Colorado Rockies: 3 more questions left unanswered this spring

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DENVER, COLORADO – MAY 30: Starting pitcher Kyle Freeland #21 of the Colorado Rockies throws in the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field on May 30, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Is Kyle Freeland really back?

The answer to this question could be one of the biggest keys to Colorado’s chances at an improved record in 2020.

As we know, Freeland worked in the offseason to make his delivery “more fluid” and took out the pause he exhibited in his first three seasons in the Majors. Through two spring starts, the results of the new delivery were encouraging.

Freeland debuted on February 27 with two innings of one-hit, one-run ball against the Oakland A’s before having to leave with back spasms. He returned on March 8 with three innings against the Cleveland Indians, allowing two hits and one run.

One of the numbers to watch this spring for Freeland is the number of home runs allowed. In both spring outings, he gave up a solo home run. This comes after a 2019 season where the Denver native allowed a career-high 25 home runs. His 2.16 home runs per nine innings rate was the fifth-highest in Major League Baseball and was the highest rate in the National League.

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Even with a change in his delivery, Freeland still has to hit his spots to be successful. So far this spring, he has done that with mixed results. Can his pitch location become even finer in the “second spring training” so Freeland can be at his most effective during the season? We’ll be watching to see.

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