loss 2023 season. I didn’t think they could lose 100 games again, but now they certainly look to be headed in that direction. In the long run, it might not matter as long as the Rockies are truly committed to a rebuild.

Shouldn’t Kris Bryant admit his back severely limits his baseball future and do the honorable thing by retiring? I’m unsure how the financials work, but perhaps this frees up money for investing in others. No more free-agent position players. Grow our own or trade. All resources go to pitchers who adjust to pitching at altitude. Probably our own, as no free agent wants to come to Colorado. But those who have success should be well-rewarded.

— Ron Secrist, Longmont

Ron, Bryant’s seven-year, $182 million contract before the 2022 season is guaranteed. I can’t imagine he would walk away from that kind of money.

I don’t know how severe his back injury is. The Rockies have been tight-lipped about it, and Bryant rarely makes himself available to the media.

He’s been on the injured list since April 14. Bryant hit just .149 with one homer through 13 games this year, and his back could have been a factor in that slow start, even though the Rockies insisted he was healthy.

While looking ahead at the Rockies’ May schedule, what are your thoughts about the team catching a break and enjoying more success than in April?

— Ed Helinski, Auburn, N.Y.

Ed, I don’t see a huge difference between Colorado’s April and May opponents. I suppose they could win a couple of games in Miami against the woeful Marlins and perhaps a game at Pittsburgh. But the Rockies play 15 of their 27 games on the road in May, so I don’t think they have an easier path. They have to play better.

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