Colorado Rockies: 3 encouraging numbers from a discouraging June

Kyle Freeland’s June ERA: 3.03

Kyle Freeland is the best pitcher on the Rockies’ rotation, and his numbers weren’t remarkably better or worse in June. But it’s this consistency that makes Freeland such an important arm for the Rockies.

Colorado Rockies

Freeland’s peripherals aren’t amazing. He struck out 19.4 percent of batters in June and allowed 11 walks in five starts. But his ground ball rate was an impressive 53.2 percent. We saw this on display in his fantastic performance against the San Francisco Giants on June 27, when he only struck out four but kept the Giants’ hot bats quiet by inducing ground ball after ground ball.

It’s one reason why his field-independent pitching (FIP) was 3.71 in June, suggesting Freeland’s performances were no fluke.

Rockies pitchers often struggle to adjust to the heat of the summer and long evenings at Coors Field, but Freeland is remarkably composed for a 25-year-old pitcher. Despite sixth-inning issues against Arizona on June 10, for instance, Freeland didn’t implode like seemingly every other Rockies pitcher last month. He showed his composure again on June 21 versus the New York Mets, unfazed after giving up a home run to the second batter he faced.

Next: Where does Kyle Freeland rank among Rockies starters?

Freeland puts the Rockies offense in a position to win on a nightly basis. If the rest of the rotation can do the same, the Rockies could be playing meaningful baseball in September.