Injuries have left the reeling Rockies scrambling, but also opened the door of opportunity for third baseman Kyle Karros.
The 23-year-old Karros, ranked as Colorado’s No. 8 prospect by MLB Pipeline and No. 14 by Baseball America, was called up by the Rockies on Friday. He could be the Rockies’ third baseman of the future, replacing Ryan McMahon, who was traded to the Yankees last month ahead of the trade deadline.
Karros, making his major league debut, was in Colorado’s starting lineup at third base for Friday night’s game against Arizona at Chase Field. Karros was batting eighth.
The Rockies also called up infielder Aaron Schunk, adding him to the 40-man roster.
Before the Rockies played the Diamondbacks, the club transferred second baseman Thairo Estrada to the 60-day injured list with a right hamstring injury, ending his frustrating season. Utility infielder Orlando Arcia was placed on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to Aug. 6) with right elbow inflammation. Both players were hurt in Colorado’s loss to the Blue Jays on Tuesday night at Coors Field.
Additionally, right-handed pitcher Angel Chivilli went on the restricted list. The Rockies said the reliever was dealing with a personal matter.
Karros is the son of former Dodgers first baseman Eric Karros. The younger Karros was Colorado’s fifth-round draft pick out of UCLA in 2023. He’s been steadily climbing his way to the majors.
In 75 games between the Arizona Complex League, Double-A Hartford and Triple-A this season, he slashed .301/.398/.476 with six home runs, 23 doubles, three triples, 26 RBIs and seven stolen bases. In three minor league seasons, he’s slashed .304/.393/.459 with 21 homers, 60 doubles, six triples, 121 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases in 234 games.
He’s considered a strong fielder with a good arm. He has a career .970 fielding percentage in 211 games at third base and a 1.000 fielding percentage in eight games at first base. In 2024, he was named the High-A Northwest League MVP after slashing .311/.390/.485 in 123 games with Spokane, falling one home run shy of winning the triple crown. He also earned 2024 Rawlings Minor League Gold Glove honors as the top defensive third baseman in minor league baseball.
Schunk, 28, was outrighted off the 40-man roster in June. He has a .230/.254/.311 slashline in 127 big league plate appearances.
Estrada, 29, was supposed to team up with Gold Glove second baseman Ezequiel Tovar to give Colorado superior defense in the middle of the diamond. His contract guaranteed him $4 million this season with a mutual option for 2026.
But now his future in Colorado is in doubt. He was hit by a pitch in spring training and broke his right wrist, landing him on IL for the first two months of the season. He also missed time with a sprained left thumb. Now his hamstring strain has sidelined him for the remainder of the season. He played in only 39 games and hit .253/.285/.370.
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