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Three names to watch for the Colorado Rockies bullpen of the future

By Logan Whaley

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - APRIL 02: Manager Bud Black #10 of the Colorado Rockies calls for Carlos Estévez #54 from the bullpen to relieve Kyle Freeland #21 during the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on April 02, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - APRIL 02: Manager Bud Black #10 of the Colorado Rockies calls for Carlos Estévez #54 from the bullpen to relieve Kyle Freeland #21 during the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on April 02, 2019 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/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) /

Alexander Guillen, Hartford Yard Goats

Carrying six full years of professional baseball under his belt already, it is a wonder how Alexander Guillen is only 23 years old. Guillen signed with the Rockies way back in 2013, at the young age of 17 years old. He immediately transitioned into the Dominican Summer League where, in his first substantial season, finished with a very good 2.72 ERA across 36.1 innings.

Guillen spent his first three professional seasons in the DSL, posting a 2.46 ERA in 46 games, including eight starts. At 19 years old, Guillen moved to the Pioneer League, joining the Grand Junction Rockies, where he struggled mightily across a minute sample size of playing time.

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In 2016, the Rockies bumped Guillen to Class-A Asheville, where he rebounded admirably. As a 20-year-old, Guillen finished with a 3.40 ERA in 35 games across 39.2 innings. He posted a 26.9% strikeout rate, and lowered his walk rate in the process.

Over the past three seasons, Guillen has posted over an 11.0 K/9 rate, while subsequently decreasing the walks as well as ERA, FIP, and xFIP. This year, Guillen is at Double-A Hartford and is absolutely tearing it up. In 13 games, 27.0 innings, Guillen has a 0.67 ERA, 2.26 FIP, and 2.56 xFIP. He has also significantly decreased his home run rate and his BABIP has decreased quite a bit as well.

Thankfully because Guillen is still only 23, there is plenty of time for him to continue to find his footing as he improves. If Guillen can continue to push the envelope with this level of production, Rockies fans could see him in the Show sooner rather than later. It remains to be seen what his ETA looks like. However that, right now, is irrelevant. Guillen is someone for fans to keep a watchful eye on. Get in on the ground level with Guillen now, before you have to join the bandwagon later.

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