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Sam Dykstra recently published an article on MLB’s website about the top 10 shortstop prospects for 2026.
And Ethan Holliday already made the list! He’s sitting at the #10 spot for shortstops.
Pretty impressive! Especially since he’s only 18 years old, was drafted by the Rockies in July of last year, and has played in just 18 Minor League games.
The article also goes on to point out that Ethan Holliday has a lot to prove because he swung and missed at 41% of his swings during his brief time in the minor leagues.
Hopefully, that’s just because it’s his first time facing pro pitching. So we’ll have to wait for this upcoming season to see how he comes out swinging.
But, it’s exciting to see a Rockies’ prospect show up on a top 10 list – especially for an important position like shortstop.
Now, let’s jump into the Rockies news from this past week.
Rockies Trade Bradley Blalock to the Marlins For Jake Brooks
Last season, Bradley Blalock bounced around between the MLB and AAA.
He was called up from AAA three times and sent down to AAA three times.
And last week, he was designated for assignment to make room for the Rockies’ newly signed pitcher, Michael Lorenzen.
This meant Bradley Blalock was removed from the Rockies’ 40-man roster, and there was a 7-day window where the Rockies could trade him, send him to the minors, or he could become a free agent.
Turns out, the Miami Marlins wanted to make a deal.
On Tuesday, the Miami Marlins traded the Rockies Jake Brooks (starting pitcher) for Bradley Blalock (starting pitcher).
Jake Brooks has only reached AA so far in his professional baseball career, so he’s still working his way through the minor league system.
Chances are, we won’t see Jake Brooks in a Rockies uniform right away. But if he does well in the minors, we could see him later on in 2026 or sometime in 2027.
Rockies Finalize Willi Castro Deal
Last week, we knew Willi Castro was signing a two-year deal with the Rockies, but the details of the deal weren’t quite finalized.
Yesterday, Willi Castro signed a two-year, $12.8 million deal with the Rockies.
This is exciting news!
Willi Castro is a solid utility player and I’m looking forward to seeing him in a Rockies uniform this season.
Since the Rockies have Ezequiel Tovar locked in at shortstop, chances are we’ll see Willi Castro playing some third base, second base, and outfield.
Chad MacDonald Hired as the Rockies’ Special Assistant/Player Personnel
At the beginning of the offseason, the Rockies claimed they were looking to make front office hires from outside the organization, and it appears they are still doing just that.
Chad MacDonald was hired by the Rockies as “Special Assistant, Player Personnel”.
There wasn’t much info on what exactly that role will do for the Rockies, but Chad MacDonald has a history of picking some good players from the MLB Draft and we can expect to see him involved in next year’s draft.
In previous roles, Chad MacDonald has run draft rooms that led to the drafting of these seven players:
- Brandon Nimmo
- Michael Fulmer
- Seth Lugo
- Max Fried
- Zach Eflin
- Hunter Renfroe
- Trea Turner
Trea Turner is probably the most famous player from that list.
Hopefully, Chad MacDonald’s experience with drafting can help the Rockies build up their farm system!
Upcoming Events
Rockies Fest on 1/24
Rockies Fest is almost here!
I checked their website and they finally posted this PDF of all the events that will take place.
Although Bradley Blalock is still listed as attending and I’d be willing to bet he’s not going after being traded to the Marlins.
Rockies Fest tickets are $10 for the general public and $5 for season ticket & mini-plan holders. Autograph tickets are an additional $5.
Check out their Rockies Fest page on MLB if you’re interested in attending.
Rockies & Nuggets Crossover on 1/27
The Nuggets are hosting a game at Ball Arena on Tuesday, the 27th.
And if fans can get a custom Nuggets/Rockies jersey if they attend.
If anyone wanted to attend and get that jersey, I was only able to find that special ticket package through this link – https://nuggets.spinzo.com/denver-nuggets-vs-detroit-pistons-2026-01-27-WSAXF?group=co-rockies-crossover-night-t8zm&affiliate=co-rockies-co-rockies-924j
Rockies Single Game Tickets Are Now On Sale
The Rockies announced that single-game tickets are on sale!
If anyone wants to check out ticket prices, here’s a link to StubHub that shows all the Rockies games this season – including Spring Training games.
Baseball is almost here!
Prospect Spotlight: Roldy Brito (Rockies #16 Prospect)
Each week in the off-season, we’ll cover a top prospect from the Rockies, so you’ll know who to watch as they make their way to the big leagues.
Current Team: Fresno Grizzlies (Single-A Affiliate Team)
Signed: 2024
Age: 18
Position: Second Base
Bats: Switch-hitter
Throws: Right-handed
Estimated MLB Debut: 2028
Roldy Brito was signed by the Rockies in January of 2024 during the International Signing Period, where he received a signing bonus of $420,000.
He had a pretty solid year playing in the Dominican Summer League in 2024, but he really broke out in 2025.
Last season, he played 51 games in the Rockies’ Arizona Complex League, where he hit .368.
He was then sent up to the Rockies’ single-A team, the Fresno Grizzlies, where he hit .375 in 33 games.
So he had a total batting average of .371 in 2025. Pretty good season!
He only had 4 home runs in 2025, but he’s getting on base quite a bit. Which is exactly what you want to see from a leadoff hitter.
Here’s a 30-second video of Roldy Brito getting a career-high 5 hits in one game. In this game, he got 4 base hits batting left-handed and one base hit batting right-handed.
Roldy Brito is primarily a second baseman, but he also has experience playing center field and shortstop.
Overall, Roldy Brito has shown he can play the game. He’s still working his way through the Minor Leagues, and he’s not expected to make his Major League debut until sometime in 2028.
But hopefully, we keep hearing positive things from this young Rockies’ prospect!
That wraps up this week’s newsletter. Hope everyone has a great week!
-Steve
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