Rockies Fans Crave Franchise Cornerstone—This Infielder Is Delivering

This Colorado Rockies aren't entirely squared away, but this infielder could end up being a critical piece to their puzzle.

Colorado Rockies cap | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

To be candid, the Colorado Rockies have been riding a roller coaster since the regular season commenced, but they've had more lows than highs. Their first three-game series against the Miami Marlins was an eyesore, but surprisingly, when they faced the Toronto Blue Jays on March 30, the Rockies clinched a jaw-dropping 14-5 victory over last year's World Series runner-up.

Now, it's worth noting that the following day, the Blue Jays bounced back for a 5-1 victory, but for Colorado to secure a win with such a significant margin, there's clearly something here—something worth tapping further into.

For years, the Rockies have found themselves at the butt of nearly every joke in Major League Baseball, yet their fans have remained loyal to their beloved ballclub. But two things can be true at once—fans have been remarkably loyal, but they've also been craving a turning point. This year, their long-awaited cornerstone could start to surface.

All Eyes on Ezequiel Tovar

Colorado Rockies shortstop Ezequiel Tovar | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Since making his debut with Colorado in September 2022, 24-year-old Tovar has been an intriguing player to follow. During his first Major League campaign, he appeared in just nine games and slashed .212/.257/.333 with a .590 OPS with one homer.

Fast forward to 2024, he wrapped up the season slashing .269/.295/.469 with a .764 OPS and 26 home runs. His latest campaign, 2025, wasn't as glamorous, but this can largely be attributed to persistent injuries, ultimately limiting him to 95 games.

Now in his fifth year at Coors Field, Tovar seems to be redeeming himself, and signs are pointing toward him being the cornerstone that fans have so deeply desired.

This became apparent early on, as he's now slashing .308/.308/.500 with a stunning .808 OPS and one homer through six games at the time of this writing. Although it is far too early to tell if Tovar will truly be the Rockies' X factor, the signs are there, and they are positive.

He's a player worth keeping an eye on, but he hasn't garnered nearly enough attention compared to newcomers Michael Lorenzen and Tomoyuki Sugano or southpaw ace Kyle Freeland. If Tovar can continue turning up the heat and do so consistently, there could be a new fan-favorite on the horizon in Colorado.

Remember, success in baseball is never linear; he is bound to have hiccups along the way. But whether or not he overcomes those hiccups will be telling—he is the cornerstone fans have been waiting for?