Blake St. Ball: Colorado Rockies extend German Marquez
![PHOENIX, AZ - JULY 20: German Marquez #48 of the Colorado Rockies pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the second inning of an MLB game at Chase Field on July 20, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Froxpile-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2019-2F04-2F1005039670-850x560-b0ac1a63217911abb5f0db41b577a390.jpg)
Though the 2019 season is off to a slow start for the Colorado Rockies, a flurry of recent extensions spells good things for the team’s future. The most recent recipient of Major League Baseball’s extension frenzy…Rockies flame thrower German Marquez.
During Colorado’s recent visit to Tampa, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that the Colorado Rockies and German Marquez have agreed to a five-year, $43 million contract extension. The deal would keep Marquez in purple until 2025. Earlier today, the Rockies made it official.
The guys at Blake Street Ball analyzed the deal and what it means for the Rockies going forward:
Last season, Marquez set the franchise record for the most strikeouts in a single season with 230. And if he stays healthy, the right-hander should easily eclipse 600 career strikeouts this season, and he won’t even turn 25 until next spring training.
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Marquez was especially strong in the second half of 2018, pitching to a 2.61 ERA with 124 strikeouts in 14 starts, adding up to a remarkable 12 strikeouts per 9 innings over that stretch.
Marquez’s deal comes on the heels of an eight-year contract for the Rockies superstar third baseman Nolan Arenado announced this spring and another extension last season for star outfielder Charlie Blackmon.
This follows a recent trend not just for the Rockies but around Major League Baseball where more and more young stars are choosing to sign extensions with their current teams rather than risk testing free agency.
Next. Why arms are key to Colorado's success in 2019. dark
Though Marquez is still young, the Rockies feel he is worth the risk of a long-term investment. Considering how much he has steadily improved since being called up, it seems like a safe bet to make. And if the Rockies can keep their young talent around for the years to come, that bet will pay off.