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Colorado Rockies: Keeping a keen eye on Jack Wynkoop

By Logan Whaley |
DENVER - APRIL 06: Close-up of the baseball cap, sunglasses and glove of Matt Holliday #5 of the Colorado Rockies on the steps of the Rockies dugout during the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field on April 6, 2008 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
DENVER - APRIL 06: Close-up of the baseball cap, sunglasses and glove of Matt Holliday #5 of the Colorado Rockies on the steps of the Rockies dugout during the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field on April 6, 2008 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
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KANSAS CITY, MO – JULY 02: Baseballs on the field before the game between the Cleveland Indians and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on July 2, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Brian Davidson/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – JULY 02: Baseballs on the field before the game between the Cleveland Indians and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on July 2, 2018 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Brian Davidson/Getty Images) /

Born in Virginia Beach, Jack Wynkoop attended high school at Cape Henry Collegiate and eventually went on to the University of South Carolina to play his college baseball. While at South Carolina, Wynkoop started three years before ultimately being selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 2015 draft.

Jack Wynkoop was impressive at South Carolina. He appeared in 50 games, making 41 starts and finishing with a top notch 3.09 ERA. After hearing his name called by the Colorado Rockies, Wynkoop was off to the club’s Low-A team, the Boise Hawks.

In Boise, consequently his first professional season, Wynkoop appeared in 11 games, making nine starts. Across that time, he posted a respectable 4.25 ERA, finishing with a 2-4 record. Still just 21 years old, it was nonetheless impressive and gave Wynkoop something to build further on as he headed for his future.

The following season, Wynkoop improved tenfold while at Class-A Asheville and High-A Modesto. First, while at Asheville, Wynkoop started 14 games, pitching to a 3.47 ERA over 93 innings. Following that, Wynkoop’s encore saw a drop in ERA to just 2.68 over another 14 starts and 77 innings. During this time, he increased his strikeout rate while simultaneously decreasing his walk rate. In this time, Wynkoop finished with a collective 3.11 ERA.

(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
(Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

Finding his rhythm

Over the past couple of years, Wynkoop has seen a ton of really valuable experience at Double-A. While there, he has helped set a ton as a leader and someone younger guys can turn to for advice in his expertise. Still only 25 years old, Wynkoop is set to enter into the prime of his career. Because of this, this time next year he could find himself one step closer to his dream.

As a 23-year-old in his first year at Hartford, Wynkoop saw a small regression. However, he still managed a respectable 4.44 ERA over 150 innings. Making those 24 starts at Hartford gave that experience to Wynkoop as to what it was like to pitch at the next level of professional baseball.

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Last year, unfortunately, Wynkoop took a step back. He started just 16 games and, over that stint, pitched to a less-than-stellar 6.58 ERA, seeing both a drop in strikeout percentage and the walk rate continue to rise.

One very unlucky statistic which went against Wynkoop was his BABIP. The prior season, he posted a .310 BABIP. Last year, it jumped up to .369, which could be a reason for the drop in production.

This season, Wynkoop is off to a decent start. While still having not recorded a win, he currently has a 3.94 ERA over his first three starts and has improved his xFIP from 4.83 last season to 3.88 this year, respectively. Wynkoop has also seen his BABIP go way down, to just a .267. Those are certainly positive steps for the lefty looking to lead the staff this season.

(Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

Working towards “the show”

While it remains to be seen the role Wynkoop will play as he continues to progress through the Rockies’ system, he continues to work diligently to make that dream a reality. Due to the fact he is 25 years old, Wynkoop is just now entering the prime of his career in many regards, which gives him time to improve.

The Rockies are full of young potential currently as well as in their system, and so it may come down to Wynkoop working his way into a bullpen spot at the highest level. In many fans’ eyes, this would be okay. As a staunch lefty, with an ability to have hitters put the ball on the ground, Wynkoop could fill an important role many teams lack in their bullpen.

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Nevertheless, best of luck to Wynkoop as he continues on his journey in reaching Major League Baseball.

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