Colorado Rockies: Ranking the 40-Man Roster: 16-20

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Aug 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies relief pitcher /

Number 20

Carlos Estevez: Relief Pitcher Points: 124 Highest Rank: 14 Lowest: 28

Carlos Estevez is one of the most outgoing players in the Rockies clubhouse. His braces are always on full display. That is because he always seems to be smiling.

Everything changed for Estevez when he was called up at the end of April last season. Estevez is from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He signed with the team in 2011 when he was 18. In 2015 Estevez spent time in Modesto and New Britain. He was 5-3 with a 3.40 ERA with 18 saves in 23 chances.

That performance and his high 90s fastball landed him on the Rockies 40-man roster in 2016 and he made his debut at the end of April. Estevez started the season pitching in the seventh and eighth inning against the Dodgers. He pitched two hitless and scoreless innings.

Estevez was then promoted as closer when Jake McGee went on the disabled list. Estevez did not shine in this role going 3-7 with a 5.24 ERA and 11 saves. At only 23 Estevez has the potential to become a integral and dominating piece of this bullpen. With the struggles of the bullpen last season Estevez was hurried to the closers role. Pitching in the seventh or eighth innings will give him the opportunity he deserves to develop. That should give everybody something to smile about in 2017.

Sep 4, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies first baseman /

Number 19

Gerardo Parra: Outfielder Points: 123 Highest Rank: 19 Lowest Rank: 22

Colorado Rockies

Gerardo Parra will receive a considerable amount of playing time this season, not because of his 2016 performance but because of how much the Rockies still owe him. He signed a three-year contract in the 2015 offseason. Based on his play in Milwaukee he deserved that contract. He was then traded to the Orioles where he earned a -1.1 WAR.

That did not deter the Rockies signing Parra who essentially took over for Corey Dickerson in left field. Parra slashed .253/.271/.399 in 2016. It was easily the worst season of his career. He had a -2.8 WAR in 2016 which is among the lowest in the Majors among regular position players.

The ankle injury he suffered in June did not help his chances at returning to his productive self. Moving him to first after Mark Reynolds went down didn’t help keep continuity in Parra’s game either.

The Rockies should play Parra in the outfield to see what he has left. He deserves that opportunity just from his clubhouse presence alone. There is a reason the team wore Parra for President t-shirts all season. If he is to get re-elected for another term, he must show more patience at the plate. The amount of money he is making should give him more opportunities to return to the electric presence he has brought in the past.

May 27, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Jake McGee (51) delivers a pitch in the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Giants 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Number 18

Jake McGee: Relief Pitcher Points: 106 Highest Rank: 16 Lowest Rank: 21

On paper trading for Jake McGee was the move the Rockies needed to bolster their bullpen. On diamond it was a different story. McGee became the Rays closer towards the end of 2014. He had elbow surgery that offseason and then had surgery for a torn meniscus near the end of 2015.

With the depth the Rockies always seem to have in the outfield, Corey Dickerson became expendable and he was traded for German Marquez at the top of 2016. It seemed like a lot to give up but pitching is always welcome in Colorado.

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Both marquees of the trade had their struggles in 2016. Dickerson had his most productive days in Colorado in 2014 but he improved in 2016 with Tampa Bay from his 2015 performance.

McGee was anything but marquee in 2016. He started the season as closer but went on the DL with left knee inflammation. Carlos Estevez took over as closer and he never really earned back the spot once Adam Ottavino came back from Tommy John surgery.

McGee avoided arbitration this offseason as the Rockies gave him a $5.9 million contract for 2017. That seems a lot for what seems to be no more than a setup man now that Greg Holland is in town and Ottavino is healthy again.

The bullpen was the biggest weakness for the Rockies. No matter when he pitches, having a healthy McGee will be a valuable asset to help this team compete later into the season.

Number 17

Mike Dunn: Relief Pitcher Points: 101 Highest Rank: 11 Lowest Rank: 22

The Rockies needed to improve their bullpen more than the Atlanta Falcons needed to improve their second half play. After hiring a manager and Ian Desmond, Mike Dunn was the first free agent bullpen signing.

Dunn is an under the radar signing and should do wonders for this bullpen. He adds another left hand to the pen along with Jake McGee. The Rockies are holding out no expense for their bullpen as Holland was signed to an expensive contract while Dunn will receive a three-year, $19 million deal. Whatever the result, it is nice to see management investing in the bullpen, no matter the cost.

Dunn comes from Miami where he spent the last five years. Last year was one of Dunn’s best going 42.1 innings with a 3.40 ERA and a 6-1 record.

This is not your same Rockies bullpen. Dunn only adds to what should be a aspect for the Rockies in 2017.

MLB: Game two-Los Angeles Dodgers at Colorado Rockies /

Number 16

Jeff Hoffman: Starting Pitcher Points: 101 Highest Rank: 11 Lowest Rank: 23

Jeff Hoffman has the unenviable task of living up to being traded for one of the top five players in franchise history. He has the potential to not only break the starting rotation, but become one of the premiere arms in the rotation alongside Jon Gray.

Hoffman has some things to prove before he becomes a mainstay in this rotation. He finished the season 0-4 with a 4.88 ERA. His last game against the Brewers were a flash of his potential. He struck out seven allowing one run off only two hits.

Last season Hoffman talked about how he thinks debuting in the majors towards the end of the season like Jon Gray did, will be beneficial because he will know what to expect coming into his first full season. He also is talking to Gray and getting advice from him.

These rookies are growing and improving together. The Rockies young pitching is finally starting to be something to look forward to.

Next: Which Players Ranked 21-25

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