Rockies Outright Warming Bernabel; Infielder Elects Free Agency

The Colorado Rockies’ move to outright infielder Warming Bernabel, followed by his jump to free agency, wraps up a brief but interesting first chapter of his big-league story. Let’s dig into how his red-hot debut cooled off, why the numbers never quite matched the hype, and what his profile might mean as a bat-first corner infielder now looking for a new home.

Rockies Remove Warming Bernabel from 40-Man Roster

The Rockies took Bernabel off their 40-man roster, a move that feels more about shuffling the deck than punishing one bad stretch. After clearing waivers, the 23-year-old chose free agency, hoping for a clearer shot at playing time somewhere else.

For Bernabel, it’s a crossroads. He’s still young, has a track record of hitting in the minors, and now gets to pick his next destination.

A Blazing Debut That Faded Fast

Bernabel’s first week in the majors looked straight out of a prospect highlight reel. In his first seven MLB games, he racked up 14 hits and three home runs, quickly putting his name in the mix as a possible long-term bat in Colorado’s infield.

But after that, the league caught up to him. He hit just .189 with one home run the rest of the way, and that initial surge faded fast. Over 40 games, he finished with a 78 wRC+, well below league average at the plate.

Injury Setback and Inconsistent Performance

Just as he tried to steady himself, Bernabel got hit with another setback—a concussion in September. That sidelined him for a couple of weeks and made an already bumpy rookie year even tougher.

By the end, his numbers showed flashes of promise but not enough to convince the Rockies to keep him on the roster through the offseason churn.

From International Signee to Fringe Big Leaguer

Bernabel’s path started in 2018 when he signed with Colorado as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic. Early on, he stood out for his ability to hit. In the lower minors, he posted strong batting averages and kept his strikeouts in check, looking like a contact-heavy corner infielder.

The first real hurdle came at Double-A Hartford in 2023. There, he hit just .225 and saw his strikeout rate climb over 20% for the first time. That signaled some trouble with pitch recognition and making quality contact against better arms.

Triple-A Surge vs. MLB Reality

He showed some improvement at Double-A in 2024, but the real spark came at Triple-A Albuquerque. Over 75 games, Bernabel hit .301, showing off the line-drive swing that once made him a notable signing.

But let’s be honest—success in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League doesn’t always carry over to the majors. For Bernabel, the gap between Triple-A numbers and MLB results turned out to be pretty big.

Underlying Numbers Show Limited Power Upside

That early home run burst got people talking, but the deeper stats tell a different story about his power ceiling:

He did pull the ball a lot, which sometimes helps hitters find more power, especially in certain parks. In Bernabel’s case, though, the data suggests that hot start was more fluke than future trend. If you’re not making hard contact, those pulled fly balls usually die at the warning track instead of clearing the fence.

Defensive Limitations Complicate His Profile

Bernabel’s path to a regular big-league job gets trickier when you look at his defense. He’s mostly played the corner infield spots and some designated hitter, but scouts have long pegged him as a mediocre to poor defender.

During his brief MLB stint, those concerns held up. He posted -2 Outs Above Average, which isn’t a huge sample but lines up with the idea that he’s unlikely to add much value with his glove.

What Comes Next for Warming Bernabel?

Bernabel, just 23 and now a free agent, has shown strong contact skills in the lower minors. He also put together a productive run at Triple-A.

That kind of track record will probably get him some looks on a minor league deal with a spring training invite. If you’re a rebuilding club or just need a little corner infield depth, he’s the type of low-risk, bat-first project you might take a shot on.

To really stick in the majors, he needs to do one of two things:

Right now, Bernabel’s story feels like one of those classic young hitter tales. He showed some early flashes in the big leagues, but the underlying numbers just didn’t quite match up.

Will his next stop be the place where he turns that potential into something more? Or was that first week in the majors as good as it gets for him?

 
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