THE APEX TIMES
Goodman’s 2026 production put him in the National League’s catcher spotlight, but his stated focus heading into 2027 is on improving pitch-calling, relationships, and the game-to-game details that shape results at altitude.
Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman says his goal for 2027 is straightforward, help Colorado’s pitching staff get the most out of every situation. In his view, that means more consistent attention to “the margins” from the catcher’s spot, where he believes some of the most important cues cannot be seen from the dugout.
Goodman’s standard as a two-way backstop is not theoretical. He led National League primary catchers in 2026 in home runs (41) and total bases (274), with 50% of NL primary catcher games played, according to the Rockies’ team report. His 25 road homers broke Johnny Bench’s 1972 NL road home run record.
The offensive context matters because it frames why Goodman’s personal development is tied to broader club improvement. The Rockies finished 58-104, the Majors’ worst record for the second straight year, but they improved offensively from 2025 by finishing in the top 10 in several categories including extra-base hits (third, 502), batting average (fourth,.254), OPS (fifth,.739), and runs (seventh, 752).
On the defensive and staff-management side, Goodman pointed to the pitching-catcher relationship as an area he wants to deepen. He said that early in the season he did not create as much of a relationship with pitchers as he wanted, but he felt it returned in the back half of the year, and he wants those connections to grow into stronger game planning.
Goodman also linked his catcher-development priorities to the changes the organization is making to the staff. The Rockies parted ways with pitching coach Alon Leichman after one season and hired Ethan Katz, formerly the White Sox pitching coach (2021-25) and an assistant pitching coach with the Astros last season. Goodman referenced Leichman’s midseason idea of indicating pitches from the dugout, including how experienced pitchers responded differently, and said his own comfort is working directly with the pitcher.
A theme in the report was that Goodman sees catchers’ leadership as an on-field and in-room responsibility, not just physical tools. Manager Warren Schaeffer described Goodman and fellow catcher Brett Sullivan as players who can help “call games” and lead staff meetings, arguing that the next step is pouring into that calling and leadership as much as measurables.
Goodman’s run-production and his skill-set behind the plate are part of why the club believes his approach can translate quickly. In the first year of the ABS challenge system, he finished tied for fourth among MLB catchers in overturning balls to strikes (plus-24) and fourth in reversed calls (77 out of 113 challenges), and he has a.903 OPS in 215 career games as a catcher, outstripping his other-position OPS.
As the Rockies prepare for 2027, Goodman’s stated direction is to combine his offensive impact with an upgraded role in how the pitching staff attacks hitters. The immediate details he cited include taking more responsibility for calling pitches, improving game-calling processes on his side, and continuing to build the communication rhythm that he said returned later in 2026.