Four Colorado Rockies pitchers out of options and under pressure

Jeff Hoffman

It seems like every season the Rockies want to see how Jeff Hoffman can fit into the pitching mix. It also seems like every season that the question isn’t answered.

Colorado Rockies

This, however, is seemingly the last year that Hoffman can answer that question for the Rockies. Out of options, Hoffman has to perform this season, whether that’s in the rotation (where he has started 38 of his 52 career games with Colorado) or in a bullpen role (where he hasn’t pitched for the Rockies since 2018).

In his career, Hoffman has been more successful as a starter, although none of the numbers have been overly impressive. Last season, walks became a big problem for the 27-year-old right-hander (giving up 4.4 per nine innings) as were home runs (21 surrendered in just 70 innings pitched, accounting for the third-highest total of dingers allowed on the team).

Those numbers have to be better in 2020. Fans know it. The Rockies know it. Hoffman knows it. This is likely the last chance for the former ninth overall pick in the 2014 draft to shine for the Rockies. He will likely get that chance as the fifth starter or long reliever to start the season.