Colorado Rockies: Who Takes The Rotation Spot of Chad Bettis?

German Marquez

Like Hoffman, German Marquez gained valuable experience for the Rockies last season with his first moments of pitching at the Major League level. Like Hoffman, he came to Colorado as part of a trade, this one sending Corey Dickerson to the Tampa Bay Rays.

After a September callup, his first three outings for the Rockies all came out of the bullpen where he gave up six runs and six hits in 5.1 innings of work. The next three appearances, however, were all starts.

Marquez had his best outing in his first start, earning his lone win with a five-inning effort against the St. Louis Cardinals. He allowed just one run and four hits while striking out three and walking one.

As good as that start was, Marquez struggled just as bad in his next start at San Francisco. After 4.1 innings, the Giants had racked up 12 hits (including two home runs) and six runs.

It was a mixed bag for Marquez, who finished with a 5.23 ERA in 20.2 innings of action. This spring, the ERA has climbed up to 7.94 (through games of March 10) and his WHIP stands at 2.12.

Having just turned 22, Marquez still has plenty of ceiling left in his career. He’s also obviously focused on making an impact at the Major League level, having turned down an opportunity to pitch for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic so he could spend more time in Rockies camp.

He has the stuff. He’s proven it at Double-A where he earned the Eastern League’s Pitcher of the Year honor. When it translates to the Major League level, Marquez will make his presence felt on the mound. That could well be this season.