Spring Training is for shaking off rust, not for exposing gaping holes. Yet, as the Rockies fumbled, the question hung heavy: Are they truly ready?

Baseball always has a unique, weird surprise for fans and players, and the recent Diamondbacks vs. Rockies Spring Training game was no exception. During their exhibition game on February 23, 2025, something happened that surely left both teams and fans shocked. The Rockies were cruising to an easy win, serving up a sizable lead—that is, until the fifth inning when the Diamondbacks’ designated hitter Ketel Marte hit a long fly ball to center field.

Looked like a routine fly ball, right? The next sequence of events was anything but routine.

The ball was caught, but the Rockies’ defense fell apart. One by one, the baserunners took off. The Rockies fumbled, and before anyone knew it, all three baserunners had scored. You read that right—three runs on a single sac fly? Would you believe it? MLB tweeted a video of the play with the caption, “Have you ever seen a team score 3 runs on a sac fly? You have now.” The footage has gone viral, fans can’t believe their eyes, and the Rockies’ defense has been dragged through the digital mud by fans as an embarrassment.

 

And this wasn’t an isolated incident either. It was quickly compared to an incident in a

Marlins versus Rockies game on August 28, 2024, where the Rockies committed a defensive gaff that led to multiple runs scoring on what should’ve been a routine play. Déjà vu, anyone? The comparisons flew, and all the internet’s jokes found their same target in the Rockies.

Beyond the blunders: Fans lose faith in current Rockies structure

Critically, one fan exclaimed, “Grade: F – poor effort.” The statement is not just indicative of on-the-field performance during Spring Training, but indicative of the plight and (perceived) effort of the Rockies. For the last handful of seasons, the Rockies have finished at the bottom of their division, poised for consecutive 100-loss seasons.

That disappointment drips from the above tweet mocking the team. “

Rockies are looking in mid-season form already. Impressive.” It points to another tired and true fact surrounding the Rockies’ history—its general inconsistency hitting the baseball over the years and the stark difference between home and away success. Since opening Coors Field in 1995, the Rockies ranked first in home versus road winning percentage in Major League Baseball.

Ruthlessly, one commenter added, “

Why did I know this would be a Rockies clip?” perpetuating the cycle of failure. Over the last four seasons, the Rockies have had at least 27 games below a .500 record when on the road. The Rockies’ inability to break this cycle is a glaring issue that continues to undermine their credibility as a competitive team.

Another frustrated fan statement, “

Why do you let/allow a minor league team on the major leagues?” The energy of fan criticisms captures the disappointment of the expecting competitive team, who have made flashy efforts in players like Kris Bryant, who has been an injury-plagued player since he signed a seven-year contract for $182 million in 2022 ($26 million/season). From 2022-2024, he has played 159 games with a .218 batting average. What The Rockies lack is fans demand accountability and planning.

Finally, mockingly, a fan summed it up with, “

The Rockies badly need a rebrand. Keep the purple, dump everything else. Especially those hideous black jerseys.”This feeling indicates that some fans believe the problems run deeper than a single game’s performance and are calling for an entire overhaul. And you can’t even argue. The Rockies should focus on building a roster with depth and versatility, like the Tampa Bay Rays, to leverage their home’s demands.

This Spring Training debacle wasn’t just a bad inning; it was a stark illustration of Colorado’s’ recurring defensive woes and the growing frustration of their fanbase. What do you think? Are these Spring Training errors a sign of deeper problems or just a temporary blip?