How the Rockies’ rotation has become one of MLB’s best | Mile High Sports
As we get to a third of the way through a 60-game season, the Rockies pitching rotation is proving to be one of the best in baseball. Mile High Sports’ Bryan Kilpatrick explains how the Rockies rotation has been thriving, but not by just throwing strikes.
The Rockies rotation has found success in putting the ball in play. All of the Rockies’ top four starters—Germán Márquez, Jon Gray, Kyle Freeland, and Antonio Senzatela—rank in the top 16 in baseball in batted ball events.
In his successful 2017 and 2018 campaigns, Freeland allowed opposing hitters to barrel the ball just 3.7 and 4.5 percent of the time, respectively. A balance of pitches has also been in Freeland’s favor. He’s only throwing his fastball 30 percent of the time, which is down from 52 percent in 2019. He’s also introduces a curveball with good velocity to his rotation as well.
The rest of the Rockies pitching staff has done a great job at limiting barrels as well. The only other starting rotations of the Cubs and Orioles have yielded a lower percentage of barreled pitches.
The Rockies starting rotation will be tested when they play the Dodgers’ and Padres’ who are two of the top-10 offenses later this month. As long as the rotation continues to put the ball in play, and let opposing hitters hit the ball, the post season is looking really good for the Rockies.
Manager Bud Black provided a status updating on No. 3 catcher Elias Diaz on Tuesday before the team’s game in Houston that Diaz had been sent home due to violating team protocols. The Denver Post’s Patrick Saunders gives us the update.
Black would not specify the exact reasons, but had this to say:
“There was a violation that occurred and we felt that Elias had to be away from the team,” Black said, adding that the team has continued its testing for the virus.
Other updates from Black:
- Colorado’s top prospect, Brendan Rogers is on the taxi squad and with the ballclub in Houston. “He’ll be with us on the flight back to Denver, and we’re making decisions daily on our roster,” Black said.
- Former starter-turned-reliever Jeff Hoffman is now a candidate for a role as a late-game reliever.
- Chi Chi Gonzalez, who has been out because of right biceps tendinitis, threw a bullpen at Coors Field Monday.
Rockies “dodge bullet,” as Carlos Estevez escapes broken right hand | The Denver Post
The Rockies dodged a bullet on Sunday when Carlos Estevez’s X-rays of his right hand came back negative for a break. The Denver Post’s Patrick Saunder’s explains what the club went through during the waiting game.
“He was able to make a fist and he was able to have grip strength, but it was swollen yesterday,” Black said.
Estevez is expected to be the team’s closer moving forward. He has posted a 3.38 ERA in 11 games (10 2/3 innings) with eight strikeouts and three walks.
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