Spring Training Notebook: Rolison rebounds despite dose of bad luck in 2021

Ryan Rolison fully expected to make his debut with the Colorado Rockies following a solid showing at the alternate site during the summer of 2020 that served as a pseudo Double-A experience.

As if all the havoc that was wreaked on minor leaguers because of the pandemic wasn’t bad enough, then 2021 happened to Rolison.

“It was a very frustrating year,” the 2018 1st round pick said of the previous 12 months. “I started off the year throwing the ball really well, getting promoted to Triple-A. Struggled in my debut in Triple-A and kind of pitched better in my next two outings… And then going down with appendicitis and then a fractured hand, two injuries I can’t really control. Kind of freak accidents.”

Because of all that misfortune, the 24-year-old has just 231.2 innings pitched over the last four seasons.

Once his throwing hand healed, the left-hander packed his bags for the Dominican Republic in search of adding innings to the ledger.

Alongside Triple-A catcher Brian Serven, Rolison struck out 24 batters in 20.1 innings with Tigres del Licey.

“Everything’s about winning over there,” Serven explained of the Dominican Winter League. “There is no learning curve when you get there. When you get there, you play to win. Right from the beginning.”

Despite the importance of the team performance over more personal endeavors, Rolison’s 3.15 ERA was valued in Licey’s third-place finish. 

Ole Miss product struggled in his Cactus League debut Monday, going just one inning and giving up four runs against a San Diego Padres that ran out most of their regular starters. 

Manager Bud Black thinks Rolison could contend for a role as the team’s long reliever alongside Ashton Goudeau and fellow southpaw Ty Blach. Regardless of that single game performance, he should still get the opportunity with more than two weeks left of camp.

Sunday, 4-2 vs. Chicago (AL), loss

Ryan Feltner gave up a run following an early double by Luis Robert, but bounced back to have a nice two-inning outing in his first game of the season.

Colorado’s bats were working for them – they outhit the White Sox 11-8 – yet some poor luck on the base paths wiped away several scoring opportunities. 

José Iglesias doubled for his first hit with the Rockies and showed some flair defensively with a no-look throw to second base on a force out. 

Charlie Blackmon served as the leadoff hitter for this contest only a day after Black said the four-time All-Star has been mentioned as a candidate to take up his old spot on a permanent basis.  

Reliever Justin Lawrence, Zach Lee and Nate Griep each tossed scoreless innings.

Monday, 8-4 @ San Diego, Win

Only Garrett Hampson and Dom Nuñez made the 30-minute trek to Peoria amongst players expected to challenge for a roster spot on Opening Day. Both men came through on their quest to record a hit with Hampson hammering a leadoff double off Yu Darvish.

After going down 4-0 in the first, the next generation of Rockies made a push to tie it with four runs in the sixth. 

Ezequiel Tovar led the charge with a 3-for-3 performance that included his first home run of the Spring. Bret Boswell continued to flash some power with a two-run triple hit in a pair with a triple in the eighth that helped cap the victory.

The final eight innings for the Friars produced next to nothing as six Rockies relievers recorded scoreless performances, including Noah Davis and Lucas Gilbreath.