The 100 Greatest Colorado Rockies: No. 33 Tyler Chatwood

We continue our look at the top 100 Colorado Rockies of all time in this article. Here, we look at No. 33 on our list, Tyler Chatwood.

Admittedly the timing of this story isn’t ideal after Chatwood didn’t have a great start in his last outing giving up five runs in five innings against the Washington Nationals. He was plagued by walks in a game the Rockies lost 11-4.

But the game paralleled Chatwood’s career arc very well. He pitched the best game of his career (one of the best starts in Rockies history) tossing a near perfect complete game against the Giants in San Francisco on Easter 2017. He is like Dr. Jekyl on the road and Mr. Hyde at home.

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Either way Chatwood’s numbers give him a great shot at becoming on of the top-five pitchers in Rockies history. If he would have pitched any considerable innings in 2014 and 2015 after having Tommy John surgery, he might already be there. Chatty didn’t always have this potential though. Just ask the Los Angeles Angels.

After getting drafted by the Angels in the second round in 2008 and made his debut in 2011. Command issues persisted most of the season as he accumulated a 4.75 ERA and a 6-11 record. He became expendable and was traded for a franchise player in Chris Ianneta.

Chatwood started in the Rockies bullpen and still struggled with ERA in his first year in Denver. He had a 5.43 ERA which is the highest of his career. One of Chatwood’s best attributes though is his work ethic. He worked his way up into the Rockies rotation.

Patrick Saunders wrote a story about Chatwood’s work ethic in spring training. Chatwood didn’t leave the diamond for a rare day off. In 2016 Chatwood pitched one of his best seasons. This wasn’t always guaranteed because coming back from Tommy John surgery is never easy. No matter how much an athlete has healed.

He became a leader amongst the pitching staff in 2016 though by going 12-9 with an outstanding 3.87 ERA in a 158 innings. He is only behind Jon Gray in the rotation. The only thing that holding him back from that top spot is his home and road splits. He went 8-1 with a 1.69 ERA on the road in 2016. At home last season, he had a 4-8 record with a 6.12 ERA.

Next: Colorado Rockies Can’t Get the Pitcher Out in Series Loss Against Nationals

Only 11 Rockies pitchers have more wins above replacement than Chatwood’s 7.5. If he is able to pitch even remotely close at home the way he does on the road, he will undeniably become one of the greatest Rockies pitchers of all time.

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