Rockies pitcher Kyle Freeland ‘turning into that true ace’ with improved changeup and slider | The Athletic ($)
There has been no sophomore slump for Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Freeland in 2018. If you were to ask his teammate, outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, he would say that Freeland is turning into a “true ace.” In a very detailed piece for The Athletic, Jack Etkin breaks down what has separated Freeland’s solid, though unspectacular rookie campaign from what has been an utterly dominant second season. What seems to have been the key for Freeland in 2018 was a suggestion from bullpen coach Darren Holmes and pitching coach Steve Foster. The idea was for Freeland “to jam his back foot into the ground and drag the toe when throwing a changeup.” This has resulted in a lower changeup velocity for Freeland, which works to deceive hitters as a further separation from his fastball velocity.
Trout still reigns in MVP poll; Arenado tops in NL | MLB.com
MLB.com’s writers were polled for their picks for leading Most Valuable Player candidates after the season’s first half. Mike Trout is currently the favorite in the American League, while the writers have chosen the Rockies’ own Nolan Arenado as the leading candidate in the National League.
BSN Rockies Podcast: Some great signs for Colorado heading into the second half | BSN Denver
In the latest episode of the BSN Rockies podcast, Drew Creasman highlights the events of the team’s recent series sweep of the Seattle Mariners, and what signs point to a successful second half of the season.
Colorado Rockies: What worked well before the All-Star break | Rox Pile
Rox Pile’s Ryan Ladika focuses on the positives of an up-and-down first half for the Rockies. The young starting rotation has been carrying the team during the month of July, whether it be Freeland, German Marquez, Tyler Anderson, or even Jon Gray, who was dominant in his outing after receiving a call-up from the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes. The bullpen and offense have also looked better over the past month. For a team to win 13 of their last 16 games, numerous parts need to be working cohesively, and that has been the case for the Rockies.
Back in race, Rockies face 2nd-half decisions | Rockies.com
The Rockies find themselves in a good spot for a run at contention entering the second half of the season. MLB.com’s Thomas Harding discusses the moves that could be made by the club leading up to the trade deadline.
Sarris: Ten players explain the adjustments that made them All-Stars | The Athletic ($)
In a fantastic piece for The Athletic, Eno Sarris features quotes and follow-up analysis on what ten All-Stars have done to take their game to the next level. One player featured is Arenado, who found himself lunging at pitches in his first couple seasons in the big leagues. Now that Arenado has laid off pitches outside the zone, he has used his legs more, and “his power exploded.”
Colorado Rockies: A look at All-Star snubs throughout their history | Rox Pile
Rox Pile’s Noah Yingling delves into a season-by-season look at Rockies’ All-Star snubs throughout the club’s 25-year history.
Charlie Blackmon believes aliens exist and that they don’t have thumbs | Cut4
The Cespedes BBQ crew decided to mix things up by asking various MLB All-Stars about the existence of aliens. Charlie Blackmon provided his thoughts.