We at BSN Denver are running a series where we rank how valuable each of the Colorado Rockies’ 51 players was to the team in 2015. Value was calculated by statistics, viewing, and how memorable each player’s contributions were. The rankings will be from last to first, you may view the full rankings (here)
Player: Jordan Lyles
Stats: 10 G, 49.0 IP, 2-5, 5.14 ERA, 1.490 WHIP, 3.79 FIP, 91 ERA+, 5.5 K/9, 3.5 BB/9, .03 WAR
Big Moment: April 23, the Colorado Rockies are less than a month into the season and still have hope for the 2015 year. They sit at 8-7, 3rd in the NL West looking to win the series vs. the San Diego Padres after splitting the first two games. Lyles was off to a good start, going at least 6 innings in each of his previous three starts. In his best start of the season, he goes 6.2 innings, striking out four while walking two and allowing one run. The Rockies win, giving them their ninth victory of the season and keeping their 2015 playoff hopes alive.
Season Recap: The 25-year old right-hander began his second season with the Colorado Rockies after being acquired in a trade with the Houston Astros for Dexter Fowler. He got off to a solid start in April, winning two of his five starts, and pitching at least 6 innings in those first four games. May was a little rough for Lyles as he saw his ERA jump two points and did not win a start the entire month. Things reached a “breaking point” on May 31st when Lyles suffered a season ending toe injury.
What’s Ahead: Jordan Lyles is rehabbing from medial collateral ligament surgery on his left toe and hopes to be fully healthy for the start of spring training. When the Rockies acquired Lyles in the offseason of 2013, they envisioned him as a long term starter, and injuries have ultimately derailed those intentions. He has shown flashes of promise in his tenure with the Rockies but he needs to remain healthy and become more consistent to be part of the organizations future plans. If healthy, Lyles could be a viable contributor to the Rockies starting rotation in 2016.
