Colorado Rockies: 5 bold predictions for after the All-Star break

Ben Bowden will impact the bullpen in a big way

OK, we know that Ben Bowden has plenty of talent in closing situations (20-for-20 in Double-A Hartford before being moved to Triple-A Albuquerque). We also know that Bowden didn’t show well in his recent Futures Game outing. However, there is still plenty of reason to believe that Colorado’s No. 16 prospect will make an impact in the very near future for the Rockies in relief.

Colorado Rockies

Bowden, the 24-year-old left-hander, is currently not on Colorado’s 40-man roster. However, don’t expect that to stay that way for long.

We predict that Bowden (and his .110 batting average against in the minors) will be called up as part of Colorado’s September call-ups and will play a key role in the Rockies’ bullpen success in the final month of the regular season. Of course, that would leave Jake McGee as the lone lefty in the bullpen until Bowden’s arrival but if McGee can keep performing as he has this season (1.35 ERA), it might just work.

Bowden is absolutely worth the roster move for the Rockies. Could it be at the expense of James Pazos, who has been struggling mightily in Triple-A since being acquired in an April trade? Pazos is currently just one of three left-handed relievers on Colorado’s 40-man roster (along with Phillip Diehl) so southpaws aren’t in great supply.