‘You can’t be mailing it in right now’: How the Rockies are handling the worst start in MLB history
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Jesse Rogers
With seemingly every loss this season, the Colorado Rockies make headlines for a new level of futility: They have already set the modern mark for fewest wins (eight) in the first 50 games of a season and lost a record 22 consecutive series before sweeping the Miami Marlins this week.
But unlike most teams marching toward baseball infamy, Colorado’s roster isn’t made up of rookies and journeymen. Instead, it consists of some of the key players from the franchise’s last glory days.
They remember the good times. When Coors Field was packed, players were flying around the bases and the Rockies had just enough pitching to catapult them into the postseason.
It might seem like forever ago as Colorado barrels toward its third straight 100-loss season, but current pitchers German Marquez, Antonio Senzatela, Kyle Freeland and infielder Ryan McMahon were all part of the organization’s last playoff teams, in 2017 and 2018. Colorado won a combined 178 games over those two seasons.
Few could have imagined what would come seven years later: The Rockies are on pace to shatter the modern record for losses, set last year by the Chicago White Sox. They’re on pace to lose 130 games, which would be nine more than Chicago.
“You ask me back in 2017 or 2018, I would have said there is no chance that is happening,” Freeland told ESPN recently. “You realize how special those seasons are.”
Despite their record, the vibe in their clubhouse doesn’t feel all that different than any other team’s midway through the grind of a 162-game season. According to Rockies players, there is too much baseball left to give in to the negativity that surrounds all the losing. They also point to their increased competitiveness since making a managerial change early last month.
“The start of the year was tough, if we’re being honest about it,” injured reliever Austin Gomber said. “We weren’t very competitive. Since [interim manager Warren Schaeffer] has taken over we’re pretty much in every game. But it’s not going our way. It’s easier to keep the attitude positive. I know we’re competing every night. At the beginning of the year, that wasn’t the case.”
Freeland added: “You can’t be mailing it in right now or closing up shop. We have a lot of learning to do as a team, with a lot of young guys doing that learning. Us veterans have to keep the attitude of the team in the right spot.”
The Rockies’ struggles come down to this: They have given up the most runs per game while scoring the least. That latter is stunning, considering the hitting advantage they’ve enjoyed over the years playing at the big leagues’ highest elevation in Denver. Going into this season, the lowest the team ranked in scoring since Coors Field opened 30 years ago was 22nd, achieved last season.
The lack of production on either side of the ball has led to blowouts (they’ve lost 16 games by at least five runs) and heartbreaking losses (they’re just 6-11 in one-run games). “Some stick with you,” McMahon said. “We have guys that care and when you care, you carry it longer. But if you keep holding on to the night before, it’s not going to help today and it’s going to be a long season. You have to flush it.”
“You have to flush it” might become the team’s slogan as the organization is attempting to turn the page on its horrendous start, pointing to some improvements since the 40 year-old Schaeffer took over for 67-year-old Bud Black. After Black’s eight years and about six weeks at the helm in Colorado, the Rockies decided a change was needed.
“Buddy Black is a real good baseball guy,” general manager Bill Schmidt said. “It was probably time for a different voice.”
Schmidt was asked what gives him hope during such a wretched time for the franchise.
“We’ve been way more competitive lately,” he said. “We’re going to turn it around. I’m embarrassed by what’s transpired.”
After their numbers were boosted by the sweep of the Marlins, the team can point to a per-game run differential of minus 2.41 since Schaeffer took over, compared to minus 3.2 under Black — though their winning percentages are similar (.175 under Black to .227 since the change).
Black turned down an interview request for this story.
Like the White Sox last year, the Rockies aren’t focusing on the record for losses as they believe it’ll be a self-fulfilling prophecy if they do.
“If not being the worst team in baseball is our main focus, then we’re going to be the worst team in baseball,” Freeland said. “Our focus is ‘Let’s get better every day.’ That’s the lens. We have a new manager, new coaches, a lot of moving parts. But let’s focus on ourselves.”
Schaeffer, a career minor leaguer as a player, is learning on the job but has brought new energy to the dugout. He says he wants what every other manager desires from his players: accountability and the ability to master the fundamentals. Does he see improvement?
“I do,” he stated. “For sure. I feel like the competitive nature is there. Little by little we’re learning how to be in games and win. Not there yet. We have to execute late in games. That’s the next step.”
The past several weeks illustrate how both close and far the Rockies are from being respectable. Inability to execute — especially late in games — led to eight losses by two runs or fewer in a span of 12 games. It’s the kind of thing that will keep them on their record pace. That is, along with the blowouts, which still happen about once a week.
“We have like 100 games left,” Gomber said. “We can throw that record off by just a good two-week stretch. I’m confident that we’ll turn it around from that standpoint because just watching, I’ve seen us much more competitive every night. It’s going to turn.”
There’s some concern about the team’s young players learning in such a losing environment. They point to those veterans — particularly the players who were in Colorado during better times — as the reason the team is sticking together.
“We treat every day as a new day,” 26-year-old utilityman Tyler Freeman said. “It’s tough to look at the record right now. But everyone is working hard. We come in looking to win. The results haven’t shown, but we have to stay patient.
“If we take a look at the beginning of the year to now, it’s way different. I think we’ve turned a corner.”
Residing in the toughest division in baseball will only make it harder to avoid losing 120 games this season. Colorado is just 3-13 against the National League West with 36 games remaining against those opponents.
Amazingly, the Rockies are still drawing more than 26,000 fans per game — a testament to their loyalty and the fan experience at Coors Field. But what will the stands look like come September as the team winds down a potentially record-breaking season? One thing the clubhouse is unified on is how much the team has let those fans down. The Rockies have traveled a long way — in the wrong direction — since those back-to-back postseason appearances last decade.
“A lot of things have happened since then,” Senzatela said as he shook his head. “We have to stick together. Hopefully we’ll get back there.”
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Jordan Reid
After only two first-round picks at quarterback in the 2025 NFL draft, the 2026 NFL draft is expected to have a lot more exciting options. Several already stand out — Cade Klubnik (Clemson), LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina), Drew Allar (Penn State) and Garrett Nussmeier (LSU) jump to mind — and that doesn’t even include ballyhooed Texas sophomore Arch Manning, who has started just two college games.
While Manning might stay in college until 2027, I’m going to group him in with the top 22 draft-eligible passers below. I’ll also answer a couple of questions about NFL teams that might be taking a long look at these signal-callers. Players in each section are listed in alphabetical order.
Jump to a section:
Top names | Best of rest | Questions
Top names to know
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 238
Class: Senior
Where he excels Allar experienced a leap in his development in 2024, increasing his completion percentage from 59.9% in 2023 to 66.5%. The big, prototypical pocket passer excelled under first-year offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, throwing for 3,327 yards and 24 touchdowns with eight interceptions. His upper-tier arm strength gives him the confidence to test challenging throwing windows in intermediate areas. He also has enough mobility for his size to escape defenders in the pocket.
Where he needs work: While Allar’s completion percentage made a major leap, his ball placement was still inconsistent. He too often puts the ball on the wrong shoulder and his throws can be too high or too low on what should be easy completions. His performance against top-ranked teams has also been woefully inconsistent. Scouts will be watching him closely against Oregon (Sept. 27) and Ohio State (Nov. 1). Penn State is the top-ranked team in ESPN’s post-spring Way-Too-Early Top 25, but it will need Allar to play better in showcase games to live up to that billing.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 220
Class: Sixth-year senior
Where he excels: Beck was regarded as a candidate to be the No. 1 overall pick in 2025 but had a disappointing final season at Georgia, throwing for 3,485 yards and 28 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. He now has a chance to revive his stock at Miami, which just produced the No. 1 pick in April’s draft in Cameron Ward. Beck is a rhythmic passer who plays well when he gets into an early groove. He gets the ball out in a hurry and is a true distributor who can spread the ball around the field.
Where he needs work: Beck experiences rough stretches with accuracy, especially when he isn’t sharp early. Last year’s Alabama game perfectly encapsulated Beck’s inconsistency, as he threw two interceptions while completing 47% of his first-half passes. Then, he turned it around with 339 passing yards and three touchdowns in the second half to lead a near-comeback. He was a roller coaster in 2024, but there’s a reason many evaluators had him as the QB1 entering last season. Miami’s offense has Air Raid principles, which should accent his gifts as a passer.
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Carson Beck’s best plays of the season for Georgia
Take a look at Carson Beck’s best plays of 2024 for Georgia after announcing his intention to enter the transfer portal.
Height: 6-foot-2 | Weight: 210 pounds
Class: Senior
Where he excels: Klubnik entered 2024 with question marks after a rough sophomore season but emerged as a star, finishing with 3,639 passing yards and 36 touchdown passes to only six interceptions. He’s able to repeat his mechanics and keep his eyes, feet and throwing motion in sync while going through his progressions. Klubnik saved his best game of the season for the first round of the College Football Playoff, throwing for 336 yards and three touchdowns against Texas. He should be set up for success in 2025, as Clemson returns its top three receivers. That’s a big reason why he was the No. 1 pick in my Way Too Early 2026 mock draft.
Where he needs work: Scouts around the league I’ve talked to have raised concerns about Klubnik’s arm strength and whether he can build on his 2024 success. Questions about his arm surface when he’s forced to test tight windows in underneath coverage and with his inconsistent trajectory on deep passes. Klubnik averaged only 8.56 air yards per passing attempt in 2024, ranking 58th in the FBS. He must be more assertive and willing to challenge coverage in intermediate and deep areas.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 210
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Where he excels: Leavitt was a revelation last season after transferring from Michigan State, passing for 2,885 yards, 24 touchdowns and 6 interceptions while leading the Sun Devils to a Big 12 championship and the College Football Playoff. He’s a calm and poised passer whose 80 QBR was the 10th-best rate in the FBS. Leavitt always seems to be in control and consistently makes the correct play from the pocket. He’s at his best in play-action, as he can turn his back to the defense and reset his eyes to make throws.
Where he needs work: Leavitt has only 13 career starts, so the sample size is relatively small. He tends to be too bouncy in the pocket and needs to be more consistent in taking options that are available to him early in progressions. He’ll also face a lot more pressure this season, with star running back Cam Skattebo off to the NFL and the Sun Devils not being a sleeper team anymore after their conference title win. Leavitt will be counted on as the catalyst of Arizona State’s offense.
Height: 6-4 | Weight: 222
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Where he excels: Manning has started just two college games, throwing for 583 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions in those starts. He has a well-put-together frame, allowing him to avoid defenders in the pocket and bounce off tacklers in open space as a runner. Manning has a picture-perfect base and smooth delivery as a passer. He doesn’t have much experience in that department, as Texas used him primarily as a runner in 2024, but his prototypical build and physical tools were apparent on tape and give him immense potential. He will be under the tutelage of one of the country’s best QB developers in Steve Sarkisian, but Manning’s lack of experience makes him more likely to be in the 2027 draft class at the earliest.
Where he needs work: Manning has only 95 career passing attempts, so his sample size is small and more development is necessary. He had a habit of sticking to his primary read too long in his starts, leading to poor decision-making. He will need to improve his timing in getting through progressions and knowing when to move off his first read. He could also use his mobility much more on non-designed QB runs to help string together positive plays. He’ll be tested on these things early, as the Longhorns start the season at defending national champion Ohio State.
Height: 6-1 | Weight: 224
Class: Redshirt junior
Where he excels: Mateer joins the Sooners after three seasons at Washington State. He broke out in 2024, finishing with 3,139 passing yards and 29 touchdowns to only seven interceptions. He’s an aggressive playmaker who has all sorts of funky releases, allowing him to reposition his body and still get the ball out effectively. He has easy arm strength and isn’t hesitant to make far-hash throws. Mateer is a fierce competitor and an extremely effective runner on scrambles and designed QB runs, rushing for 826 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. He represents a clear upgrade for an Oklahoma offense that struggled mightily in 2024.
Where he needs work: Thanks to Washington State’s schedule, Mateer was able to get away with bad habits in the pocket that won’t fly in the SEC. He tends to be a tick slow on reads, relying on his arm power to alleviate tardiness in his progressions. The arm overconfidence also leads to him passing up easier shallow reads for more challenging deeper throws. He’ll be tested against a schedule featuring eight SEC schools and a Week 2 nonconference game against Michigan. If he passes with flying colors, Mateer could climb draft boards quickly.
Height: 6-5 | Weight: 225
Class: Redshirt junior
Where he excels: Mendoza arrives at Indiana after being the hub of Cal’s offense in 2024, throwing for 3,004 passing yards and 16 touchdowns with six interceptions. He has a snappy release that helps the ball come out of his hand with plenty of life. Mendoza is a precise passer who puts the ball in the proper place for his receivers, as evidenced by his FBS-best 5.1% off-target percentage last season. He is effective throwing from inside or outside the framework of the offense, ranking ninth in the FBS with a 91.1 QBR on throws outside of the pocket. He also excels at identifying and attacking advantageous one-on-one coverage situations.
Where he needs work: Mendoza’s escapability and effectiveness throwing from outside the pocket can lead to him being impatient and breaking the pocket prematurely. He needs to have more patience in letting concepts unfold, especially now that he will face upgraded defenses in the Big Ten. But Indiana’s offense is eerily similar to what he operated at Cal, giving Mendoza a chance to be a breakout candidate in 2025.
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 200
Class: Fifth-year senior
Where he excels: Nussmeier was up and down in his first season as a starter after replacing Jayden Daniels, throwing for 4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The son of Saints offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier, Garrett has a firm grasp of defensive structures and coverages. He has the most jaw-dropping highlight tape of any QB in the class, as he routinely delivers the ball to where his targets are supposed to be. He also has a flexible arm, which allows him to alter his arm slots while maintaining accuracy.
Where he needs work: Nussmeier’s confidence and daredevil mentality can sometimes backfire. Though he doesn’t get sacked often (his 2.9% sack percentage was the 12th lowest in the FBS), he can be careless with the ball, especially against better defenses. He had three games of two or more interceptions against ranked teams in 2024. A lot of these mistakes happen when he is flushed from the pocket, where his decision-making must improve.
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Garrett Nussmeier launches a 41-yard dime to Chris Hilton Jr. for an LSU TD
Chris Hilton Jr. catches a 41-yard throw from Garrett Nussmeier to pad the Tigers’ lead.
Height: 6-3 | Weight: 242
Class: Redshirt sophomore
Where he excels: Sellers is a toolsy, explosive dual-threat passer who completed 65.6% of his passes for 2,534 yards and 18 touchdowns. On the ground, he rushed for 674 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He can easily throw to every level of the field and his compact, strong frame makes him a game changer on designed QB runs. Sellers’ unique strength and vision in the pocket allows him to make plays in unfavorable situations. Many of his top highlights last season were the result of him avoiding and shaking off tacklers. His raw ability, tools, youth (he’s 20 years old) and projected ascension are selling points teams are willing to bet on early in the draft.
Where he needs work: The offense Sellers ran last season was a simplistic mixture of mesh concepts, pre-snap reads and an occasional go route. He threw 27.4% of his passes at or behind the line of scrimmage, which ranked 92nd in the FBS. Along with increasing his understanding and advancement of concepts, Sellers needs to take better care of the ball. He had 11 fumbles (six lost) last season. He also needs to make decisions quicker — his 3.06-second average time to throw was the 11th-slowest in the country.
Best of the rest
Rocco Becht, Iowa State
Becht was steady as a third-year sophomore in 2024, throwing for 3,505 yards and 25 touchdowns with nine interceptions. The son of former NFL tight end Anthony Becht has a sudden over-the-top release that fits perfectly in a Cyclones offense that primarily operates in 10 and 11 personnel sets. The 6-1, 210-pound Becht doesn’t have the physical tools of other passers in the class, but he is consistent in keeping his eyes down the field and can make tough throws with pressure in his face.
Aidan Chiles, Michigan State
Chiles transferred to Michigan State from Oregon State prior to the 2024 season. He passed for 2,415 yards, 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions with the Spartans and has an explosive throwing release, leading to exciting flash plays when protected. But protection was a problem for the 6-3, 217-pound Chiles, who was pressured on 42.3% of his dropbacks (eighth highest in FBS). That led to a lot of turnover-worthy plays, especially early last season.
Taylen Green, Arkansas
Green enters his second season with the Razorbacks after spending his first three years at Boise State. He’s a big, dynamic dual-threat passer at 6-6, 230 pounds who had 602 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground last season. He threw for 3,154 yards with 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Green’s throwing motion is a bit elongated, and he needs to work on his consistency in rhythm from the pocket.
Mark Gronowski, Iowa
Gronowski had a historic career at South Dakota State, leading the Jackrabbits to two national championships and tying for the most-ever wins (49) for an FCS starting quarterback. He flirted with entering the 2025 NFL draft and even got an invite to the combine but decided to go to Iowa, whose offense showed improvement in 2024. The 6-3, 230-pounder is a densely built passer who can also make plays with his legs.
Eli Holstein, Pittsburgh
Holstein thrived as Pitt’s starter last season after transferring from Alabama, throwing for 2,225 yards and 17 touchdowns with seven interceptions. The 6-4, 225-pound Holstein is a strong-armed passer who can push the ball down the field with ease. He needs to play with more control and improve his ball placement, as his 14.7% off-target percentage ranked 100th in the FBS.
Josh Hoover, TCU
Hoover broke out as a redshirt freshman in 2024 with 3,949 passing yards and 27 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. The 6-2, 200-pounder possesses a compact release that allows him to get the ball out in a hurry. His 25 completions on passes of 20-plus air yards were the 12th most in the FBS last season.
Nico Iamaleava, UCLA
Iamaleava’s offseason was eventful and ended up with him leaving Tennessee to play for the Bruins. He finished his first season as a starter with 2,616 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. The 6-6, 215-pound Iamaleava is a slender, fluid passer with the arm talent to get the ball to his desired spots, but he struggled with his touch and accuracy on deeper passes. That will be worth watching this fall, as will his adjustment from the Vols’ unconventional passing offense to a more pro-style UCLA scheme.
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How Nico Iamaleava ended up at UCLA
Check out the timeline that led to Nico Iamaleava going from Tennessee to UCLA.
Kevin Jennings, SMU
Jennings was a breakout star in his first season as a starter, throwing for 3,245 yards and 23 touchdowns with 11 interceptions while adding 354 rushing yards and five ground touchdowns. The 6-0, 189-pounder is a blur that defenses struggled to contain thanks to his mobility and decision-making as a passer. His lack of size and quickness with the ball in his hands could make Jennings a candidate to play another position in the NFL.
Avery Johnson, Kansas State
With 2,712 passing yards and a school-record 25 touchdown passes, Johnson was the engine of Kansas State’s offense last season. The thinly built 6-2, 192-pounder also ran for 605 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s equally effective throwing and running, as he rushed for 50 or more yards in seven games last season. He needs to continue to develop as a passer, having thrown 10 interceptions last season, but Johnson is one of the most dangerous dual-threat QBs in the country.
Haynes King, Georgia Tech
King is entering his third season as Georgia Tech’s starter after playing his first three seasons at Texas A&M. His passing numbers fell from 2,842 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2023 to 2,114 and 14, respectively, in 2024. But the 6-3, 215-pound King took care of the ball last season (two interceptions) and was effective on designed runs, rushing for 587 yards and 11 touchdowns. He can be explosive on the ground, but King needs to unlock the next level of his passing development.
Darian Mensah, Duke
Mensah was a big transfer portal pickup for Duke, as he passed for 2,723 yards and 22 touchdowns with six interceptions for Tulane last season. The 6-3, 200-pounder throws from a balanced, strong base and has good ball placement, completing 65.9% of his passes. The third-year sophomore plays with lots of poise and control while showing strong mechanics and pocket presence. Scouts will be monitoring how well Mensah handles the step-up in competition from the AAC to the ACC.
Miller Moss, Louisville
Moss transferred to Louisville after spending four seasons at USC. He started nine games in 2024, finishing with 2,555 passing yards and 18 touchdowns to nine interceptions. The 6-1, 205-pounder has below average arm strength, so he relies heavily on anticipation in short and intermediate throws. He’s capable of buying time with his legs and creating out of structure. He steps into a good situation, as Louisville coach Jeff Brohm is one of the best QB developers in the country. Brohm helped Aidan O’Connell and Tyler Shough become NFL draft picks.
Sawyer Robertson, Baylor
Robertson ignited Baylor’s offense in 2024, finishing with the seventh-best QBR in the FBS (82.9). The 6-4, 220-pound Robertson is a decisive passer who understands how to attack different coverage looks. He was especially effective down the stretch, throwing for 17 touchdowns to only four interceptions during the Bears’ six-game win streak to end the regular season. Robertson will aim to build on that run in his second year as a full-time starter.
Other QBs to watch: Ty Simpson (Alabama), Conner Weigman (Houston), Maalik Murphy (Oregon State), Tommy Castellanos (Florida State), Noah Fifita (Arizona), Byrum Brown (USF), Kyron Drones (Virginia Tech), Dante Moore (Oregon), Kaidon Salter (Colorado), Brendan Sorsby (Cincinnati), Jayden Maiava (USC), Luke Altmyer (Illinois), Jalon Daniels (Kansas), Joey Aguilar (Tennessee), Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt), Behren Morton (Texas Tech), Jake Retzlaff (BYU)
Big QB questions for NFL teams
At this point, which team most needs to draft a QB to build around?
Pittsburgh Steelers. Drafting Will Howard in Round 6 this year hardly answered the Steelers’ long-term quarterback questions. The team is set to sign Aaron Rodgers, but he’ll be 42 years old in December. The Steelers currently have eight picks in 2026 (their seven selections plus Dallas’ third-rounder from the George Pickens trade) and could get up to four additional compensatory selections. Expect the Steelers to be aggressive next spring in their search for a franchise quarterback, especially since the 2026 draft will be in Pittsburgh.
Who is a sleeper team to watch at QB?
Los Angeles Rams. The Rams have two first-round picks in 2026 and could get aggressive with a trade up for Matthew Stafford‘s heir apparent. Stafford is entering his age-37 season on a reworked two-year contract, so the Rams have time to identify a signal-caller from what should be a strong 2026 crop. They could draft a passer next year and be afforded the luxury of having him learn behind Stafford for a full season.
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Chris Low
Kierston Russell, the twin sister of Alabama freshman quarterback Keelon Russell, died Wednesday, according to a statement from Tuscaloosa police officials.
Her death “at this time appears to be non-criminal in nature,” according to the police statement, which added that the family had given permission to confirm Kiersten Russell’s death to help quell media inquiries. Police said Thursday that no other information would be released at this time and asked that the privacy of the family be respected.
Keelon Russell reposted a message on his Instagram page with four emojis of a hand in a heart formation. The message read: “My deepest condolences are with you guys dearly. Losing a twin sister and daughter is a pain no one could ever imagine.”
Kierston and Keelon Russell went through high school graduation ceremonies together last month in Duncanville, Texas, and Kierston was scheduled to join her brother at Alabama in August.
Keelon enrolled at Alabama early and went through spring practice. He was a five-star prospect and ESPN’s No. 2 overall prospect.
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