Rockies' Ezequiel Tovar Predicted for Breakout Season After Strong WBC

The 24-year-old shortstop hit .471 for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic

Mar. 19, 2026 at 2:40pm

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The Colorado Rockies are hoping for a breakout season from shortstop Ezequiel Tovar in 2026 after his impressive performance in the World Baseball Classic, where he hit .471 in 18 plate appearances for Venezuela. Tovar, who is entering his fifth season with the Rockies, is predicted by The Athletic's Keith Law to improve on his offensive production and total value this year.

Why it matters

The Rockies are several years away from contention and need to focus on player development to turn the franchise around. Tovar's potential breakout season could be a key part of that rebuilding process, as the team looks to build around its young core.

The details

Tovar, 24, has already shown his defensive prowess, winning a Gold Glove Award in 2024. However, his hitting has been the area that needs the most improvement. Law reports that Tovar has the ability to hit for power, with the high-end exit velocities to potentially hit 20-plus home runs. But his bat speed has not been enough to consistently get to big-league fastballs. To address this, Tovar gained 10-15 pounds during the offseason, which should help him drive the ball more effectively, especially at the hitter-friendly Coors Field.

  • Tovar is entering his fifth season with the Rockies in 2026.
  • Tovar hit .471 in 18 plate appearances for Venezuela in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

The players

Ezequiel Tovar

A 24-year-old shortstop for the Colorado Rockies who won a Gold Glove Award in 2024 and is predicted to have a breakout offensive season in 2026.

Keith Law

A senior baseball writer for The Athletic who predicts Tovar will have a breakout season in 2026.

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What they’re saying

“Tovar has shown the ability to pull the ball in the air for power, and he has already demonstrated the high-end exit velocities to get to 20-plus homers, but his bat speed hasn't been enough to get to big-league fastballs consistently.”

— Keith Law, Senior baseball writer, The Athletic

“The added strength should help in that department, and if he holds some of the improvements in his swing decisions from 2025, he should best his 2024 season in offensive production and total value.”

— Keith Law, Senior baseball writer, The Athletic

What’s next

Tovar's performance in the World Baseball Classic could carry over into the 2026 MLB regular season and help him earn his first All-Star selection.

The takeaway

Ezequiel Tovar's potential breakout season is an important part of the Colorado Rockies' rebuilding process, as the team looks to build around its young core and return to contention in the NL West.