Rockies Recall 2020 1st-Rounder Zac Veen: Top Prospect Returns
Zac Veen Returns to the Big Leagues: A Fresh Start for the Rockies’ Young Star
Who Is Zac Veen?
Think of Zac Veen like a highly drafted rookie in a video game who had a rough tutorial level but is now crushing the "minor league" levels and getting called up to the main game.
- Drafted: 9th overall pick in 2020 by the Colorado Rockies
- Signing Bonus: $5 million (that’s a lot of money for an 18-year-old!)
- Position: Outfielder (he plays in the grass way out back)
- Age: 24 years old
- Height: 6-foot-3 with added muscle this year
Important Point: Veen was considered a "can’t miss" prospect coming out of high school in Florida. The Rockies believed he had special tools: big power, speed, and the ability to play multiple positions.
The Long, Bumpy Road to This Moment
Veen’s journey hasn’t been a straight line. Here’s the timeline in simple terms:
- 2020: Drafted, but COVID canceled the entire minor league season. He didn’t play a single pro game.
- 2021-2022: Started playing, showed flashes of brilliance.
- 2023-2024: Injuries kept him off the field for huge chunks of both seasons.
- 2024 (Off-field struggles): Veen was smoking marijuana daily and drinking heavily. He even got caught smoking during a game at the Rockies’ Triple-A stadium.
- This Past Offseason: He got sober. Showed up to spring training clean, stronger, and focused.
- 2025: Made his MLB debut but only played 12 games. Struggled badly (.118 average, struck out 38% of the time).
- 2026 (Triple-A): Dominating. Putting up video game numbers.
How Good Has He Been in Triple-A This Year?
Imagine playing a baseball video game on "Rookie" difficulty and still hitting home runs every other game. That’s basically what Veen did in Albuquerque.
| Stat | What It Means | Veen’s Number |
|---|---|---|
| Batting Average | How often he gets a hit | .325 (Elite) |
| On-Base % | How often he reaches base | .400 (Excellent) |
| Slugging % | How much power he shows | .637 (Massive) |
| OPS | Combined offensive score | 1.037 (MVP-level) |
| Home Runs | Balls hit out of the park | 25 in 99 games |
| Strikeout Rate | How often he whiffs | 20.4% (Much improved!) |
| Walk Rate | How often he gets free passes | 10.8% (Great patience) |
Important Point: Last year in the majors, Veen struck out 37.8% of the time. This year in Triple-A, he cut that to 20.4%. That’s a massive improvement in plate discipline — exactly what the Rockies wanted to see.
The "Video Game" Game That Sealed the Deal
Over the weekend, Veen had what baseball nerds call a "career game" — the kind kids dream about:
- 5-for-5 (a hit every single at-bat)
- 3 Home Runs
- 1 Double
- 1 Triple
- 17 Total Bases (Home run = 4, Triple = 3, Double = 2, Single = 1)
This has only happened 6 times in the minor leagues since 2005. The Rockies’ front office saw this and said, "Okay, he’s ready."
What Changes for the Rockies Now?
The Move
- Veen called up from Triple-A Albuquerque
- Edouard Julien designated for assignment (DFA’d) — basically cut from the 40-man roster to make room
- Julien is also a lefty hitter but was hitting only .208 and barely playing
How Veen Will Be Used
- Platoon outfielder = He’ll play mostly against right-handed pitchers
- Quality at-bats = The team wants him to be patient, not swing at everything
- Speed threat = 167 career minor league steals (he can run!)
The Crowded Outfield
Veen is now the 6th outfielder on the active roster:
- Jake McCarthy
- Mickey Moniak
- Troy Johnston (also plays 1st base)
- Jordan Beck
- Cole Carrigg (rookie, also plays shortstop!)
- Zac Veen
Playing time will be "fluid" — manager speak for "we’ll figure it out day by day."
The Bigger Picture: Rebuilding the Rockies
The Rockies have lost 100+ games three years in a row. They’re currently 46-73 and need to go 17-26 the rest of the way to avoid a fourth straight 100-loss season.
Veen is part of a wave of top prospects the team hopes will turn things around:
| Prospect | Draft Info | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Charlie Condon | 2024, 3rd overall | Crushing Triple-A (.282/.397/.542, 22 HR) — likely debuting soon |
| Jordan Beck | 2022, 1st round | Recalled Aug 3, working on consistency |
| Gabriel Hughes | 2022, 1st round | Debuted July 3, showing starter potential |
| Chase Dollander | 2023, 1st round | "Ace of the future" — recovering from elbow surgery |
Important Point: Veen and Condon are the cornerstone hitters of this rebuild. If they both hit like they did in the minors, the Rockies’ offense could become a real strength at Coors Field.
What Veen Said About His Goals
"Best-case scenario is I get 500 to 600 at-bats and I play in the most games that I’ve ever played in. That is the ultimate scenario for me. In a perfect world, I’m obviously in the major leagues, but in an even more perfect world, I’m just being the best version of myself every day."
He’s focused on staying healthy and being consistent — not just getting called up.
Summary
- Zac Veen, the Rockies’ 2020 1st-round pick, is back in the majors after a dominant Triple-A season.
- He hit .325/.400/.637 with 25 HR and drastically improved his strikeout rate.
- A historic 5-for-5, 3-HR game (17 total bases) forced the team’s hand.
- Veen overcame injuries, substance abuse, and early MLB struggles to get here sober and stronger.
- He’ll platoon vs righties, bring speed, and join a crowded outfield.
- Veen is a key piece of the Rockies’ rebuild alongside prospects like Charlie Condon, Jordan Beck, and Chase Dollander.
- The team is trying to avoid a fourth straight 100-loss season.
FAQ
Q: Why did it take so long for Veen to get back to the majors after being a top pick?
A: Three main reasons: (1) COVID canceled his first pro season, (2) injuries wiped out big chunks of 2023-24, and (3) he had personal struggles with substance abuse that he’s now overcome.
Q: What does "platoon outfielder" mean?
A: It means he’ll mostly play against right-handed pitchers. Left-handed hitters (like Veen) typically see the ball better from righties, so teams match them up that way.
Q: What does "designated for assignment" (DFA) mean for Edouard Julien?
A: The Rockies removed him from the 40-man roster. They have 7 days to trade him, release him, or send him to the minors (if he clears waivers). He’s essentially being replaced by Veen.
Q: Is Charlie Condon coming up soon too?
A: Very likely. The Rockies’ farm director said he’d be "surprised" if Condon doesn’t debut before the season ends. He’s been crushing Triple-A pitching (.282/.397/.542 with 22 HR).
Q: Why are the Rockies so bad right now if they have all these prospects?
A: Rebuilds take time. Prospects are future talent. The current MLB roster is filled with young, unproven players and not enough established veterans. The hope is Veen, Condon, and others turn the corner in the next 1-2 years.