Colorado Rockies: Kyle Freeland’s next steps and their near-future impact

With the Colorado Rockies climbing squarely back into “buyer” status as the Major League Baseball trade deadline slowly creeps up on us, there has been plenty of talk about the Rockies needing to bolster their rotation. However, there is a pitcher currently in Triple-A who will likely be a big deciding factor on exactly what the Rockies do at the trade deadline.

Kyle Freeland, the Opening Day starter for the Colorado Rockies this season, completed his third start for the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes on Monday. It was his best outing since being sent to Triple-A on May 31 as the 26-year-old left-hander gave up two runs and five hits in six innings.

Diving deeper into the box score, Freeland surrendered up two runs in the first inning but then held the visiting New Orleans Baby Cakes scoreless over the next five innings. During those final five frames, he allowed just two hits and walked a batter.

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However, there is more to Freeland’s latest start than just the statistics. There is the fact that Freeland began to finally show signs that he might be turning the corner back into the pitcher the Rockies saw last season and need him to be in 2019. According to reports, Freeland repeatedly kept the ball down in the zone on Monday. That’s big as location haunted him during his 12 starts this season as his ERA climbed to 7.13 and he allowed 16 homers in 59.1 innings. Compare that to last season when Freeland surrendered 17 home runs in 202.1 innings.

As much as Rockies fans want to get excited about Freeland and what’s next, a step back also needs to be taken as you look at his overall work in Triple-A. In three starts, he has allowed 22 hits and 14 runs in 16.2 innings. Opposing Triple-A batters are hitting .324 against him. Overall, those are numbers that simply won’t work in the Pacific Coast League or Major League Baseball.

There is still work for Freeland to do in the minors, so don’t expect the Rockies to rush him back to Denver unless an injury dictates it. Freeland gaining back not only his technique but also his confidence is critical for Colorado’s chances at the playoffs in 2019.

But there’s also something else to consider with Freeland and his progress … and that’s how it impacts Colorado’s view of the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. If Freeland is able to return to the Rockies and resemble his 2018 form, Colorado would view that as a quality addition to the rotation and may not be as aggressive for a starter at the deadline as they might be if Freeland is still struggling to find his footing.

Could Colorado use a veteran presence in the rotation? Absolutely. However, it’s well known that Colorado general manager Jeff Bridich doesn’t like trading off prospects. And, if a pitcher who finished fourth in the National League Cy Young balloting last season can come back, it will bring a strong, left-handed presence to the rotation as the dog days of summer kick in.

What are the next steps for Kyle Freeland? He needs to continue to build on a strong performance and show the Rockies he is mentally and physically ready to return to the Major League mound. How quickly that happens will play a big role in what the Rockies could do at the trade deadline in regards to the rotation.