A moment in spring training built the foundation for what Gabriel Hughes will experience when he steps onto the mound at Coors Field for the first time.

The 10^th overall pick of the 2022 MLB draft, the 24-year-old Hughes was called up from Triple-A Albuquerque before Wednesday’s game against the Miami Marlins. The pitcher who has started 48 of his 50 minor league games will start his MLB career coming out of the bullpen, serving as Colorado’s length guy for now.

Colorado’s bullpen was thinned with right-hander John Brebbia being designated for assignment to make room for Hughes on the active roster.

“Our bullpen doesn’t have a lot of guys to use down there at the moment, so he (Hughes) is going to take a bulk of that whenever he can,” Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer said.

Hughes admitted Monday that coming in as a reliever rather than starting the game would “change the routine,” but he’s certainly ready for the challenge.

“I’m going to be leaning a lot of the older guys, like (Antonio) Senzatela,” Hughes said. “We worked out together this offseason, so I’m going to lean on him, Jaden Hill and other guys who have gone through it and know what the routine is like. I’m going to be leaning on them to get an idea of how I should prepare and what I should be doing in the bullpen and then get myself in the best possible position to go into the game.”

Hughes may find himself in a pressure situation when he enters the game, but the right-hander has already faced perhaps the ultimate pressure cooker this spring when he drew a relief outing for the Rockies against Team USA on March 4 in Scottsdale, Ariz.

In his 1 2/3 innings against Team USA, Hughes faced Bryce Harper, Aaron Judge, Kyle Schwarber, Alex Bregman, Gunnar Henderson, Will Smith, Ernie Clement and Pete Crow-Armstrong. That’s a gantlet that won’t be repeated on any other MLB team this season, so the short time in Scottsdale was jammed with plenty of experience against big-league hitters.

“I was extremely nervous the night before,” Hughes said about his Team USA experience. “And then I thought, ‘Hey, I don’t know what better lineup I’m going to face than that one.’ So it’s always in the back of my mind knowing I’ve already done that. I know where I’ve been and I’m going to take that where I’m going.”

Hughes brings plenty of momentum into his MLB debut. Colorado’s 16^th-ranked prospect has an active 15 2/3-inning scoreless streak with the Isotopes. That’s just one out away from tying for the third-longest streak in Albuquerque history.

“I think the biggest thing is just filling up the zone,” Hughes said of what has worked so well for him in recent outings. “I came into spring training and we have a completely new pitching (coaching) staff. The philosophy is pre-two-strike counts and two-strike counts. The philosophy is get ahead, stay ahead, kill, and I think that’s really simplified my thinking.

“I’m filling up the zone and then I can’t control anything that happens after that.”

Having the mental capacity to simplify the game on the mound and not obsess over the results after throwing a strike is a skill that Hughes has developed with the assistance of a mental skills coach who works with Colorado’s Chase Dollander and other athletes. It’s also a skill that could come in handy at Coors Field, a ballpark where hits can often fall throughout its spacious outfield.

“The mental aspect of the game is so important, especially as a pitcher when you’re out there on the mound,” Hughes said. “I think being able to simplify it and not have those moments where I’m thinking too much and thinking about what happened and what’s coming up but just trying to stay in the moment and where my feet are on the mound is huge.”

Hughes’ promotion continues what has been a youth movement for the Rockies this year. When he makes an appearance, he will become the eighth Rockie (fifth pitcher) to make his MLB debut this season. He will also become the sixth player from Colorado’s 2022 draft class to debut with the Rockies, joining Sterlin Thompson, Jordan Beck, Carson Palmquist, Zach Agnos and Ryan Ritter.

“This is a big deal for Gabe and a big deal for us,” Schaeffer said. “I’m really happy for him. He’s been pitching exceptionally well in Triple-A.”

Rockies 6, Marlins 3

What happened: Hunter Goodman blasted his 27th home run of the season to highlight a four-run fifth inning that propelled the Rockies over Miami, snapping an eight-game losing streak to the Marlins. He is tied with Larry Walker (2001) for the most homers in Rockies history before the All-Star break.

On the mound: Starter Kyle Freeland logged five innings, marking the sixth consecutive outing where he has gone five innings or more and earned his first win since April 7. Brennan Bernardino pitched a scoreless ninth for his 10th consecutive outing without allowing a run for his first save of the season.

At the plate: Mickey Moniak finished a single shy of the cycle, hitting one of three home runs for the Rockies. His solo home run in the first and two-run triple in the fifth gave him three RBIs to pace Colorado’s offense.

What’s next: Colorado wraps up its four-game home series against the Marlins on Thursday afternoon by sending Michael Lorenzen (3-9, 6.83 ERA) to the mound. At press time, Miami had yet to name its starter.