Rox Pile
Fansided

Colorado Rockies: Searching for answers in September call-ups

By Colin Gaiser

PHOENIX, AZ - JULY 21: Garrett Hampson #7 of the Colorado Rockies warms up on deck during the third inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on July 21, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - JULY 21: Garrett Hampson #7 of the Colorado Rockies warms up on deck during the third inning of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on July 21, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
Carlos Estevez of the Colorado Rockies
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 01: Carlos Estevez #54 of the Colorado Rockies pitches during a regular season MLB game between the Colorado Rockies and the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on October 1, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Russell Lansford/Getty Images) /

Digging for pitching prospects

For better or worse, it doesn’t look like a call-up is going to significantly help the Rockies’ struggling bullpen.

Carlos Estevez is still trying to regain his old form. The flame-throwing rightie spent two months on the DL with an oblique strain before heading for rehab in Albuquerque in late June. Don’t mind his 8.00 ERA and 1.94 WHIP — he has just 18 innings on the entire season and 14.1 since returning from injury.

More from Rox Pile

Last season for the Rockies, he pitched 31.1 innings for a 5.57 ERA and 3.84 FIP. But he was a key cog in the bullpen by the end of the season, with eight consecutive scoreless appearances and just one hit allowed in six innings pitched. If Estevez can right himself, expect to see him on the mound in September.

Former starter Jeff Hoffman could make an impact as a long reliever. Hoffman’s six appearances with the Rockies this season ranged from just fine to dreadful, and his inconsistency continues in Albuquerque, where he has a 4.57 ERA in 18 starts for the Isotopes. He continues to struggle with control (40 walks on the season) but hasn’t allowed a lot of home runs at one of the most hitter-friendly parks in the minors. Maybe he’ll be motivated by the urgent need to prove himself as a reliable Major League pitcher.

My dark horse candidate for an impact reliever is 26-year-old Jerry Vasto. He was roughed up in his one appearance with the Rockies, but his ability to strikeout batters and his 1.90 rate of ground outs-to-air outs is ideal for Coors Field. His minor-league resume is impressive, and this season he sports a 2.45 ERA and 1.24 WHIP for the Isotopes.

Next. 4 things the Rockies can do to improve in August. dark

Get ready folks — it’s almost time to “CALL U’MUP!”

Home/Colorado Rockies News