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Hunter Goodman’s Rise: A Star is Born Behind the Plate in Colorado
Let’s talk about a name that’s quickly becoming one of the biggest stories in the Colorado Rockies organization this season—Hunter Goodman. Just a few months ago, no one could have predicted how drastically he would reshape the Rockies' catching depth chart. Now, at the midpoint of 2025, Goodman is not only the starting catcher—he’s an All-Star, and he’s forcing the Rockies to rethink everything about their future behind the plate.
It’s wild how fast things can change in baseball. Back in March, the plan seemed simple. Jacob Stallings was expected to anchor the catching corps, with Goodman and Drew Romo fighting for backup duties. And Braxton Fulford? He was supposedly going to be in limbo. Fast forward to July, and Stallings has been released, Romo’s dealing with setbacks in Triple-A, and Fulford is bouncing between levels. Meanwhile, Goodman has stepped up in a massive way.
Let’s be real—Goodman wasn’t expected to be “the guy” at catcher. Sure, the Rockies always believed in his bat, and his power was obvious coming up through the minors. But catching? That was supposed to be more of a developmental experiment. Yet here he is, starting games, hitting .277 with 17 home runs, and posting a 116 wRC+. He’s thriving offensively—especially on the road—and his defensive work, while still a work in progress, is improving under the guidance of catching coach Dustin Garneau.
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His backstory only makes this rise even more compelling. Goodman grew up watching his parents play the game—both of them catchers—and was practically born squatting behind the plate. His mom, a decorated softball catcher, even trained him when he was little. Catching is in his blood, and it shows in the way he talks about the game. Goodman thrives behind the dish not just because it’s what he knows, but because it allows him to reset between at-bats, mentally locked in every pitch.
Of course, with all the positives come challenges. His defensive metrics lag behind, and he leads NL catchers in errors. But Warren Schaeffer, now managing the Rockies, has made it clear: the offensive value Goodman brings is worth the tradeoff. And the team is trying to manage his innings to keep him healthy—he’s already caught more this year than in any previous season, and he’s battled through some hamstring tightness.
And that leaves the rest of the catching situation in limbo. Fulford impressed in a brief stint and could return soon. Austin Nola’s role is clearly short-term. Drew Romo is still in the wings, though he's not quite ready. Down on the farm, Cole Messina is turning heads, but it’s too early to tell how soon he’ll impact the big league roster.
The Rockies’ catching plan has been flipped upside down, all thanks to Hunter Goodman. What was once a position defined by veteran presence is now helmed by youth, potential, and a whole lot of pop at the plate. The job is clearly Goodman’s to lose, and if he continues on this trajectory, the Rockies may have found their catcher not just for this season—but for years to come.
And let’s be honest—nobody saw this coming.
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