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Brenton Doyle Aims for a Fresh Start in 2026
Before the 2025 All-Star break, a mix of personal hardship, injuries, and on-field struggles left Colorado Rockies center fielder Brenton Doyle reeling. Once regarded as the team’s potential franchise cornerstone in the outfield, Doyle had exploded into prominence in 2024, posting 4.0 wins above replacement (wAR) according to Baseball Reference. Yet by midseason, he slid into the category of one of baseball’s least valuable qualified players, with a -2.0 rWAR as of July 5, as both his bat and his defense bore the brunt of poor performances.
The two-time Gold Glove winner out of Shepherd University—a Division II program—had been touted as the Rockies’ future centerpiece in center field going into the year. Even so, discussions about his long-term role in Colorado intensified before the trade deadline, casting doubt on whether the organization saw him as a central piece going forward.
“I had a bumpy year,” Doyle told Purple Row. “The main challenge was resetting after those rough patches and finding ways to climb back to the highs—that was the biggest goal.”
Doyle did rebound in the second half, delivering improved performances at the plate and in the field over the final 56 games. He resembled the form that had defined his 2024 season, finishing with a positive wAR and showing the potential of a true reset.
As the Rockies pursue a brighter 2026, Doyle remains focused on helping the team move forward amid an organizational overhaul. “I just want to win some games,” he said, linking his personal goals with the broader team objective of more wins for the club.
Colorado finished 2025 with a challenging 43-119 record. While still in the rebuilding phase, reducing losses by 100 games would represent a meaningful step toward laying a solid foundation for the franchise’s future.
In the off-season, manager Warren Schaeffer encouraged rookies and prospects to bulk up and adapt to life at altitude. Players like Kyle Karros and Ryan Ritter were highlighted as examples of the club’s plan to strengthen the roster. Schaeffer explained that altitude and the toll of a long season can affect players’ weight and conditioning, underscoring the importance of managing physical endurance for young talents.
For Doyle, weight management is already part of his routine. The rigors of patrolling Coors Field’s expansive outfield are physically demanding, and Doyle has previously shed and then regained weight to maintain speed and stamina. He noted ongoing efforts to add strength while preserving mobility.
During the off-season, Doyle trained with hitting instructor Kevin LaChance in Virginia. LaChance, a former minor leaguer and current Dodgers minor-league hitting coach, is slated to work with the High-A Great Lakes Loons as the hitting coach this season. Doyle credits mid-season mechanical adjustments for helping him rediscover his swing rhythm and production, recalling adjustments that mirrored his minor-league approach before tweaking them again to suit his comfort in 2025.
In his words, the changes during 2025 were subtle rather than sweeping. He described returning to a more comfortable swing while keeping key adjustments that had previously aided him against certain pitchers. His late-season output—.282/.307/.462 with 11 doubles, eight homers, nine steals, and 27 RBIs over the final 56 games—gave him confidence to proceed without major overhauls in the off-season.
With spring training underway, Doyle has expressed optimism about the Rockies’ new coaching team led by Schaeffer and president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta. He described conversations with the leadership as productive and said there is a shared plan that everyone on the club is aligned with.
A central element of that plan is a renewed focus on fundamentals, including enhanced work with the outfield group and first-base/outfield coach Doug Bernier. Doyle emphasized improving reaction time and the efficiency of his first steps and defensive movements as key priorities in early camp.
Doyle opened the Cactus League schedule with a strong showing against the Arizona Diamondbacks, going 3-for-3 with two doubles and three RBIs in center field. He praised the quality of his performance and his deliberate approach to reading pitches and making decisive swings.
As one of the Rockies’ few guaranteed regulars entering 2026, Doyle’s future with the club could either solidify as the franchise’s long-term centerpiece or shift as the team restocks its farm system through potential deadline moves. Regardless of the path, his successful reset in 2025 is likely to be a cornerstone of Colorado’s plans for the season ahead.
In related spring developments, top prospects Kyle Karros and Charlie Condon have begun spring with notable contributions. Karros has had a sturdy start and aims to build on his early progress, while Condon surprised by starting in right field during his Cactus League debut, signaling added versatility in his skill set. Condon noted that he had prepared to see time in multiple outfield positions this spring, not just his traditional role at first base.
For fans and followers of Purple Row, the question remains: will Doyle’s renewed form translate into sustained success in 2026, and what role will he play as Colorado’s broader rebuilding strategy unfolds? Share your thoughts in the comments: Do you see Doyle as the Rockies’ long-term center fielder, or is a trade more likely to accelerate the rebuild?
