2015 Outlook: Rockies Starting Pitching
By Cody Voga
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Jordan Lyles
When Lyles was traded to the Rockies (along with Brandon Barnes) for Dexter Fowler, he was thought of as a long-term project. He squashed those thoughts and has been a mainstay in the Rockies rotation throughout the season. Most ground-ball pitchers don’t succeed at Coors Field, but Lyles has found a way to get batters out in 2014.
Through 91 innings this season, Lyles has only allowed 85 hits. For a player who pitches to contact, that is a statistic that cannot go unnoticed. The former first-round pick has been a nuisance to the Rockies long-term plans – and that’s a good thing. Lyles has developed far quicker than anybody could’ve anticipated and will be in the mix for a great 2015.