Rotation sensations
Rockies know their chances at a second straight postseason ride on mound
T wo weeks from Thursday, the Rockies open their 2018 season vs. the Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Righthander Jon Gray, aiming to evolve from a promising pitcher into an ace, will probably be on the mound.
Optimism, as it always is for the opener, will be running high.
A number of elements factor into whether the Rockies will be true contenders this season: Carlos Gonzalez’s return, repeat MVP-type seasons from Nolan Arenado and Charlie Blackmon, a decent season (at the very least) from Ian Desmond and a shutdown performance from new $52 million closer Wade Davis.
But none of that matters if the Rockies’ young, developing rotation doesn’t take another step forward. No one is more aware of that than manager Bud Black.
“I feel good about these guys, because they are a year older, and a year more mature, and they are talented,” Black said Wednesday. “So there should be improvement, but there is going to be an adjustment to make here. They aren’t going to sneak up on guys. They just can’t throw their gloves out there. They are going to have to pitch.”
It’s fair to say that prospective members of the starting rotation have had a so-so spring thus far. Gray, for instance, was torched for six runs on six hits in just 3L innings in his last outing (he was scheduled to pitch in Wednesday night’s late game against the Dodgers). But it should also be noted that during his bad outing, Gray was experimenting with a new twoseam changeup. The experiment blew up in his face.
Entering Wednesday night’s games, Rockies starters had a cumulative 6.45 ERA, but statistics from Cactus League games are notoriously misleading. For one thing, potential starters sometimes come in to pitch in the middle of games. For another, one bad inning can make a pitcher’s stats look awful.
For most of the spring, for instance, right-hander German Marquez has been Colorado’s most impressive starter. His fastball has sizzled and his curve has buckled knees. His changeup
has been a work in progress.
“I’ve worked really hard on the changeup,” Marquez said. “I need to be able to use that pitch in a game. I need that third pitch.”
Veteran right-hander Chad Bettis, the mentor of the group, has been impressed with what he’s seen so far.
“What I like is that everybody is working to find ways to better themselves, trying to develop that next pitch,” he said. “It’s not easy, but it pays off in the long run.
“I think this is an exciting group, and I think everybody is ready to take that next step. Up to this point, everyone I have seen has shown a lot of maturity.”
Following is a projection of the Rockies’ starting rotation, two weeks away from the season opener:
• Gray, 26, has been throwing his fastball 95-96 mph, but his fastball command has not been especially good. He’s looking to incorporate more curveballs into the mix and get a sharper break on his slider.
“There are some things in spring training you’re really trying to accomplish,” Black said. “A starting pitcher wants to feel good about his fastball command. And Jon isn’t there yet.”
• Left-hander Tyler Anderson, 28, is at his best when he’s moving his fastball in and out of the zone and setting up a very good changeup, but he has run hot and cold this spring. In Anderson’s most recent start, the Brewers sent eight men to the plate in the first inning.
” ‘Andy’ has to be down (in the zone) and up high enough. Today he was in that middle range,” Black said after Anderson’s last outing.
• Marquez, 23, has a chance to be a “top of the rotation” pitcher, according to Black. That probably won’t happen this season, but the organization is very high on him.
“My long-term visual is longtime starter, and successful in the big leagues,” Black said. “I can see it in his delivery and work habits. I see it in his aptitude. You combine all this with his stuff — mid-90s fastball, really good breaking ball, developing change — it definitely plays as a top-of-the-rotation pitcher.”
• Bettis, 28, coming back from last year’s bout with cancer, spent his early starts tinkering with his delivery, but he pitched well Monday against Arizona, tossing five strong innings. The good news: His fastball averaged 91-92 mph. The better news: He moved the ball in and out, and up and down.
“Honestly, I feel like there’s a lot more (velocity) in there, but today approaching it like a game, you try to find your times to add a little bit,” he said. “But it was more so keep everything under control. However hard it’s going to come out, it’s going to come out.”
• Left-hander Kyle Freeland, 24, and righty Antonio Senzatela, 23, are probably battling for the final spot in the rotation. At least right now.
Senzatela is looking to hone a slider to go with his formidable fastball, while he has worked on his delivery to create a simpler, more direct path to the plate. His goal is to cut down on walks, and he did Tuesday vs. Seattle, striking out five and walking none.
• Right-hander Jeff Hoffman, 25, is currently shelved with a sore shoulder and won’t make any more starts this spring, but he’ll be in the mix at some point. Right-hander Yency Almonte, 23, who has had an excellent camp, and lefty Sam Howard, 25, will begin at Triple-A, but they might be needed.