Rockies Add Veteran Talent Evaluator Chad MacDonald to Front Office
The Colorado Rockies continue to reshape their front office, bringing in longtime baseball executive Chad MacDonald as special assistant, player personnel. It’s the latest move in what’s becoming a calculated overhaul under the leadership of executive vice president Walker Monfort, president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta, and newly hired general manager Josh Byrnes.
MacDonald brings a deep scouting pedigree and a track record of identifying Major League talent, with ties to both DePodesta and Byrnes that stretch back over a decade. His resume includes a stint with the Diamondbacks from 2006 to 2010, where he worked under Byrnes and eventually led Arizona’s international scouting efforts. That role helped lay the foundation for a front office philosophy that values global talent pipelines-a philosophy that could now take root in Colorado.
His connection with DePodesta dates back to 2011, when MacDonald served as the Mets’ director of scouting. That year, he played a key role in the Draft process, helping the organization secure future Major League contributors. He later rejoined Byrnes in San Diego from 2012 to 2014 as vice president and assistant GM of player personnel, further cementing his reputation as a trusted evaluator with a keen eye for both amateur and professional talent.
MacDonald’s scouting fingerprints are all over a number of big-league names. He was involved in the Draft selections of Brandon Nimmo, Michael Fulmer, Seth Lugo, Max Fried, Zach Eflin, Hunter Renfroe, and Trea Turner-players who’ve gone on to make significant impacts across the league. That kind of track record doesn’t just happen by chance; it’s the result of experience, instincts, and a deep understanding of how to project a young player’s future.
After a stint with the Braves, MacDonald returned to the Mets from 2020 to 2023, continuing to build on his reputation as a dependable voice in player evaluation circles. Now, he brings that wealth of experience to a Rockies front office that’s clearly focused on laying a new foundation.
“We’ve had multiple areas of focus-the first two were our Major League coaching staff, and then the front office staff,” DePodesta said during a recent press conference. “We really wanted to get those things in place at the same time, never losing sight of wanting to improve our team, because ultimately that’s what we’re all here for.”
It’s no secret that overhauling both a coaching staff and a front office simultaneously is no small task, especially in the offseason months when the baseball calendar is already packed with decisions. But the Rockies are moving with purpose.
With DePodesta joining in November and Byrnes following in early December, the front office has been steadily taking shape. MacDonald’s arrival is another piece of that puzzle-a trusted evaluator with a proven eye for talent and a history of working seamlessly with the club’s new leadership.
If the Rockies are serious about building a sustainable contender, moves like this-quiet but impactful-are the kind that help set the tone. The front office isn’t just being filled; it’s being built with intention.