After a promising prelude last summer, the Rockies are expecting big things from Michael Toglia’s true rookie season in 2023.
Colorado’s switch-hitting first baseman of the future will vie for a spot this year behind C.J. Cron. Toglia could also see action in right field, where he made 17 starts last year. The Rockies’ first-round pick in 2019 (No. 23 overall) out of UCLA struggled away from Coors Field, hitting .175 with a .235 on-base percentage compared to .271/.327 at home.
Perhaps most encouraging from Toglia’s 31-game stint with the Rockies last season was his hitting in the clutch. Toglia slashed .280/.308/.560 with a .868 OPS with runners in scoring position. Defensively, he profiles as an elite first baseman with the glove. His play at corner outfield last year helped accelerate the path to his Rockies debut.
Where the 6-foot-5, 236-pound Toglia goes from here is where his bat takes him.
The fact the Rockies brought Toglia up last year is an indication they believe in his potential as an everyday big-league first baseman. But his strikeout rate was too high (36.6%), and this spring, there is competition for a roster spot behind Cron with the likes of Elehuris Montero and newcomer Nolan Jones.
Toglia needs to play well this spring to make the opening-day roster. If not, he’ll likely begin 2023 in Triple-A.
