Bench coach Jeff Pickler<\/a>, third base coach Andy Gonzalez<\/a>, first base coach Doug Bernier, assistant hitting coach Jordan Pacheco and Schaeffer all took players aside to point out the nuances of the contact play.\n<\/p>\n Schaeffer acknowledged that the Rockies were bad at baserunning \u2014 and many other baseball basics \u2014 during Colorado\u2019s miserable 119-loss season in 2025<\/a>. He is intent on changing the narrative, and it starts with a back-to-basics approach at the team\u2019s Salt River Fields complex.\n<\/p>\n \u201cThe individual skills and defensive work and baserunning work, it\u2019s all tailored to what the players need,\u201d Schaeffer said. \u201c(We have) a higher coach-to-play ratio now. We are teaching the game, and players are getting what they need.<\/p>\n \u201cPlayers aren\u2019t just going out there and taking groundballs just for the sake of it. There is real, intentional work going on.\u201d<\/p>\n A fresh approach<\/p>\n Schaeffer, the interim manager for much of last season after taking over when Bud Black was fired in May, is running a big-league camp<\/a> for the first time. He believes major changes are necessary for the Rockies to break out of a seven-year losing streak that includes three consecutive 100-loss seasons. Schaeffer sought counsel from all his coaches, especially new bench coach Jeff Pickler, as he formulated his spring training blueprint.\n<\/p>\n Of course, it\u2019s still very early \u2014 Wednesday marked just the second full-squad workout, and Colorado\u2019s first Cactus League game is Friday \u2014 but the players are giving a hearty thumbs up to \u201cCamp Schaeffer.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe energy around here is great,\u201d center fielder Brenton Doyle said. \u201cThe vibes around here are really good; something I haven\u2019t felt around here in previous years. There is a lot of good stuff going on, and I think a lot of people are going to buy into it.\u201d<\/p>\n One thing\u2019s for sure: players are going to get more sleep during their 42-day stint in the desert. In recent years, the players were often in the batting cages by 7 a.m, trying to hone their swing with sleep still in their eyes. Schaeffer changed that, aiming for the Rockies to be fresh when they open the regular season on March 27 in Miami.\n<\/p>\n \u201cNo. 1, everything is important,\u201d the manager said. \u201cSo, we\u2019re pushing the guys\u2019 morning schedule back and giving them time to get ready for the day, and not having to wake up at 5 a.m.\u201d<\/p>\n Doyle, 28, welcomes the change.<\/p>\n \u201cI used to be able to roll out of bed and just go play,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s different for me now. I\u2019m glad things have changed, and the schedule is much better than in the past. \u2018Schaeff\u2019 has given us time to get warmed up and get ready, so that when we do go on that field, it doesn\u2019t feel rushed. Camp is very scheduled and very detailed. There is not a lot of wasted time.\u201d<\/p>\n Catcher Hunter Goodman<\/a>, Colorado\u2019s lone All-Star last season, came to Arizona determined to get better defensively and to become a better game-caller. He welcomes the chance to hone his craft.\n<\/p>\n \u201cI need this, 100%,\u201d he said. \u201cThere is a lot more time in the schedule for individual stuff. Our catchers\u2019 work, for example. We are getting 25-30 minutes a day, just working on catching stuff and not doing anything else. It\u2019s a change, for sure.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the past, we would just be catching bullpens and trying to do our own work in between bullpens. Having a set time to do individual work has been nice. I think they are giving us the tools to succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n Goodman slashed .278\/.323\/.520 with 31 homers last season, while starting 97 games behind the plate, and lining up as the designated hitter 39 times. Schaeffer believes there is more offensive firepower in Goodman\u2019s game, and he wants the catcher to find it this spring \u2014 and hold onto it.<\/p>\n \u201cHistorically, catchers have always just gotten through spring training,\u201d Schaeffer said. \u201cIt\u2019s like, \u2018Let\u2019s get through this.\u2019 Now, (we have) intentional time built into the day for them to get better at their craft.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019re still going to catch their bullpens; the day\u2019s set up for that. And that\u2019s valuable. But they have time to work on their defense and their hitting. A lot of times in spring, the catchers\u2019 hitting gets neglected. And our catcher is the best hitter on our team. So, we can\u2019t neglect that time.\u201d<\/p>\n Among Colorado\u2019s weaknesses last season, starting pitching was the most glaring. A 6.65 ERA for the starting rotation, the worst in major league history, crippled the team\u2019s ability to compete. In an attempt to fix that, new pitching coach Alon Leichman, assistant coach Gabe Ribas, bullpen coach Matt Buschmann, and pitching coordinator Matt Daniels were brought on board.<\/p>\n They\u2019re tasked with using technology, analytics and old-fashioned instruction to fix the problems. Right-hander Chase Dollander, who has the best pure stuff on the staff, struggled last year as a rookie, going 2-12 with a 6.52 ERA in 21 starts. Dollander said he welcomes his spring training tutorials.\n<\/p>\n \u201cThere is definitely a lot more individual teaching going on,\u201d he said. \u201cThe coaches are doing a deep dive into the analytics and the mechanical stuff that you need. They present it to you in an understandable way.<\/p>\n \u201cOf course, it\u2019s also up to you to approach them and talk about certain things that you need to understand. But it\u2019s been great. These are smart guys with smart stuff.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Players](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/TDP-L-Rockies-Spring-RJS-03431.jpg\")
Players take the field for drills during morning practice at spring training for the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Field at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Arizona on Feb. 18, 2026. (Photo by RJ Sangosti\/The Denver Post)<\/p>\n![\"Infielder\/Outfielder,](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/TDP-L-Rockies-Spring-RJS-03033.jpg\")
Infielder\/Outfielder, Vimael Machin, runs bases during morning practice at spring training for the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Field at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Arizona on Feb. 18, 2026. (Photo by RJ Sangosti\/The Denver Post)
\nBlending technology and old-fashioned instruction<\/p>\n