Rockies at midseason: Breaking down Colorado's historically bad first half as club is on pace for 108 losses

Bryant hasn’t produced much anyways — he has a .186 average with just two homers this year — but the outfielder/first baseman is working on his third injury-riddled season of a seven-year, $182 million contract that’s shaping up as the biggest bust in club history.

Bryant missed 31 games with a low back strain earlier in the year, and has currently missed 22 more games with a left rib contusion in conjunction with an oblique strain. There is currently no timetable for his return.

On top of Bryant, Colorado’s endured other significant injuries.

Southpaw Kyle Freeland missed about two months with a left elbow strain. Outfielder Nolan Jones missed 41 games with a low back strain and a knee sprain. Second baseman Brendan Rodgers missed 11 games with a hamstring strain. Right-hander Justin Lawrence missed 20 games with a right shoulder strain.

And in ongoing ailments: Promising rookie outfielder Jordan Beck has missed 30 games with a fractured left hand. Catcher Elias Diaz has missed 15 games with a left calf strain. Right-hander Jake Bird has missed 28 total games, first for elbow inflammation and now for a groin strain. And rotational stalwarts German Marquez and Antonio Senzatela have yet to pitch this year in their return from Tommy John surgery, though Marquez is close to re-joining the club.

—The Bright Spots

While there’s been no shortage of embarrassments on the field and off — hitting coach Hensley Meulens sparked controversy and an FAA investigation when he posted a video of himself in the cockpit of the Rockies’ charter flight in April — there have been a few bright spots.

Shortstop Ezequiel Tovar and third baseman Ryan McMahon are both playing like all-stars. Backup catcher Jacob Stallings has proven to be a solid free-agent signing. And Cal Quantrill, acquired in a trade with Cleveland in November, has been the consistent linchpin of an otherwise erratic rotation.

Heading into Friday, Tovar ranks among NL leaders in doubles (24, 2nd), hits (94, 3rd), multi-hit games (28, 3rd), extra-base hits (38, T-3rd) and total bases (158, T-4th) while being second among NL shortstops with a .986 fielding percentage.

McMahon, meanwhile, is among the NL’s best hot corner hitters by ranking second in average (.277) and OBP (.353), tied for second with 14 homers, and third in RBIs (42) and OPS (.829).

He’s also made the most starts in the majors at third with 78, and his walk-off grand slam in the home opener was one of the more memorable moments at Coors Field this year.

With Quantrill, his 3.2 bWAR ranks ninth in the Majors and second among NL pitchers. He has 10 quality starts, third-most in the NL West, and his 3.50 ERA is the lowest by a Rockies starter through the first 16 starts of a season since Kyle Freeland’s historic 2018 season.

McMahon and Tovar are under contract through 2027 and 2031, respectively, and barring a trade for the former, both will be part of the Rockies’ attempt at a rebuild over the next few years.

To the Rockies faithful who can be that patient after watching last season, and the disastrous first half of this one, may your faith be rewarded. Because these first 81 games of 2024 have been nothing short of a baseball abomination.