Colorado Rockies: Where Do These 3 Pitchers Fit?

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Jun 28, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; General view of the game clock at Coors Field as the game ends between the Toronto Blue Jays against the Colorado Rockies. The Blue Jays defeated the Rockies 14-9. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Yesterday, we took a look at the second-half rotation that has been announced by the Colorado Rockies. Manager Walt Weiss went as far as to say it was his best rotation since he was hired as Colorado’s manager.

Heading into the All-Star break, Colorado’s starters had posted a 5.07 ERA in the team’s first 88 games. That mark ranks the Rockies 27th out of Major League Baseball’s 30 teams. As a point of comparison, the Chicago Cubs lead the league with a 3.09 ERA while the Cincinnati Reds are dead last with a 5.29 ERA.

With Tyler Anderson, Chad Bettis, Tyler Chatwood, Jorge De La Rosa, and Jon Gray picked as the starters for the second-half of the season, where does that leave three other pitchers who have either started or could start at some point during the rest of the campaign? That’s what we’ll dive into with this article.

So where do the Rockies go from here and what does the rest of the season hold for these three pitchers in question? Let’s find out…

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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.

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Christian Bergman

Record: 1-3

ERA: 5.89

High point of the season: In a spot start against the Chicago Cubs on April 16, Bergman gives up just two runs in five innings against the high-powered Chicago offense.

Low point of the season: Bergman’s first appearance of the season was a disaster, surrendering four hits and four runs in just one inning on April 5 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Analysis: Since straining an oblique muscle against the St. Louis Cardinals on May 19, Bergman hasn’t seen the mound for the Rockies. It’s been almost two months and no one on the staff could’ve realized at the time how much Bergman would be missed.

When he was injured, Bergman was firmly in place as Colorado’s long relief man. He knew his role and everyone in the organization knew that if a starter was struggling early, Bergman could be called upon to come in. The classic “tweener,” Bergman could start or come in in relief for Colorado. That’s a great piece to have on your staff.

However, when Bergman left with his injury, things fell apart when it came to middle relief. No one seemed to be able to fill Bergman’s role, with a host of pitchers, including Jordan Lyles, Eddie Butler, and even Yohan Flande, trying. None fit the mold.

Our opinion: Bergman is now off the disabled list and the Rockies have sent him to Triple-A. It won’t be long before he’s back in the bullpen in his middle relief role, and that will be a welcome sight.

So who will be out when Bergman comes back? Don’t be surprised if the Rockies make a trade at the deadline that might move a veteran reliever who’s currently in the bullpen, making way for Bergman’s return.

Next: What About Jordan Lyles?

Jordan Lyles

Record: 2-2

ERA: 6.98

High point of the season: On April 18 at Cincinnati, Lyles had by far his best outing of the season, throwing seven innings and giving up just four hits and one run that wasn’t earned.

Low point of the season: In a spot start on May 23 (and his only appearance for the Rockies of the month), Lyles gives up six runs (four earned) in 2.1 innings of work in a postponed game at Pittsburgh. Lyles also hit Pittsburgh pitcher Ryan Vogelsong in the head, forcing him to be carted off the field in one of the more horrific moments of the MLB season.

Analysis: After two brutal months to open the season, Lyles seems to have somewhat settled into his role in the bullpen. A starter throughout his career, Lyles has improved his ERA tremendously in June and July, notching numbers of 4.76 and 2.25, respectively.