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Colorado Rockies: Ranking the 40-Man Roster: 36-31

By Nolan Lees

Aug 21, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; General view of the entrance to the Coors Field clubhouse during the first inning of the game between the Chicago Cubs against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Cubs 11-4. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 21, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; General view of the entrance to the Coors Field clubhouse during the first inning of the game between the Chicago Cubs against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Cubs 11-4. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 29, 2016; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies relief pitcher
Feb 29, 2016; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Colorado Rockies relief pitcher /

Number 34

Sam Moll: Left Handed Pitcher Points: 201 Highest Rank: 31 Lowest Rank: 38

Moll is a 25-year-old lefty reliever out of the state of Tennessee. A third round pick of the Rockies from the University of Memphis in 2013, Moll started six games in his first professional season before being converted into a full-time reliever.

After a slow start to his career that saw him spend two full seasons in Low-A Ball, Moll started figuring things out in 2015. Moll put up good numbers in High-A Modesto before being promoted to Double-A, where he was all but unhittable. When the season ended, the Rockies rewarded Moll with a trip to the prestigious Arizona Fall League.

However, 2016 didn’t go nearly as smoothly for Moll. Pitching for Triple-A Albuquerque, his ERA ballooned up to 4.94. Perhaps more worrisome, Moll walked more hitters than ever before (career-high 3.6 BB/9) while simultaneously striking out fewer (career-low 7.4 K/9). That’s a bad combination for a pitcher looking to crack the big leagues.

That being said, Moll may have the clearest path to a spot on the big league roster out of anyone in this part of the countdown. The Rockies left-handed relief options are sparse: Mike Dunn and Jake McGee are the only proven later-inning options, and while I personally believe Chris Rusin is underrated, Colorado seems content using him as a long reliever/emergency starter.

Moll has significant right-left splits: RHB hit .320 against him in 2016, but lefties hit just .246. In a best-case scenario, he could become a LOOGY for the Rockies, potentially as soon as this season if he shows improvement in his second stint in Triple-A.

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