The Colorado Rockies handed out their annual Abby Greer Award on Friday, naming outfielder Zac Veen as the team’s most valuable player in Spring Training. The award has been handed out annually since 2004 by the team as a means of naming the most valuable player of Spring Training who is a product of their player development system.

Veen, the ninth overall pick in the 2020 draft out of Florida’s Spruce Creek High School, is pushing hard for a roster spot and has performed well in camp. Through Friday’s game, he has slashed .308/.390/.538 with two home runs, four doubles, a triple, and 11 RBI. He leads the Cactus League with eight stolen bases.

The door is certainly open for the 23-year-old to make his first Opening Day roster. Entering Spring Training, Nolan Jones and Jordan Beck were penciled in as the presumed starts in the corner outfield to begin the 2025 season. However, both got off to sluggish starts and only recently started to show signs of warming up at the plate. Jones has started making contact while Beck has worked to find his timing at the plate.

Meanwhile, Veen has been a standout performer among the group of outfield hopefuls. His enthusiasm and energy when he plays the game of baseball is the type of spark that the Rockies could use to energize their club. Veen has shown growth a maturity this Spring as well, drawing six walks against 18 strikeouts. He has historically been aggressive at the plate but this year has averaged 3.576 pitches per plate appearance, a whole 1.5 pitches more than he did in 2024. The number may seem insignificant but it shows that he is able to reign in his approach and be a bit more selective. Getting on base then allows him to use his speed to swipe bags.

Still, it is a matter of giving him the most beneficial playing time. The Rockies have also seen quality performances out of outfielders Sean Bouchard and Nick Martini, both of whom have earned themselves spots on the 26-man roster for Opening Day. What would help Veen’s case is the struggles of Sam Hilliard in camp (.071 AVG) who did hit a home run on Thursday, but has struck out 24 times in 42 at-bats. Hilliard’s role as a fourth outfielder mainly hinges on his ability to play center field but the Rockies are assessing the viability of other players being able to spell Brenton Doyle on occasion.

Beck, the 2024 Abby Greer Award winner, can play center field as can Jones on occasion. The Rockies have been debating the prospects of Veen playing the position as well if needed. Regardless, Veen will need consistent at-bats and if he isn’t going to get them with the Rockies, he can get them in Triple-A where he ended the 2024 season, and receive a quick call-up later on once the season begins.

Either way, Veen earning this award is an indication of the player the Rockies believed they were getting when they drafted him out of high school. Injuries and development hurdles have perhaps slowed his timeline, but now he has grown up and is knocking on the door of the big leagues and the team has noticed.