Colorado Rockies Rundown: Catchers, Chris Rusin, And Jorge De La Rosa

Aug 16, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher C. Rusin (52) reacts to the win over the San Diego Padres at Coors Field. The Rockies won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Rusin, the new Jorge De La Rosa?

(via Purple Row)

I really like this piece by Purple Row’s Jordan Freemyer about Chris Rusin, and whether he can become the Colorado Rockies’ next Jorge De La Rosa.

Freemyer was criticized in the comments over on PR because Rusin (obviously) doesn’t have the stuff that De La Rosa does, and instead will live on the big league fringes for his career. That’s true; Rusin does not throw a 93 mph fastball, or have an arsenal like De La Rosa’s curve, slider, and split/change, so the comparison in terms of natural, raw stuff is probably fairly invalid.

[ Related: Chris Rusin is a tough guy proving himself in a tough situation ]

But I do like the comparison for one reason: both Rusin and De La Rosa are lefties whom the Rockies found at pivotal points in their careers; just a few years under 30 years old, well past the time of being a prospect, and yet dumped by previous teams for little return (Ramon Ramirez, in De La Rosa’s trade) or absolutely nothing (waiver, as was the case with Rusin).

The Rockies have to buy low on pitching based on where they play and who would (not) want to come to Denver of their own free will through free agency. Thus, it’s critical the Rockies buy smart when they buy low on pitching. With Jorge De La Rosa, the club certainly did that (and probably to a level even better than they ever expected). With Chris Rusin, well, perhaps something similar will hold true.

Next: Just how good *IS* Jorge De La Rosa?