The Colorado Rockies can't have nice things

Adam Ottavino had a legitimate chance to have the best single season of any closer in Colorado Rockies history.

His combination of velocity, stuff and knowledge of the game -- his coaches and teammates call him "Jeeves" because, in addition to his well-known tendency to study advanced metrics and apply them to his game, he can on command recite every Cy Young Award winner dating back to 1969 -- made him a sure bet to have a historic year at 20th and Blake. He was well on his way there, striking out 13 batters and allowing only six baserunners in 10⅓ scoreless innings, but something wasn't right in his last outing against the San Francisco Giants two weekends ago.

After landing on the disabled list with triceps inflammation, an MRI revealed that the injury extended down to his elbow. A week later, Ottavino appears headed for Tommy John surgery.

Here's some crucial reading material on the subject:

Ottavino likely to have Tommy John surgery | rockies.com
John Axford will take over as Rockies closer while Ottavino sees Dr. James Andrews for a second opinion on his right elbow, writes Thomas Harding. Ottavino's chances of surgery are about "99 percent," a source within the organization told Purple Row.

Ottavino upbeat about likely elbow surgery | rockies.com
Ottavino has a good attitude about his impending surgery, writes Tracy Ringolsby. As he should; Ottavino doesn't need to look any further than his own clubhouse to find successful Tommy John surgery recovery stories (Rafael Betancourt, Jorge De La Rosa and John Axford).

"I was a lot more scared years ago, when I thought I might have to have shoulder surgery, knowing that that's pretty much a death sentence," Ottavino said. "This is not as much of a death sentence. I can look on our team, and lots of pitchers I've played with, [like] Adam Wainwright."

"Hopefully, I'll be the next to be a success, come back and be myself again."

Rockies' Adam Ottavino facing Tommy John surgery on right elbow - The Denver Post
Someone who knows a little something about having it all taken away from you when things are going their absolute best chimed in on Ottavino's situation. From Nick Groke's article:

"It just goes to show how weird this game is," shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said. "You can be on top of your game like Adam was. He was really becoming a force, somebody we wanted to see in the game. And then something happens."

Other links

Hochman: Rockies set to build around Nolan Arenado - The Denver Post
Todd Helton retired two years ago. Troy Tulowitzki could be a former Rockie soon at the rate things are going. That means the next guy in line to be the face of the franchise is Nolan Arenado. He's ready for that role, writes Benjamin Hochman.

Rockies Mailbag: Jon Gray lacks consistency and confidence - The Denver Post
Patrick Saunders touches on Gray's struggles, whether members of the Rockies' front office read stories critical of the team (they absolutely do), and if the Rockies would one day consider moving in the fences at Coors Field. Saunders' mailbags have been a good read this year. Check it out.

Baseball Prospectus | Minor League Update: Games of Monday, May 4, 2015
Jeff Moore, on Rockies outfield prospect Raimel Tapia:

Minor-league stats have to be taken with enormous grains of salt, but certain things stand out, like when one guy consistently hits well over .300 at every level. Tapia isn’t old for his level, he’s not an over-powering hitter that pitchers fear and avoid, and while he runs well, this isn’t a situation of a player’s numbers getting juiced because of crazy BABIP or fluky hits. Tapia simply hits his way on, and he does it as frequently as anyone. As a great scout once told me, "hitters hit." Tapia simply hits.

Baseball Prospectus | Prospect Feature
Kyle Parker, now considered a fringe prospect, has a ceiling of a "platoon masher," not unlike a Jonny Gomes or Jeff Baker, per BPro. The problem with that is Parker has actually hit righties a bit better than lefties in his minor league career. Then again, he's not hitting much of anything this year; the 2010 first-round pick is hitting .165/.258/.278 in 91 plate appearances for Triple-A Albuquerque.

Projection vs. Performance: Taking Stock After April | Rockies Zingers Colorado Rockies Baseball
Sarah Ford reviews the Rockies' performance in the first month of the season. DJ LeMahieu and Nick Hundley make the surprises list, while a pair of stars show up on the wrong end of the spectrum.

Colorado Rockies 2015 Crystal Ball: Rex Brothers - Rox Pile
Bobby DeMuro takes a look at best- and worst-case scenarios for Brothers, who is currently trying to find his way at Triple-A Albuquerque.