Finger pushing
weather icon 77°F


Why Rockies rookie TJ Rumfield flies under the radar in NL Rookie of the Year race

In the middle of a recent game, TJ Rumfield came to Troy Johnston inside the Rockies dugout looking for a way to snap out of a tough run at the plate.

A rookie looking to a player known for his positivity inside the clubhouse is something that happens on every major league team. On this occasion, however, Johnston’s words were a reminder of what Rumfield has done all season and, to quote Cher from “Moonstruck,” snap out of it.

“He came to me on the bench and he was like, ‘I need some words of wisdom. I need something,’” Johnston remembered, with Rumfield in the midst of a 2-for-14 stretch at the plate. “I go, ‘Hey, I don’t know if you realize but, in my mind, you are the NL Rookie of the Year right now so start acting like it.’”

“After that, he hit a double and then he hit a homer, so I don’t think I need to say anything else for him to remember again.”

Colorado Rockies first baseman TJ Rumfield (7) in the fourth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 30, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Rockies first baseman TJ Rumfield (7) in the fourth inning of a baseball game May 30, in Denver. (The Associated Press)

Yes, Rumfield has been playing like the National League Rookie of the Year throughout this season. That was evident on Friday morning when Rumfield was named as the National League Rookie of the Year for June, the second consecutive month he has won the award.

In 26 June games, Rumfield slashed .316/.400/.589 with nine doubles, one triple, five home runs and 17 RBIs. He led all qualified National League rookies in average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, doubles (nine), extra-base hits (15) and total bases (56). He also tied for first among all NL rookies in hits with 30 and home runs with five.

This season, Rumfield ranks first among all qualified NL rookies in batting average (. 293), on-base percentage (.373), slugging percentage (. 487), OPS (. 860), and hits (89). He is also tied for first with 19 doubles.

The numbers are there for Rumfield to be a front-runner for this year’s NL Rookie of the Year award. However, Rumfield’s impact on the Rockies isn’t apparently being noticed around the country.

Heading into Friday, according to BetMGM, Rumfield had the seventh-highest odds of winning the NL Rookie of the Year. JJ Wetherholt, second baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals, is the favorite to win the award with “a headlock on this award and barring injury, he seems poised to an easy win.”

Colorado’s record and playing at Coors Field will often put a negative spin on any potential annual awards, but Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer doesn’t understand why Rumfield isn’t getting more consideration on a national level.

“They must not be watching a lot of our games. TJ has been awesome,” Schaeffer said on Friday. “Time will play out, but I would ask people to watch TJ play on a daily basis.”

Wetherholt is also gathering plenty of attention for his defense. Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals leads all MLB players with 17 Outs Above Average and Wetherholt is right behind him at 16. Both play at a premium defensive position as opposed to Rumfield, who has accounted for two at first base.

Colorado Rockies' TJ Rumfield returns to the dugout after hitting a solo shot off Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider in the third inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 3, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Rockies’ TJ Rumfield returns to the dugout after hitting a solo shot off Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider in the third inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 3, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

“Metrics are out there and they’re good, but they’re not everything,” Schaeffer said. “TJ, standing over there at first base at 6-foot-5, is immediately a nice target for our infielders. If you’ve played the infield, you understand how big of a deal that is, the way he picks the ball and gives you freedom as a second baseman, shortstop or third baseman or even catcher on a bunt play to have the confidence to make a great play and maybe not have a perfect throw. That guy will dig it out for you.”

Whether it’s at the plate or at first base, Rumfield said he is just trying to keep things simple as he approaches his first All-Star break as a Major League player.

“It’s just being a good teammate and trying to be a better teammate every day, no matter what the situation is,” Rumfield said. “For me, it’s picking guys’ brains and leaning on your teammates when you don’t feel it. They give you a bit of confidence and then you’re going out there to perform.”

And yes, Johnston is one of those guys.

“He is just the same guy every single day,” Johnston said. “It’s fantastic to be a part of. What a joy it is to play behind him and be a part of this clubhouse.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure to watch what he’s doing on the field.”

Now if just more NL Rookie of the Year voters would do the same.


Rockies rout Giants 15-3 behind Jake McCarthy’s historic grand slam

What happened: Highlighted by a two-run Cole Carrigg triple and Jake McCarthy grand slam, Colorado posted seven runs in the fifth inning to take control of the game. It was the 2,400th win in franchise history and third victory in four games this year against San Francisco.

On the mound: Starter Ryan Feltner struck out a season-high nine Giants and continued his mastery of San Francisco at Coors Field. In four career home starts against San Francisco, Feltner is now 2-1 with a 1.80 ERA across 25 innings.

At the plate: Jake McCarthy went 4-for-5 and hit two home runs while logging a career-high six RBI and season-high four hits. His last six games with a hit have been multihit games and his two homers on Friday night gave him a career-high nine long balls. McCarthy is the first player in MLB history with a leadoff homer, a grand slam and a stolen base all in the same game.

What’s next: Colorado continues its three-game home series with San Francisco on Saturday at 6:10 p.m. by sending Tomoyuki Sugano (8-4, 4.80 ERA) to the mound. The Giants will counter with Robbie Ray (7-6, 3.39 ERA).

Tags


Welcome Back.

Streak: 9 days i

Stories you've missed since your last login:

Stories you've saved for later:

Recommended stories based on your interests:

Edit my interests