Scott Oberg: What He Brings to the Colorado Rockies

When the Colorado Rockies announced that they had recalled right-handed pitcher Scott Oberg from Triple-A Albuquerque on July 23, it was met with much shrugging of shoulders around the Rocky Mountain region. After all, Oberg is a pitcher who has not fared well in his previous moments with the Rockies. So why believe that this time is any different? Well, there are signs of hope.

Before being recalled on Saturday, the 26-year-old Oberg had made nine appearances for the Rockies this season with no decisions and a 4.05 ERA (allowing six earned runs in 13.1 innings pitched) with 14 hits, five walks and eight strikeouts. It’s not great, but it’s also better than Oberg did in his rookie season when we went 3-4 with a 5.09 ERA last year in 64 appearances.

Last year, the Rockies had to go with Oberg because of a lack of options out of the pen. This year, with the return of Adam Ottavino and the addition of Jordan Lyles and Jason Motte, there are more options.

He also fills a “long short relief” role for the Rockies that has been carried in recent times for Gonzalez Germen. Prior to rejoining Colorado, Oberg had pitched a career-high two innings in each of his previous four appearances. In a bullpen where multiple relievers have been given shorter stints in games this year, Oberg allows the Rockies to go long with one arm.

In his latest stint with the Rockies, Oberg has pitched a total of two scoreless innings in two outings against the Braves, allowing just two hits.

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Take away back-to-back outings in May where he was rocked for two runs in two innings by the Arizona Diamondbacks and three runs in two frames against the St. Louis Cardinals and Oberg has allowed one run in 11.1 innings out of the Colorado bullpen.

So the question is, where does Oberg fit into the Rockies bullpen scheme?

For now, it appears that Lyles, Germen and Oberg have been designated as the long relievers in Colorado’s bullpen. While it’s not exactly the Three Horsemen of the Apocalypse, it is better than earlier in the season when Christian Bergman was hurt, Lyles was still starting (and struggling mightily), and the Rockies were trying to see if Yohan Flande could be “the guy” in that role.

With Oberg in the mix, here’s how the roles of the Colorado bullpen seemingly break down at the moment…

Jordan Lyles — Long relief

Gonzalez Germen — Extended short relief

Scott Oberg — Extended short relief

Boone Logan — Specialized short relief (left-handed batters)

Jake McGee — Short relief

Jason Motte — Short relief

Adam Ottavino — Short relief with some save opportunities

Carlos Estevez — Closer with majority of save opportunities

Oberg impressed in 27 games with Albuquerque this season, logging a 1-0 record with a 2.43 ERA (eight earned runs in 29.2 innings). In those 29.2 innings, he allowed 16 hits and 11 walks while striking out 36 batters. The numbers are solid and show why Colorado was willing to take the chance to bring him back to Coors Field.

Barring a trade that might involve Jorge De La Rosa or Boone Logan, another pitching decision will need to be made within the next few days. Oberg was brought up to replace Chad Qualls, who went on the disabled list with colitis. When Qualls returns, if no trades are made, it will be a decision between Germen and Oberg who leaves the pen.

Also, lurking in Albuquerque is Bergman, who is 1-2 with a 4.84 ERA in five starts with the Isotopes. The Rockies’ long reliever and spot starter until going down with an injury on May 19, Bergman was apparently not needed as much in Denver as Oberg. In fact, starting may be more of a factor for Bergman in the future, helping cement Oberg’s place in the bullpen.

Next: Updates from Colorado's Farm Teams

When Oberg was torched twice in May, one Rockies fan asked, “Isn’t there someone better we can bring up?” Now in late July, Colorado is once again putting its faith in Oberg’s ability. So far, he’s proving it to be a worthwhile gamble.