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

Kyle Freeland

We made a bold prediction in our spring training preview article that Freeland would capture the fifth starter spot. He’s done little in spring training to shake us from that opinion.

Through games of March 10, Freeland has made three outings, starting one. His ERA sits at 3.86, with all of the runs he’s surrendered coming in his first appearance of spring in a blistering by the Los Angeles Dodgers on February 28.

However, since then, Freeland has allowed just two hits in five shutout innings. The former eighth overall pick has also not surrendered a walk during that stretch while striking out two.

Need a history lesson on Freeland? Nolan Lees of Rox Pile broke it down this way in this article…

"Freeland had a strong debut in 2014, but his 2015 season was mostly a wash. He developed shoulder fatigue and bone chips in his elbow which pushed his season debut into late July. And when he finally got back on the mound, Freeland’s pitches lacked the command and sharp movement that had made him so effective in high school and college. Freeland had a bounce back season in 2016 though. Colorado challenged him by assigning him to Double-A Hartford, and he responded with a 3.87 ERA in 88.1 innings. When the Rockies rewarded him with another promotion to Triple-A, Freeland continued to throw the ball well, going 6-3 in 12 starts."

There’s plenty to like in Freeland and he will show it off at Coors Field sooner than later.