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Colorado Rockies: Looking at 3 Position Battles in the Spring
Catcher: Tony Wolters and Tom Murphy
The Colorado Rockies were expected by many to address the catcher position through trade or free agency. The team did not make any major changes behind the plate, but instead voiced a sense of confidence in the two young catchers on the roster.
Tony Wolters took over last season as the team’s primary catcher after Nick Hundley suffered an injury late in the year. Wolters’ success was a bit of a surprise, as he came to the team as an offseason waiver claim with minimal catching experience. After spending a few years in Cleveland as a middle infielder, Wolters was converted to a catcher and later released by the Indians.
Colorado Rockies
Tom Murphy has been hyped as one of the top prospects in the Rockies system for a while, but has yet to see serious playing time at the big league level. This year he will be given the chance to split time behind the plate, but will ultimately look to supplant Wolters as the full-time starter.
Both players bring different strengths to the lineup, which makes the decision even harder to decide on a full-time catcher. The Rockies, as well as many other clubs, often use two catchers throughout the course of a season. This position battle is a little different than normal.
Tony Wolters is an ultimate team player and fan-favorite as well as a skilled pitch framer and plus-defender. He also brings a sense of energy and speed at the plate which is uncommon for catchers. Tom Murphy could be a franchise caliber catcher if he is able to sharpen his pitch framing ability and solidify his defense behind the plate. At the plate, he offers enormous power and consistency, batting over .300 last year in Triple-A.
If the Rockies choose to go with one catcher moving forward, Tom Murphy should be the favorite to take over. If Murphy is unable to match Wolters’ defense and ability to frame pitches, he could be bumped in favor of the former middle infielder.
Closer: Adam Ottavino and Greg Holland
Two years ago, given the chance to have either Greg Holland or Adam Ottavino close games for a team, it would have been an easy choice. This year, the Rockies face a tough decision at a crucial position.
Holland has converted all but 10 saves over his last three seasons, but missed all of last year while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He was an All-Star closer with the Kansas City Royals for years before joining the Rockies. Greg Holland joined the Rockies this offseason after signing a one-year deal with an option for next season.
Adam Ottavino has a similar story, but has never been an All-Star on a postseason club. After dominating in his relief role with the Rockies in 2015, Ottavino was set to become the closer. Unfortunately, he underwent Tommy John surgery and was sidelined for the entire year. He came back last season and worked a very nice 2.67 ERA while converting on seven of 12 save opportunities.
The team’s closer could be chosen during Spring Training, but Holland has not thrown in a live game yet. He is still on a strict throwing plan, and will continue to face only simulated game situations until he is fully recovered. Manager Bud Black has voiced his opinion regarding the situation, but doesn’t reveal much more than it will remain an open competition until the position is filled.
Holland doesn’t have much experience in roles other than closer, and for good reason. He has been dominant since taking over as the full-time closer for the Royals in 2013, and doesn’t show any intention to shy away from the high-pressure position. On the other hand, Ottavino has shown the ability to be a dominant late-inning reliever and even a setup man for the Rockies.
If Holland still possesses a fastball in the high-90s and a dominant second pitch, he will ultimately become the full-time closer for the Rockies once healthy. Ottavino can become a dominant setup man and give the Rockies’ bullpen a much needed boost in late inning situations.
Fifth Starter: Chris Rusin, German Marquez, Jeff Hoffman, or Kyle Freeland
For starters, a few other names have been mentioned in connection with the final rotation spot, but I don’t see them as real threats to earn the position. Antonio Senzatela, Zach Jemiola, and Shane Carle face an uphill battle in their respective bids to break the Rockies rotation. As for the true competition, three of the four pitchers are top prospects and offer enormous potential moving forward.
Kyle Freeland was selected in the first round of the 2014 MLB Draft, and has rapidly advanced through the minor leagues. He finished last season in Triple-A Albuquerque, where he posted a 3.91 ERA in the hitter-friendly PCL. He spent the first half of the season in Double-A Hartford, where he posted a similar 3.87 ERA. He also faces the toughest odds of the four to earn the final rotation spot, but it is just a matter of time before he becomes a permanent fixture.
German Marquez is another name vying for the final spot in the rotation, and he could earn it with an impressive showing in Spring Training. Marquez was a bit of a surprise after coming over in the Corey Dickerson trade, but he turned some heads after being named the Eastern League Pitcher of the Year, posting a 2.85 ERA in Double-A Hartford. He started five games in Albuquerque before receiving a call-up late in the season. He struggled somewhat at the big league level, with a 5.23 ERA over 20 innings, including three starts.
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The two names with the most to prove in Spring Training are Chris Rusin and Jeff Hoffman. Hoffman was part of the Troy Tulowitzki trade, and is viewed as the second best prospect in the Rockies system, according to MLB.com. He started 22 games in Albuquerque in 2016, worked a 4.02 ERA and struck out 124 batters. He also joined the big league club late in the season, but was unable to earn a victory in his six starts.
The most experienced pitcher of the bunch is lefty Chris Rusin. He spent 2016 switching between relief appearances and spot starts, but he finished the year with a 3.74 ERA and three wins. He would be the easy choice to fill the position, but he may provide more value as a long reliever and emergency starter.
Next: Grading and Analyzing the 2016 Colorado Bullpen
After Spring Training, the Rockies will have to decide on a fifth starter, and Jeff Hoffman should be able to pull ahead with a nice showing in Arizona. Marquez and Freeland will get their shot, but they will benefit from consistent starts in Triple-A to start the season. Rusin is a solid long reliever, and can step up in case of an injury. Whoever wins the final spot will have plenty of competition pushing right behind.