Rockies agreed to another one-year contract extension after the team ended 61-101 in 2024, the lowest record in the National League.
Black is 537-657 in eight seasons as Colorado’s manager, surpassing Clint Hurdle this season for the most victories by a manager in franchise history. He led the Rockies to the playoffs in his first two seasons as manager, in 2017 and 2018, the first time the organization had done so in consecutive years. They have not won a season since, and they are coming off two straight seasons of 100 losses.
“While our recent on-field results have not met expectations, we believe this team is on the right track with the development of very talented young players,” Rockies senior vice president and general manager Bill Schmidt said in a statement. “Our company is dedicated to give our supporters the winning squad they deserve. We feel the foundation we’re constructing with our core roster and farm system, together with Buddy’s skills, experience, and understanding, will help us meet our goal of playing games in October.”
Black has been a Major League manager since 2007, spending his whole tenure in the National League West. He played eight complete seasons for the San Diego Padres before moving to Colorado. They sacked him halfway through the 2015 season.
The Rockies also announced that bullpen coach Reid Cornelius and assistant hitting coach PJ Pilittere will not be returning next season.
Bud Black will lead the Rockies’ youth movement
The Rockies’ choice to reinstate their manager despite consecutive 100-loss seasons demonstrates exactly what Schmidt stated in his statement: ownership believes Black is the best person to continue guiding a rebuild.
This season, Colorado had 12 players make their Major League debuts, setting a club record. Brenton Doyle and Ezequiel Tovar, the team’s two most productive batters in terms of bWAR, are both in their second season. Tovar led the squad with 26 home runs, Doyle added 20, and 25-year-old first baseman Michael Toglia also had 25. That gives some hope to the Rockies’ offense, which has struggled to score nearly all season.
The pitching staff was not much better, but there are some reasons for optimism. The Rockies’ team ERA was 5.47, the poorest in the Majors. They do, however, have a group of young arms that could grow into effective relievers. Victor Vodnik, Angel Chivilli, Luis Peralta, Jeff Criswell, Jaden Hill, and Seth Halvorsen are all 25 or under.
With Charlie Blackmon retiring and Kris Bryant unable to remain on the field, expect Colorado to bring in another veteran or two to assist Ryan McMahon in guiding a youthful squad through a 2025 season that must improve if Black is to stay even longer.
