Colorado Rockies: Six Veterans Could Be the Key to Bullpen Success

While there has been a lot made of the youth on the mound for the Colorado Rockies, manager Bud Black is liking what he is seeing from a group of veterans who he believes will be the backbone of an improved bullpen.

The Rockies have assembled six late-inning arms with plenty of Major League experience. With Mike Dunn and Greg Holland coming to Colorado in free agency and joining 2016 holdovers Jake McGee, Jason Motte, Adam Ottavino and Chad Qualls, Black believes the Rockies have put together a veteran group that will pay dividends.

“With Dunn, Holland, McGee, Ottavino, Qualls, and Motte, we have six guys who have been battle tested,” Black told Rox Pile. “These guys have been through it, which we like. Healthy Dunn. Healthy McGee. Healthy Holland. Ottavino healthy for a full year. Motte and Qualls bouncing back. We got action.“They have to perform. Those guys know it. We feel as though where they are right now physically, we feel pretty good about that group.”

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No, the Rockies bullpen did not perform well last season. Opponents hit .273 against Colorado relievers last season while the bullpen ERA was a league-worst 5.13.

So how does it improve in 2017? There are two key phrases in Black’s quotes.

First, health is a key factor. All six of the players mentioned above missed significant time in 2016 because of injury, including Holland missing the entire season after Tommy John surgery. Certainly any pitcher needs to stay healthy to be at his best, and it’s one of the reasons that Black has repeatedly said was the main issue for the struggles of Qualls and Motte last season. Can the six names above stay healthy? The answer to that question will tell a lot about the season.

Second, Black is happy with the progression of Holland back from Tommy John surgery. He’s happy with where the six pitchers are now health-wise.

But is it translating into success on the mound? Take a look at their stats through games of March 9. We’ve ranked them by success so far this spring…

Dunn – 3 innings, 0.00 ERA, 0.00 WHIP

Qualls – 2 innings, 0.00 ERA, 0.50 WHIP

Ottavino – 3 innings, 0.00 ERA, 0.67 WHIP

McGee – 2 innings, 4.50 ERA, 1.50 WHIP

Motte – 3 innings, 6.00 ERA, 2.00 WHIP

There is still plenty of work for the Rockies to do in spring training and plenty of time for the bullpen to figure exactly who has what role. Black has said that he wants to slot certain players into certain roles so everyone has a comfort level when the season begins.

Next: Is This Young Candidate Emerging as a Favorite for Colorado's Fifth Starter?

With six healthy veterans to choose from, Black may have some difficult decisions ahead of him. However, that’s a good thing for what Black expects to be an improved Rockies bullpen this season.