MLB’s early power rankings for the 2027 season place the Colorado Rockies in last place, a position the team earned with a league-worst 104-loss campaign and the highest team ERA in baseball at 5.59. Yet the rankings also capture a club with enough young offensive talent to potentially finish ahead of the Los Angeles Angels, who sit one spot above Colorado, next season.
The placement reflects the Rockies’ 2026 record more than their future outlook, SI.com reported. While no team can contend while allowing nearly six runs per game, Colorado’s lineup produced the fifth-highest OPS in baseball at .739 — a figure that doesn’t fully account for the hitter-friendly confines of Coors Field.
Hunter Goodman and TJ Rumfield Anchor a Young Core
Catcher Hunter Goodman hit 41 home runs to spearhead the offense, while rookie first baseman TJ Rumfield posted a .300/.390/.453 slash line. Outfielders Cole Carrigg and Jake McCarthy also emerged as major contributors. Each player has room to grow — Goodman could cut his strikeout rate, Rumfield could increase his exit velocity, and Carrigg and McCarthy could draw more walks — but the foundation is in place, according to both SI.com and Yahoo Sports.
Colorado and Los Angeles Finished 2026 as Neighbors in the Standings
The Angels lost 100 games and finished last in the American League West, posting a 4.29 team ERA that was significantly better than Colorado’s 5.59. Los Angeles struggled to score, recording the worst OPS in baseball at .679. According to Baseball-Reference data cited by both outlets, the Angels actually held a higher OPS+ (94) than the Rockies (92), suggesting their offensive struggles were less severe once ballpark factors were accounted for.
The same Coors Field that inflates Colorado’s offensive numbers also complicates its pitching, a factor both SI.com and Yahoo Sports note when comparing the two clubs.
Angels Face Steeper Long-Term Questions Than Colorado
The bigger divide between the two teams lies in their organizational outlooks. The Angels must navigate Mike Trout’s contract, which runs through 2030 and pays $37.1 million annually — roughly a quarter of the team’s projected 2027 payroll. With Zach Neto as their top young player and only two prospects in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100, Los Angeles has a longer road to contention.
Colorado, by contrast, carries four players in MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects alongside established young hitters. Kris Bryant’s contract expires after the 2028 season, giving the Rockies more flexibility. The pitching staff remains the primary concern, but the offensive trajectory suggests the Rockies could legitimately finish ahead of the Angels in 2027, both outlets report.
Pitching Questions Cloud the 2027 Outlook
Neither team projects as a contender, and Colorado’s 5.59 ERA must improve dramatically for the young hitters’ development to translate into wins. Whether the Rockies can address their pitching this offseason will determine if they escape the bottom of the rankings or remain there.
Rookie Stats and Growth Areas for First Baseman
Hunter Goodman hit 41 home runs during the 2026 season, spearheading Colorado’s offense despite the team’s league-worst 104-loss record. His power production stood out even as the Rockies posted the fifth-highest OPS in baseball at .739.
What was TJ Rumfield’s batting line as a rookie?
First baseman TJ Rumfield posted a .300/.390/.453 slash line during his rookie season. Analysts note he could improve by increasing his exit velocity and displaying more power at the plate.
How much is Mike Trout owed annually through 2030?
Mike Trout’s contract runs through 2030 and pays him $37.1 million per year. That figure represents roughly a quarter of the Angels’ projected payroll for the 2027 season, complicating their rebuilding efforts.
How many top 100 prospects do the Rockies have compared to the Angels?
The Rockies have four players ranked within MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects, while the Angels have only two. Colorado also has several young players already established on the big-league roster, giving them a deeper organizational pipeline.
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