Chuck Nazty is with the Sky Sox, for now. Image: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

When he was healthy last season, Christian Friedrich looked like he was ready for a Major League rotation. He did struggle mightily at home, but one still cannot help but wonder if a healthy spring would have equaled a spot in the rotation for the lefty. In the minor leagues Friedrich needs to continue to develop and show he can still healthy. Joining him will be Tyler Chatwood and Josh Outman, two pitchers acquired in trades one year ago. For Chatwood this seems to be a concession that he was not ready last year. The Rockies traded for him to be a starter and he needs to keep refining himself into one. Finally there is Outman, who seemed to be penciled into a spot in the bullpen from the start this spring. It will be interesting to see if his minor league time is in the interest of developing him as a starter or as a left-handed specialist out of the bullpen. With the carnival that is maintaining a pitching staff, Outman will make an appearance with the Rockies sooner rather than later once the season starts.

The Rockies also sent outfielder Charlie Blackmon down, despite a productive spring. The problem, once again, was Blackmon’s health. He is also the victim of circumstance, as the Rockies are already struggling to find playing time for a 5th outfielder with Eric Young Jr.; there simply isn’t a spot for Blackmon. For now the man they call ChuckNazty will have to wait once again for an opportunity with the big league club.

Here are the rest of the players sent down Sunday: Charlie Culberson, Rob Scahill, Ben Paulsen, Gustavo Molina, and Corey Dickerson. Of that group, Culberson probably joins Blackmon as the players most likely to see a call-up this year. For either of them to be up right away would take an injury, so in that sense, here is hoping we do not see them in the purple pinstripes for a little while.

One long week left until Opening Day 2013…

As far as the Rockies are concerned, things were so much better then. The season was not hopeless. I dared to get my hopes up that this team might be OK this season, and therefore I was excited about the possibilities for former first round pick Christian Friedrich. On that night the left handed starter threw 7 shutout innings in a 4-0 victory. The grittiness with which Friedrich approaches the game, from the way he pitches to the way he stares in for his signs to the way he walks off the mound, came through the static of the radio in my Ford Fusion as I navigated the highways of Wyoming and South Dakota. I thought to myself…

…this is the kind of pitcher the Rockies need!

Friedrich will be an important name for the Rockies in 2013. Image: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Friedrich’s season eventually succumbed to the same disappointments of the Rockies’ season as a whole. In a campaign shortened by a stress fracture in his lower back, Friedrich went 5-8 with a 6.17 ERA. Most disappointing was his performance at home. His Coors Field ERA was 8.92; his Coors Field WHIP was 1.881; 10 of the 14 home runs he surrendered this season sailed out of Coors Field.

Still, as we sound the panic alarms about the starting rotation in 2013, we ought to remember the positive signs we saw from Friedrich. It is one thing to have first round talent, and he showed signs that the Rockies were right to think that he has that. It is another thing to have the right approach to the game. Christian Friedrich showed glimpses of a guy who has the thick skin and the tough mentality to pitch effectively in a Major League rotation.

It is pure speculation from the perspective from which I watch and cover the Rockies, but I do not think Friedrich’s issues at home are the result of a mental block. I think he will improve his results at Coors Field, and any measure of improvement in that regard should make him a solid contributor in the middle of the Colorado rotation.

Where should Friedrich be in 2013? With the Colorado Rockies in the #3 or #4 spot in the starting rotation.

Where will Friedrich be in 2013? With the Colorado Rockies, and his rotation spot depends on how he performs in the Spring Training competition.