PROJECTED ROCKIES ROTATION
Starting pitching was one of Colorado’s biggest disappointments a year ago. Starters combined to go 39- 66 with a 5.22 ERA ( second- worst in the majors), with 294 walks ( ninth- most) and 655 strikeouts ( fifth fewest). Here’s how the rotation stacks up:
• LHP Kyle Freeland ( 9- 11, 4.53 ERA): He was Colorado’s best starter last year and pitched well over his last nine outings, posting a 3.78 ERA. He’s working to get more depth on his slider and make his changeup more difficult for hitters to read.
• RHP German Marquez ( 9- 13, 4.95): The 2021 All- Star was bad last season, there’s no way around it. At Coors Field, he was 2- 6 with a 6.70 ERA and opponents hit .317. His velocity remains high ( 95.7 mph), but he needs better fastball command and must find a way to limit the damage with runners on base.
• RHP Jose Urena ( 3- 8, 5.14): Urena became a free agent but quickly rejoined the Rockies by signing a one- year contract with a $ 3.5 million guarantee and club option for 2024. He made 17 starts for Colorado last season. Inconsistency was Urena’s major problem, as witnessed by 38 walks vs. 60 strikeouts.
• RHP Ryan Feltner ( 4- 9, 5.83): The Ohio State product got burned in his baptism by fire. Through his first 21 career starts he’s 4- 10 with a 6.37 ERA. The Rockies’ lack of depth — a problem exacerbated by injuries — forced Feltner to make the leap sooner than the club intended.
• LHP Austin Gomber: A key part of the Nolan Arenado trade with
St. Louis in 2021, Gomber found himself in no man’s land last season. He was both a starter and a reliever, bouncing to the bullpen when the Rockies needed a southpaw reliever. For Gomber to be effective he’s got to be effective with his plus- curveball and his changeup. That’s because Gomber’s 91 mph fastball, a pitch he threw 40% of the time last season, got hammered at a .376 clip.
• RHP Antonio Senzatela ( 3- 7, 5.07): Senzatela, who suffered a torn ACL last August and underwent knee surgery, remains on track to join the rotation at some point in May. When Senzatela is pitching well, he gets a lot of groundball outs and limits walks. He doesn’t strike out many batters so he can’t afford to allow men to get on base. He’s 1- 12 in 21 road starts over the past two seasons.