Colorado Rockies: What are the next steps for Ryan Rolison?

One of Wilson’s biggest messages for Rockies fans heading into 2021? It’s all about tempering expectations when it comes to Rolison and just how fast they will see him on the mound at Coors Field.

“Let’s not forget that he still has some things to do. He still has some experience to gain because he hasn’t pitched a single inning at the higher levels,” Wilson said.

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However, Wilson agreed that there was plenty to be impressed about when it comes to Rolison, and those impressions have built from spring training in Scottsdale to spring training in Denver to the fall instructional league in Arizona. What the Rockies have seen in the University of Mississippi product so far gives hope that Rolison might progress quickly through the minors.

“What is great about Ryan is that he has tremendous aptitude,” Wilson said. “He makes adjustments very quickly. He’s a fantastic strike thrower, and he has a pretty good feel.”

And part of that confidence in his adjustment-making abilities is because of what the Rockies saw from Rolison since the team suddenly had to leave spring training in March.

“I will say he made some great strides this summer and during instructional league on a couple areas of growth for him, which was his changeup, which he is a lot more confident in now, and can use in all sorts of different counts,” Wilson said. “And it’s played up because he also made strides in the area of a fastball with authority to his arm side, and he can really go to his glove side with intent and with command. The glove side has been a work in progress, and he has made a great forward movement with that pitch.”