Manny Corpas had one of those rare seasons when he produced better at the major league level than he did in the minors. Signed as a MiLB free agent to provide depth and just-in-caseveness, the former closer from the Rockies 2007 World Series team brought nostalgia and warm memories to the Colorado bullpen this season.
Assigned to Triple-A Colorado Springs in April, Corpas made 21 appearances for the Sky Sox in 2013, producing an ERA of 5.49 and a WHIP of 1.463. Called up over two separate stints to the Rockies, Corpas improved upon those number with a 4.54 ERA and 1.344 WHIP in 31 big league games. Manny's numbers at the major league level earned him a 0.3 rWAR and a 0.1 fWAR on the season.
The Panama native was recalled to the Rockies in September and outside of one bad outing in Arizona, where he gave up three earned runs in 0.2 innings, Manny was relatively solid. The right-hander finished off the season with nine scoreless appearances out of twelve opportunities in the month of September.
Overall Grade: C
Corpas is clearly on the downside of his career and is struggling to maintain the quality of pitch tools he displayed during his glory years. Fangraphs shows the velocity on Corpas' fastball has dipped from a high of 94 mph on average in 2007, to just 89 this season.
Inversely his once vaulted slider has increased a couple ticks in the past few years to a an average of 82 mph. The difference in speed between his fastball and slider are so close a player can now make easier contact on the same bat swing versus either pitch.
2014
Manny was waived after the season in order to make room for several young prospects, as well as free agents the front office is planning on signing to the 40 man roster. Corpas refused an assignment to Triple-A Colorado Springs, electing to pursue free agency in the pursuit of a big league contract instead. However, as stated to Thomas Harding of MLB.com, he hopes to return to the Rockies.
"I like it here and I know a lot of people here, and I live in Denver and it'll be better for me to get ready for next year, but we'll see," said Corpas
Manny is currently pitching for Margarita in the Venezuelan Winter League.