Early Guesses At The Colorado Rockies’ 2016 Starting Rotation

Sep 24, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies pitcher T. Chatwood (32) reacts after hitting Boston Red Sox left fielder D. Nava (29) with a pitch during the first inning at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Eddie Butler

The way that Butler has thrown this season, I’m sorry to say he’s on the “so you’re saying there’s a chance” level, and not one above this with Gray, Bettis, and Rusin.

I can’t foresee Butler not spending some more time in AAA to start next year unless he develops an insane amount of talent in one winter (possible, I suppose, but relatively unlikely).

Then again, if everybody else is terrible, or if he has a Chad Bettis-type rejuvenation in his third time around int he big leagues, things could change very quickly in Butler’s favor.

Tyler Chatwood

The only reason I put Chatwood here, rather than one level above, is because we haven’t seen him pitch for a long time. The Rockies may very well know more about Chatwood than they’re saying (I mean, I would hope…) and he may very well be nearly a lock to be in the rotation in 2016.

But up to now, there’s been relatively little about how he’s returned from Tommy John surgery, and until we see him throw a good bit and get tested in game situations, it’s difficult to pencil him in any higher in the rotation.

That being said, good Chatwood — the one we saw two years ago before the injury — would be a very welcome addition to the starting staff.

Next: The Dark Horses