The Colorado Rockies have an elite reliever and he has an incredible story

Since getting another opportunity this year, Oberg has capitalize to the tune of a 1.08 ERA over 41.2 innings, including a sub-.200 batting average against with 38 strikeouts to just six walks.

“I’m fortunate I’ve been able to learn and evolve through my failures,” Oberg said as he described what’s changed. “Learning from mistakes and not getting guys out, it’s allowed me to experiment with the information I’ve gathered for the past four years and apply it to my game. I never stopped thinking about what I’m doing in those moments and learning from myself and my teammates.

“There’s a consistency in my thoughts, I truly believe that I can go out and, no matter the situation or who I’m facing, just believe I have the upper hand.”

Not only has Oberg overcome the personal physical struggles to excel at the big league level, he’s also made his way through a Rockies system which has struggled to develop relievers.

Since Oberg’s MLB debut at the start of 2015, less than a handful of players the Rockies originally signed or drafted have pitched 25 or more innings in relief. It might be the only position where GM Jeff Bridich has failed to acquire in-house talent.

There it is again … Oberg is the standout amongst so many.

“I knew it was going to happen eventually,” Ottavino said on Oberg’s success. “I’m happy it finally did for him. He’s pitched really good for a long time but bad luck and a couple of bad games, he got into a big amount of runs. Up close, he’s been throwing the ball well for a long time. It’s cool to see and he’s important for us too.”