Colorado Rockies: 3 players who deserve an All-Star Game roster spot

It’s not often that the Rockies have to lobby to get a pitcher brought onto an All-Star Game roster. However, as Colorado fans can attest, this is no ordinary season.

Colorado Rockies

While Greg Holland might get a lot of credit for what he does at the back end of a game, Chris Rusin is making a huge impact for the Rockies in whatever way he is needed. The 30-year-old southpaw is having a solid season serving as Colorado’s bullpen glue.

Whatever Rusin has been asked to do this season, he’s done … and he’s done it well. Prior to Wednesday’s game in Pittsburgh, Rusin was 3-0 with a 2.31 ERA in 35.0 innings on the mound this season. Finally able to settle into a role as a reliever, Rusin has seemingly found his groove.

Opponents are hitting just .184 against him this season. That’s well below the career-low .259 average he posted last year. He’s also throwing a career-high amount of strikes, hitting the strike zone with 65.7 percent of his pitches.

Rusin’s season-long appearance also says a lot about what he has meant to the team. On April 13, Jon Gray suffered a foot injury and had to leave the game in San Francisco unexpectedly in the fourth inning. Rusin came in and hurled 3.1 innings, allowing just two hits and one runs, as the Rockies persevered to beat the Giants, 3-1.

When the Rockies have needed him, Rusin has been there this season and performed at a career-best clip. If that’s not worthy of an All-Star appearance, we’re not sure what is. However, his chances are long at best. Middle relievers don’t often get a lot of love from All-Star Game managers. Here’s hoping 2017 is different.