BSN Exclusive: Carlos Estevez eyes imminent return

ALBUQUERQUE – Before the July 31st trade deadline, the Colorado Rockies made three additions to their roster that could help push them into the playoffs during the final two months of the season: outfielder and occasional first baseman Matt Holliday, and relief pitchers Seunghwan Oh and Santiago Casilla.

Other additions set to aid the Colorado roster are second baseman D.J. LeMahieu, starting pitcher Chad Bettis, as well as left-handed relievers Mike Dunn and Chris Rusin, all of whom are currently on the disabled list.

One oft-forgotten player on the 40-man roster also capable of delivering support to the Rockies in the days and weeks ahead is a young pitcher that the fans rallied behind for the past two seasons.

Between 2016-17, the sounds of The Troggs’ rock and roll standard “Wild Thing” would emit from the PA systems at Coors Field to hearken one particular reliever from the bullpen as he emerged to take his place on the mound.

Carlos Estevez, 25, has been missing from the 2018 Colorado Rockies after appearing in 98 games as a valued member of the bullpen for the past two campaigns.

Out of action since March when he went on the disabled list with a strained left oblique, he was moved to the 60-Day DL in order to allow for sufficient recovery time from an injury that is at the core of all active movements.

Though it’s been four months of rehabilitation, Estevez is still on the road to recovery. He took some time to discuss his process with the injury and his current state of health.

“Honestly, I’m just getting back to my normal form,” Estevez told BSN Denver. “It feels really good.”

Working with catcher Jan Vazquez and Albuquerque pitching coach Brandon Emanuel during a bullpen session before a game, Estevez felt positive about the progress he’s been making.

“(The bullpen session) was more touch-and-feel,” he began. “It was just location. Since I missed my Spring Training and a lot of the season, I’m just trying to locate my fastball and work from there.”

On July 15th, once it was time for Estevez to return to regular action, the Rockies thought enough of him to designate Brooks Pounders, who had contributed for 15.1 innings with Colorado this season, for assignment.

In the month of July, Estevez had made ten appearances in Triple-A, seven of which were scoreless outings. He pitched ten innings during this span and surrendered just four earned runs, giving up twelve hits and walking four batters in the process. His seventeen strikeouts equated to an impressive 15.3 strikeouts per nine.

It wasn’t long ago that Estevez was named the Rockies closer as a 23-year-old. One season away from making the playoffs, Estevez was inserted as Colorado’s closer during June and July of the 2016 season, when he’d saved 11 games after then-closer Jake McGee hit the DL.

“It was real good to be the closer for a short amount of time, but I know that the team needed me right at that spot. I showed up for them. Things at the end didn’t go as planned, but I think it was a really good time because I know what I can do in the big leagues. That was a big part at the beginning of my career, so I think that was really good.”

During this period of time, he tied a rookie record with saves in three consecutive games. On July 26-28 against the eventual AL Wild Card Baltimore Orioles and National League Champions New York Mets, Estevez was the man who secured the Rockies victories.

“I had never pitched three days before, in a row,” Estevez explained. “Not even in Little League. So, that was pretty tough, since I’ve been in professional baseball for a while. I get to the big leagues and at that point, you feel good, but you’ve never pitched on a third day. So, that was tough.”

Ultimately, Estevez doesn’t concern himself with statistics. Racking up saves or concerning himself daily with his earned run average is irrelevant. He just wants to contribute to the big league club.

“I just go out there and whenever they want me to do the job, like get in with runners on or throw a no-run inning so we can get back close where we’re down by one or we’re tied. Just a quick inning, get out of there. That’s all that matters at that point.”

The 2017 season began with Estevez on Colorado’s Opening Day roster. However, he struggled with command, playing in just 35 games with the Rockies.

He found himself getting demoted and promoted six times between Albuquerque and Colorado. These series of moves took a toll on the second year reliever.

“It’s pretty tough,” he admitted. “Last year, I did [demotion/promotion] a lot. It’s pretty tough with the travel. Your body doesn’t feel the same, but if you have your mind in the right place, you’re always going to be good to get balanced.”

With support from family and teammates, he was able to work through the challenges that often plague young players who might interpret a demotion as a sign that they are simply not good enough.

“Sometimes, you’ve just got to slow down on baseball stuff. Sometimes, stop thinking about baseball because most of the day we spend on the field. And sometimes when you’re having a time like that, bouncing around, you’ve got to forget about it. That’s why you got your family there, people close to you.”

Support has also come from his teammates and coaches, something that can go a long way for a young man from the Dominican Republic.

“They’re gonna let you know you are a part of that team. Even coaches will tell you, ‘We’re here for you’ and all this stuff. It’s tough. If you are in the right place in your head, you’ll be fine.”

Estevez is making his case for an opportunity in the Rockies bullpen and though production in Albuquerque doesn’t always translate to results in Colorado, belief in himself just may.

“I know I can close in the big leagues. They also know it, too.”