Tyler Anderson deserves Cy Young consideration

Weiss: Anderson's success not limited to Coors | MLB.com

With each start the legend of Tyler Anderson grows. Thought to be a bust as recently as this offseason by many due to injuries, Anderson is now having one of the best seasons by a Rockies starting pitcher ever.

After six minor league (ostensibly rehab) starts, Tyler made his major league debut on June 12 against the Padres, throwing 6 ¹⁄₃ innings in the Rockies victory. Since then he has put up a quality start (at least 6 IP with 3 ER or fewer) in 62.5% of his starts, seventh best in Rockies history. His raw ERA of 3.35 is fifth best among Rockies who made at least 10 starts.

But that’s not what puts Anderson’s season into the upper echelon of Rockies pitchers. It’s his 150 ERA+ (according to Baseball-Reference), which ranks as third best in franchise history. Who is he behind? Marvin Freeman, who in the strike-shortened 1994 season had a 179 ERA+ and finished fourth in Cy Young voting, and Ubaldo Jiminez in 2010 (161 ERA+, third in Cy Young). If he had enough innings to qualify for the ERA title, he would be fifth in MLB in Baseball-Reference’s ERA+ and he would be ninth in baseball with his 68 ERA-, according to Fangraphs.

I’m not saying Anderson deserves the National League Cy Young, but I am saying he deserves some votes. If you’re like me, September is usually the time you lament the fact that the sun is setting on another MLB season. I usually find myself regretting not watching more baseball, regardless of how much I had already watched all season. After missing my fair share of Tyler Anderson starts, he will be appointment viewing for the rest of the season to see if he can keep climbing the franchise leaderboard.

Eddie Butler among five players Rockies promote from Triple-A Albuquerque | Denver Post

If you thought September roster expansions were going to go by quietly, the Rockies answered your fears by making a number of call-ups, including some which prompted 40-man roster moves.

German Marquez, Eddie Butler, and Dustin Garneau were somewhat expected as call ups, considering they were already on the 40-man. However, the Rockies were forced to designate Ben Paulsen and Rafael Ynoa for assignment in order to make room for infielder Pat Valaika and “utility” first baseman/outfielder Jordan Patterson. Nick Kosmider has reactions from Valaika and Patterson, as well as manager Walt Weiss, that are worth reading.

Minor League All-Star Team 2016 | Baseball America

David Dahl was named to Baseball America’s All-Star team thanks to his .314/.394/.569 line across two levels this season. Recent call-up German Marquez was named a Second-Team All-Star by Baseball America. This just comes as further confirmation of what we already knew: these guys are good.

MLB Rookie Report: Raimel Tapia, OF, Colorado Rockies | Minor League Ball

John Sickels of Minor League Ball has a brief breakdown of Raimel Tapia as a big league hitter. He does not use the word “preternatural” (though it’s clearly implied).

CarGo earns Clemente nomination for charitable work | MLB.com

Carlos Gonzalez was named the Rockies nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award for his charitable contributions in Denver and in his native Venezuela. The Roberto Clemente Award, named for the former Pirates slugger and Puerto Rican barrier-breaker, is awarded every year to “a player who best represents the game of Baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.” Each club nominates one player and the winner is announced during the World Series.

If you’ve been following baseball for more than a minute you know the story and contribution of Jackie Robinson; this is thanks, in large part, to MLB instituting Jackie Robinson Day to commemorate his contribution to the game and to our society. I wish people recognized both the extreme talent and the philanthropic heart of Roberto Clemente in the same way. Do yourself a favor and spend a little time today—Roberto Clemente Day in MLB—on Clemente’s Baseball Reference, Wikipedia, and SABR Bio page.

Thanks to the Baseball Reference Play Index for all franchise leaderboards