The Colorado Rockies rotation had the worst ERA in the majors in 2015. Giving up one-third of a run more than the second worst team every single game. In 2016, the Rockies have an affluence of young, ‘high impact’ pitchers as they enter Spring Training.
Last season the team was hampered by injuries to their rotation, as almost every single pitcher missed, at least, a handful of starts while some key pieces missed extended periods. Tyler Chatwood missed the entirety of the season with torn ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow while Jordan Lyles‘ season was cut very short after he injured his foot. Each when healthy has added not only depth but quality to the Colorado pitching staff.
“I think adding two guys like Chatwood and Lyles, veteran stabilizers to an organization or to a rotation, is going to be a massive positive for us,” Rockies General Manager Jeff Bridich said. “The injury to Chatty, with it being his second Tommy John and the recovery from that, he’ll be a little bit more sensitive and involved than Jordan’s recovery with his injury being his foot.”
Along with those two, Jorge De La Rosa is a shoe-in to be the third veteran in the Rockies rotation. But where the questions and positivity a line are with the youth the team has on the mound.
“In addition to that (Chatwood and Lyles),” Bridich explained. “You have the growth of Jon Gray, you had the growth of Chad Bettis last year, you have what could be a quality fifth starter in a guy like Chris Rusin, and then you have young players in addition to that.”
For the Rockies who’s contention window is most likely in the future, the last group of pitchers, as well as the players not yet at the major league level will have the highest impact on the future.
“You have depth in terms of (Christian) Bergman, (David) Hale and (Eddie) Butler,” Bridich told. “Young players like Tyler Anderson. Then you mention (Jeff) Hoffman and even (Antonio) Senzatela and some of these other guys they aren’t guys at Low-A or Rookie ball. These guys are at Double-A and Triple-A that are highly impactful.”
One more player that could have a huge impact on the Rockies future is Kyle Freeland, he was their first-round pick two years ago but has struggled in his young pro career.
“Our goal for him (Freeland) is really all about sustained health this year,” Bridich said of his oft-injured young pitcher. “He’s been very good when he’s been healthy, he’s had a couple of choppy seasons in pro ball but he’s highly impactful, he showed it. He had one rough game in the fall league and then dominated.”
The pitching prospect everyone is interested in is Jeff Hoffman. The right-hander who was the major piece that the Rockies acquired in the Troy Tulowitzki trade. Hoffman spent half of the season last year recovering from a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing elbow.
“Jeff Hoffman in terms of the Tommy John and the recovery and all that, a little bit different than Jon Gray (last year),” Bridich answered about Hoffman’s major league potential for 2016. “It’s tough to say right now, we feel very good about where Jeff is at in terms of recovery from the injury and being able to take the ball and do what he did last year. He was being told by his former team (the Blue Jays) that they were planning on him being a September call-up last year. We put every foot that we had on that break and changed lanes and changed avenues with a greater look towards future health and extend health.”
“I’m not gonna tell you exactly what our plan would be,” Bridich followed up on Hoffman. “I think we need to sit down with Jeff at Spring Training and make sure everyone is on the same page, but we all look forward to Jeff pitching for us and advancing his career towards the highest levels.”
Perhaps the main piece for Colorado’s pitching staff has already joined the major league club, that man being Jon Gray. In an extended cup of coffee, last season Gray flashed his future potential, showing why he was the third overall pick in 2013.
“The plan is for him (Gray) to hopefully occupy one of the spots in the major league organization and have at it,” The Rockies GM exclaimed.
As for adding more pitching via free agency or a trade Bridich went almost as far as shutting it down in terms of it being a necessity.
“We’re looking at everything to acquire a pitcher,” he said. “Every time you think about that (bringing in a veteran) you have to weigh that aginst the future opportunities of the players we already have here.”
The veteran that seems to be linked to the Rockies is Yovani Gallardo. Rumors have surfaced about the two parties negotiating in the last few days.
“(The rumors are) fairly overblown,” Bridich told. “A lot of what came out was a product of the agent group. When you get bombarded by texts, calls and finally take a call, that does not equate serious negotiations… Conversations are going on.”
Whether or not the Rockies do make a push for Gallardo they seem to have a plan in place for their pitching staff. The plan revolves around talent, longevity and maintaining health. No matter what you think, Bridich seems to think that he has plenty of talent to work with on the mound.
