It’s been a busy weekend for the Colorado Rockies. As Spring Training draws to a close, the team has been assessing the roster, making moves, and trying to lay out the path back to contention. On Sunday, they made a significant move towards that path by signing shortstop Ezequiel Tovar to a seven-year, $63.5 million contract with an eighth-year option that could push the total to $84 million. The deal was first reported by El Extrabase. With this move, the Rockies have locked up a young star in the making that they feel will be a foundational piece for the next eight years.

Originally signed out of Venezuela in 2017 by the Rockies, Tovar made a quick rise through the minor league system before making his Major League debut at the end of the 2022 season. Early on, the Rockies felt that he could be the next great organizational shortstop and Tovar did plenty to affirm those hopes through his early professional career.

During his four seasons in the minors, Tovar slashed .284/.343/.438 over 283 games, boasting a .782 OPS with 31 home runs and 149 RBI. Initially signed as a switch-hitter, the Rockies saw fit early on in his development to advise him to focus strictly on his natural right side. The move proved to be a helpful one as his ability to hit for power and get extra bases became more evident and helped his rise through the system.

During the 2022 season, Tovar rapidly ascended through the system, lighting up the world in Double-A Hartford. He seemed primed to make his debut before the summer was over but nagging groin injuries sidelined him for the majority of the summer months and he was able to recover until the latter part of September. A brief five-game stay in Triple-A Albuquerque was enough for the Rockies to promote Tovar for the final week of the 2022 season. The results were uninspiring as he struck out nine times in nine games, but did hit his first home run and showed that he could play a solid shortstop.

The team decided to hand the reigns of the position to him for the 2023 season and Tovar had the chance to make good on the decision. As a rookie in 2023, Tovar displayed the underlying flashes of his potential as the everyday shortstop. In 153 games he slashed .253/.287/.408 with a 77 OPS+ and 70 wRC+. He faced struggles early on, but he eventually managed to hit 15 home runs and led the team with 73 RBI. He also clubbed 37 doubles, tying Hall of Famer Todd Helton for the most doubles in a season by a rookie in franchise history.

The main struggle he had was his overaggressive hitting profile. Tovar is an aggressive swinger and while that isn’t inherently bad, the quality of contact and pitch selection left room for improvement. Tovar boasted a 71.2% contact rate last season, including an 84.7% contact rate on pitches in the zone. However, the problems came from a 42% chase rate along with a 31.3% whiff rate. This translated to a 27% strikeout rate against a 4.1% walk rate in 2023. Tovar is still young but will have to prove he can develop his plate discipline as he matures at the big league level.

Defensively, however, Tovar has excellent. He finished third in the NL Gold Glove award voting at shortstop while also posting an MLB record-setting .988 fielding percentage for a rookie shortstop, beating the previous record of .987 by Troy Tulowitzki during his rookie campaign in 2007. He also recorded 13 defensive runs saved and had a 12 Fielding Run Value according to Statcast. His range and arm strength ranked among the best in the league. 

The deal comes at an opportune time as the Rockies enter the 2024 season with an eye toward building for the future. It helps to have players like Tovar with star potential, all in on the process. Tovar approached the Rockies with the desire to sign an extension with the team after last season, a positive sign of the young player’s commitment. The deal is a win-win for both sides as it gives Tovar financial and contract security through his age-29 season, while also giving the Rockies financial security over an extended period of time, allowing them to have the flexibility to add players.

“We are excited to be able to secure Ezequiel’s future in Denver with this extension,” said Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt in a statement. “He has already proven he is one of the best shortstops in baseball, and we see him as a cornerstone of this franchise for years to come.”

#Rockies SS Ezequiel Tovar, with bullpen coach Aaron Munoz interpreting, talks about his long-term deal. pic.twitter.com/br6303R3M8

— Patrick Saunders (@psaundersdp) March 26, 2024

Tovar, 22, is expected to be a defensive leader in an infield that features the likes of Gold Glove finalist Ryan McMahon at third base and Gold Glove winner Brendan Rodgers at second along with a slightly revolving door of players at first base. He’s also an indication of what the Rockies hope will be a fruitful parade of impactful position player prospects for the coming years. The future is bright for Tovar and this extension came at the right time and bodes well for the Rockies.