Rockies' Doyle Eyes Bounce-Back Season After Tough '25

Center fielder looks to build on strong finish, focus on family after personal challenges

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Rockies center fielder Brenton Doyle is hoping to bounce back in 2026 after a difficult 2025 season that saw him struggle on the field and deal with personal challenges off it. Doyle hit just .202 with a .576 OPS in the first half of 2025 before turning things around in the second half, batting .287 with a .779 OPS. He also had his high school and college jersey numbers retired, a testament to his accomplishments. Doyle is ready to help inspire a better performance from the Rockies, who went 43-119 last year, and is focused on improving his offensive numbers away from Coors Field.

Why it matters

Doyle's bounce-back season is crucial for the Rockies, who are looking to rebound from a dismal 2025 campaign. As one of the team's young core players, Doyle's performance will be key to the Rockies' success. Additionally, Doyle's personal challenges, including a miscarriage and injury, highlight the mental and emotional toll that professional athletes can face, and his ability to overcome those obstacles is an inspiring story.

The details

Doyle posted a .287 batting average and .779 OPS after the All-Star break in 2025, a significant improvement from his .202 average and .576 OPS in the first half. He also had to work on an out-of-kilter swing, and the Rockies kept him on the bench for three games in a four-game stretch at home while he tested remedies with hitting coaches. Defensively, Doyle's metrics and statistics took a hit, although he was "pretty shocked" when the numbers were presented to him, as he felt he had a strong defensive year based on the "eye test."

  • Doyle posted a .287 batting average and .779 OPS after the All-Star break in 2025.
  • Doyle's high school - Kettle Run in Nokesville, Va. - retired the No. 7 jersey he wore for four seasons on Feb. 3, 2026.
  • Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, West Va., retired Doyle's No. 22 jersey in 2023.

The players

Brenton Doyle

A center fielder for the Colorado Rockies who is looking to bounce back in the 2026 season after a difficult 2025 campaign both on and off the field.

Shelby Rose

Doyle's wife, who is described as "super-extroverted" and a "rock star" who has been a source of support for Doyle.

Warren Schaeffer

The manager of the Colorado Rockies, who sees Doyle's growth and ability to overcome adversity as impressive.

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What they’re saying

“To have my high school and college numbers retired is super special. I remember growing up, playing on so many different fields and seeing numbers hung on the outfield fence -- realizing, 'A guy from here made it to the pros, so why can't I?'”

— Brenton Doyle (mlb.com)

“Last year was a big rollercoaster for me. I went through some really good highs and really good lows. We know those lows help show you what needs to be done to get back to the highs. It was a good learning year, and I ended it on a strong note.”

— Brenton Doyle (mlb.com)

“I regret how quickly I rushed back into the season. Maybe I should've taken more time with my wife, to be there for her and my family. She's super-extroverted -- the complete opposite of me. But opposites attract. She's my rock, and she's a rock star.”

— Brenton Doyle (mlb.com)

“Anytime you go through tough times, it makes you a stronger man -- or woman for that matter. 'BD' went through a tough first half of the season, but the fact he turned it around and found a way to get it done at the highest level is impressive. There's no way you don't learn from that if you're him.”

— Warren Schaeffer, Manager, Colorado Rockies (mlb.com)

What’s next

The Rockies are hoping Doyle can carry his strong finish to the 2025 season into a bounce-back 2026 campaign, as the team looks to rebound from a dismal 43-119 record last year.

The takeaway

Brenton Doyle's story is one of resilience and growth, as the young Rockies center fielder overcame personal challenges and on-field struggles in 2025 to finish the season strong. His ability to learn from those experiences and his commitment to his family and the game make him an inspiring figure, and the Rockies are counting on him to be a key part of their turnaround in 2026.