The 2023 Colorado Rockies season was their 31st in Major League Baseball and 29th season at Coors Field. Bud Black returned as Manager for his seventh year in 2023. The Rockies failed to improve on their 68–94 record from the previous season. They ended up finishing the season with the worst record in the National League at 59–103 (.364) due to a leaky defense despite scoring more runs than the playoff-bound Miami Marlins. On September 26, the Rockies hit the 100 loss mark for the first time in franchise history after a loss to the rival Los Angeles Dodgers. The Rockies drew an average home attendance of 32,196 in 81 home games in the 2023 MLB season, the 14th highest in the league.
Offseason Rule changes Pursuant to the CBA, new rule changes went into effect for the 2023 season:
institution of a pitch clock between pitches; limits on pickoff attempts per plate appearance; limits on defensive shifts requiring two infielders to be on either side of second and be within the boundary of the infield; and larger bases (increased to 18 square inches);
Coaching staff changes On October 13, 2022, the Rockies mutually parted ways with hitting coach Dave Magadan and reassigned third-base coach Stu Cole to a minor league position. Magadan had been the Rockies hitting coach since the 2019 season, and Cole had been the third-base coach since the 2013 season. On November 7, 2022, the Rockies announced they had hired the New York Yankees' assistant hitting coach Hensley Meulens as their hitting coach for the 2023 season, and had promoted the Albuquerque Isotopes' manager Warren Schaeffer to the position of third-base coach.
Roster departures On November 6, 2022, Alex Colomé, Carlos Estévez, José Iglesias, Chad Kuhl, and José Ureña declared free agency. On November 8, 2022, the Rockies declined their 2023 option on Scott Oberg. On November 9, 2022, Dom Núñez was claimed off of waivers by the San Francisco Giants, Ryan Vilade was claimed off of waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates, and Ty Blach, Helcris Olivarez, and Wynton Bernard were outrighted to Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes. The Rockies announced they had non–tendered utility player Garrett Hampson, immediately making him a free agent, on November 18, 2022.
Roster additions
On November 15, the Rockies selected the contracts of infielder Warming Bernabel, pitcher Blair Calvo, infielder Julio Carreras, outfielder Brenton Doyle, and pitcher Riley Pint.
Free agent signings Starting pitcher José Ureña re-signed with the Rockies to a one–year contract on November 11, 2022. Relief pitcher Brent Suter was claimed off of waivers by the Rockies from the Milwaukee Brewers on November 18, 2022. The Rockies signed relief pitcher Pierce Johnson to a one-year contract on December 13, 2022. Relief pitcher Nick Mears was claimed off of waivers from the Texas Rangers on January 6, 2023. On March 4, 2023, the Rockies signed relief pitcher Brad Hand to a one-year deal. On March 5, the Rockies signed infielder Mike Moustakas to a minor-league deal. Both signings were made after injuries to players already on the roster; relief pitcher Lucas Gilbreath and second baseman Brendan Rodgers. Following an injury to outfielder Sean Bouchard, the Rockies signed outfielder Jurickson Profar to a 1-year contract on March 21, 2023. On March 25, 2023, the Rockies selected the contracts of non-roster invitees pitcher Ty Blach, utilityman Harold Castro, and infielder Mike Moustakas.
Trades On November 6, 2022, the Rockies traded outfielder Sam Hilliard to the Atlanta Braves for minor league pitcher Dylan Spain. On November 15, 2022, the Rockies traded minor league infielder Juan Brito to the Cleveland Guardians for outfielder Nolan Jones. On December 6, 2022 the Rockies traded pitcher Chad Smith to the Oakland Athletics for minor league pitcher Jeff Criswell. On December 18, 2022, the Rockies traded outfielder Connor Joe to the Pittsburgh Pirates for minor league pitcher Nick Garcia. On January 17, 2023, the Rockies acquired Connor Seabold from the Boston Red Sox for cash considerations or a player to be named later.
Off-season 40-man roster moves Departing Player Date TransactionNew Team Arriving playerOld teamDateTransaction Sam Hilliard November 6, 2022 Trade Atlanta Braves José Ureña Colorado Rockies November 11, 2022 Signed Alex Colomé November 6, 2022 Free Agency Washington Nationals Warming Bernabel Spokane Indians November 15, 2022 Added to 40-man roster Carlos Estévez November 6, 2022 Free Agency Los Angeles Angels Blair Calvo Hartford Yard Goats November 15, 2022 Added to 40-man roster José Iglesias November 6, 2022 Free Agency Miami Marlins Julio Carreras Hartford Yard Goats November 15, 2022 Added to 40-man roster Chad Kuhl November 6, 2022 Free Agency Washington Nationals Brenton Doyle Albuquerque Isotopes November 15, 2022 Added to 40-man roster José Ureña November 6, 2022 Free Agency Colorado Rockies Riley Pint Albuquerque Isotopes November 15, 2022 Added to 40-man roster Scott Oberg November 8, 2022 Free Agency Retired Nolan Jones Cleveland Guardians November 15, 2022 Trade Dom Núñez November 9, 2022 Waivers San Francisco Giants Brent Suter Milwaukee Brewers November 18, 2022 Waivers Ryan Vilade November 9, 2022 Waivers Pittsburgh Pirates Pierce Johnson San Diego Padres December 13, 2022 Free Agency Ty Blach November 9, 2022 Outrighted Colorado Rockies Nick Mears Texas Rangers January 6, 2023 Waivers Helcris Olivarez November 9, 2022 Outrighted Albuquerque Isotopes Connor Seabold Boston Red Sox January 17, 2023 Trade Wynton Bernard November 9, 2022 Outrighted Toronto Blue Jays Brad Hand Philadelphia Phillies March 4, 2023 Free Agency Garrett Hampson November 18, 2022 Non-tendered Miami Marlins Jurickson Profar San Diego Padres March 21, 2023 Free Agency Chad Smith December 6, 2022 Trade Oakland Athletics Ty Blach Colorado Rockies March 25, 2023 Added to 40-man roster Connor Joe December 18, 2022 Trade Pittsburgh Pirates Harold Castro Detroit Tigers March 25, 2023 Added to 40-man roster Mike Moustakas Cincinnati Reds March 25, 2023 Added to 40-man roster
Spring Training On January 27, 2023, the Rockies announced 22 non-roster invitees for spring training, including top prospects outfielder Zac Veen and catcher Drew Romo. Spring Training non-roster inviteesPlayer Position2022 team(s)Fernando Abad Pitcher Saraperos de Saltillo / Tacoma RainiersLogan Allen Pitcher Cleveland Guardians / Baltimore Orioles / Norfolk Tides / Albuquerque IsotopesTy Blach Pitcher Colorado Rockies / Albuquerque IsotopesJeff Criswell Pitcher Lansing Lugnuts / Midland RockHounds / Las Vegas AviatorsStephen Jones Pitcher Hartford Yard GoatsKarl Kauffman Pitcher Hartford Yard Goats / Albuquerque IsotopesMatt Koch Pitcher Seattle Mariners / Tacoma RainiersJosh Rogers Pitcher Washington Nationals / Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp / Rochester Red Wings / Harrisburg Senators / FCL NationalsPhillips Valdéz Pitcher Boston Red Sox / Worcester Red Sox / Tacoma RainiersCase Williams Pitcher Fresno Grizzlies / Spokane Indians / Hartford Yard GoatsT. J. Zeuch Pitcher Cincinnati Reds / Louisville Bats / Memphis Redbirds / ACL RedsBraxton Fulford Catcher Fresno GrizzliesHunter Goodman Catcher Fresno Grizzlies / Spokane Indians / Hartford Yard GoatsWillie MacIver Catcher Hartford Yard Goats / Albuquerque IsotopesJonathan Morales Catcher Albuquerque IsotopesRonaiker Palma Catcher Spokane IndiansDrew Romo Catcher Spokane IndiansHarold Castro Infielder Detroit TigersGrant Lavigne Infielder Spokane Indians / Hartford Yard GoatsCoco Montes Infielder Hartford Yard Goats / Albuquerque IsotopesMike Moustakas Infielder Cincinnati RedsCole Tucker Outfielder Pittsburgh Pirates / Indianapolis Indians / Reno Aces / ACL Diamondbacks BlackZac Veen Outfielder Spokane Indians / Hartford Yard Goats
Regular season June On Saturday, June 24, the Rockies lost to the Los Angeles Angels in a 1-25 blowout, during which the Angels set new franchise records for both runs scored and hits recorded in a single game. The result was the worst loss in Rockies history, and the 13 runs allowed by Colorado in the 3rd inning is unmatched in the club's record.
Although the Angels outscored the Rockies by a run total of 32-12 over the course of the series, Colorado was victorious in the games played on Friday, June 23, and Sunday, June 25. This -20 run differential currently stands second only to the -23 recorded by the Louisville Colonels in their June 1897 series against the Chicago Colts as the worst run differential by a series-winning team in MLB history.
Game log Legend Rockies win Rockies loss Postponement Eliminated from playoff raceBoldRockies team member
|- style="background:#bfb;" | 1 || March 30 || @ Padres || 7–2 || Márquez (1–0) || Snell (0–1) || — || 45,103 || 1–0 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 2 || March 31 || @ Padres || 4–1 || Freeland (1–0) || Martinez (0–1) || Johnson (1) || 43,177 || 2–0 || W2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 3 || April 1 || @ Padres || 4–8 || Wacha (1–0) || Ureña (0–1) || — || 42,663 || 2–1 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 4 || April 2 || @ Padres || 1–3 || Lugo (1–0) || Gomber (0–1) || Hader (1) || 43,972 || 2–2 || L2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 5 || April 3 || @ Dodgers || 4–13 || Almonte (1–0) || Feltner (0–1) || — || 49,792 || 2–3 || L3 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 6 || April 4 || @ Dodgers || 2–5 || Urías (2–0) || Márquez (1–1) || Phillips (1) || 52,290 || 2–4 || L4 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 7 || April 6 || Nationals || 1–0 || Freeland (2–0) || Gray (0–2) || Johnson (2) || 48,230 || 3–4 || W1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 8 || April 7 || Nationals || 5–10 || Gore (2–0) || Ureña (0–2) || — || 30,869 || 3–5 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 9 || April 8 || Nationals || 6–7 || Williams (1–1) || Gomber (0–2) || Edwards Jr. (1) || 34,503 || 3–6 || L2 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 10 || April 9 || Nationals || 7–6 || Lamet (1–0) || Ramírez (0–1) || Johnson (3) || 30,283 || 4–6 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 11 || April 10 || Cardinals || 7–4 || Márquez (2–1) || Matz (0–2) || — || 24,092 || 5–6 || W2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 12 || April 11 || Cardinals || 6–9 || Gallegos (1–0) || Johnson (0–1) || Helsley (2) || 25,399 || 5–7 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 13 || April 12 || Cardinals || 4–7 || Pallante (1–0) || Lawrence (0–1) || Helsley (3) || 22,250 || 5–8 || L2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 14 || April 14 || @ Mariners || 3–5 || Brash (1–1) || Gomber (0–3) || Sewald (3) || 32,698 || 5–9 || L3 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 15 || April 15 || @ Mariners || 2–9 || Kirby (1–1) || Feltner (0–2) || — || 27,549 || 5–10 || L4 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 16 || April 16 || @ Mariners || 0–1 || Castillo (2–0) || Lamet (1–1) || Sewald (4) || 23,858 || 5–11 || L5 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 17 || April 17 || Pirates || 3–14 || Hill (1–2) || Freeland (2–1) || — || 20,322 || 5–12 || L6 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 18 || April 18 || Pirates || 3–5 || Velasquez (2–2) || Ureña (0–3) || Bednar (5) || 19,495 || 5–13 || L7 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 19 || April 19 || Pirates || 3–14 || Oviedo (2–1) || Gomber (0–4) || — || 18,511 || 5–14 || L8 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 20 || April 20 || @ Phillies || 5–0 || Feltner (1–2) || Strahm (1–2) || — || 35,062 || 6–14 || W1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 21 || April 21 || @ Phillies || 3–4 || Domínguez (1–1) || Hand (0–1) || Alvarado (3) || 43,261 || 6–15 || L1 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 22 || April 22 || @ Phillies || 3–4 || Brogdon (1–0) || Freeland (2–2) || Kimbrel (2) || 41,939 || 6–16 || L2 |- style="background:#fbb;" | 23 || April 23 || @ Phillies || 3–9 || Wheeler (2–1) || Ureña (0–4) || — || 44,618 || 6–17 || L3 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 24 || April 24 || @ Guardians || 6–0 || Gomber (1–4) || Quantrill (1–2) || — || 9,258 || 7–17 || W1 |- style="background:#bfb;" | 25 || April 25 || @ Guardians || 5–1 || Feltner (2–2) || Battenfield (0–2) || — || 9,493 || 8–17 || W2