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Colorado Rockies: Where Do These 3 Pitchers Fit?

By Kevin Henry

Jun 23, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Eddie Butler (31) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Eddie Butler (31) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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Eddie Butler of the Colorado Rockies
Jun 23, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Eddie Butler (31) delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Eddie Butler

Record: 2-5

ERA: 6.96

High point of the season: On May 8 at San Francisco, Butler makes his second start of the season and allows just four hits in six shutout innings. He also strikes out six and walks just two as he earns his first win of the season.

Low point of the season: Against the Cincinnati Reds on June 2, Butler is absolutely shelled, surrendering eight runs and 11 hits in just four innings of work.

Analysis: Butler hasn’t pitched for the Rockies since June 28 when he gave up four earned runs in 3.1 innings against Toronto. In May, Butler was 2-2 with a 4.15 ERA and started five of six games. In June, he was atrocious with an 0-3 mark and 11.22 ERA when he started in four of five appearances.

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Butler hasn’t had the luxury of knowing this season if he was going to be a reliever or starter and that certainly hasn’t helped the 25-year-old right-hander. He’s also been the pitcher who seems to bounce back and forth between Triple-A and the Majors without being given a breather to hone his craft and work on his issues without the glare of the big league spotlight.

On July 8, Butler won in his start for the Albuquerque Isotopes, throwing five innings and allowing just three runs. This season, he’s now 3-0 with a 4.33 ERA in five outings.

Our opinion: Right now, Butler shouldn’t be in the mix for the Rockies. He’s had little success at the Major League level and his confidence is blasted each time he takes the mound … at this stage of his career. We’re not ready to give up on Butler just yet, but he has to show the ability to get things right in the minors before the Rockies think again about bringing him up … even in an emergency situation. Right now, there are other options who are a better fit than Butler.

Next: The Middle Reliever We've Been Missing

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